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The President of Türkiye called the UN General Assembly decorations like they carried an LGBTQ message. Photo/UN
NEW YORK – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was not impressed with the bright color palette used in the design of the UN General Assembly meeting room. He claimed the design looked too similar to the LGBTQ rainbow pride flag.
“One of the problems that bothers me the most… is that when you enter the UN General Assembly, you see LGBT colors on the steps and other places,” Erdogan told reporters at the Turkish House in New York, reported by RT.
“How many (people) are LGBT in the world today? “However great the rights they have in these measures, those who oppose LGBT also have the same rights,” said the Turkish leader.
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He added that he wanted to speak with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres about the presence of the colors, and stated that “this is a humanitarian issue and we need to know that there are people who are disturbed by this.”
Erdogan was apparently referring to the 17 different colors representing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are used as decoration on the walls and stairs of the General Assembly hall. Erdogan, who was re-elected to a third term in May, frequently attacked the LGBTQ community during his campaign speeches, while presenting himself as a staunch defender of traditional family values.
Same-sex relationships are not illegal in Turkey, although in recent years authorities have effectively cracked down on LGBTQ symbols and themes. Closing down LGBTQ organizations was part of Erdogan’s election campaign platform.
(ahm)