‘Being gay is not illegal in Turkey — but we are targeted every day’

Every weekend Anna Tholia and Florence Konstantina Delight put on their costumes and make-up and take to the stage in Istanbul as drag artists. There are plenty of caustic jokes to be made about President Erdogan’s Turkey.

“There is lots of material for drag in this country. What I do heals me, it keeps me sane,” said Florence, 25. “We can’t lose hope but we also shouldn’t be delusional. Hard days are coming — we know that hate crimes will increase.”

The hate is coming from the top. Erdogan repeatedly targeted LBGT people before May’s elections, accusing them of terrorism and of destroying the traditional family. He used his first victory speech to lash out at them again. Homophobia plays well with his ultra-conservative Islamic