Gender and the publicness of the 'street': 'Street' experiences and practices of queer individuals in Istanbul

This study examines the changing meaning of the concept of "street" for queer individuals living in Istanbul through the relationship between gender and urban public spaces. The main aim of the study is to examine the impact of political and social processes in Turkey, especially the dynamics of "street" on the lives of queer individuals in Istanbul and the way they perceive and use public spaces. In the study, various social functions of streets throughout history, urban social movements and the relationship between power are discussed from the perspective of LGBTI+ persons. In the context of the research methods and ethical frameworks of feminist and queer theories, in-depth interviews are conducted with queer individuals living in Istanbul, focusing on the change in the participants' relationship with the street, Pride Marches, their activism practices and their expectations from the street. The study reveals that the relationship of queer individuals living in Istanbul with the street is affected by cultural norms, cis- heteronormative structures and discriminatory practices, and that the banning of events in public spaces such as Pride Parades and the Covid-19 pandemic process complicate the struggle of LGBTI+'s existence in public spaces and limit their visibility. The study questions how public spaces can offer a more inclusive, safe and egalitarian experience in the context of gender relations. Keywords: Gender, LGBTI+, Urban public space, Street.