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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Gary Nunn

This is what it was like visiting Istanbul’s gay bars after police raids

Gary Nunn outside busy Istanbul gay bar hosting a Bear Week event - (Gary Nunn)

It’s 1:50am and I’m in a queue down some stairs into what I think is a gay club, but can’t yet be sure.

Ahead are several Turkish men. Within this giant complex are two nightclubs; across the street, a huge mosque casts a shadow over the venue. On the ground floor, down a long corridor, is a straight club. The basement supposedly hosts a gay club.

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