On June 26, 2021, the Istanbul Pride was broken up by police and restricted freedom of assembly and expression for queer people. Recent events in Turkey have also brought about a positive change, with the world talking about the challenges facing Turkish queer people, thanks to a single viral video.
Liana Georgieva led the police cordon during the pride as she said: “Honey, can’t you see, I’m wearing shoes with heels. How will I walk? Of course, slowly.” The video accurately depicts the peaceful demonstration of the Pride participants and the pressure from the police.
Months later, Georgieva recorded a song inspired by the video, noting that she wanted to show her love for the LGBTQI + community with the song.
“I wanted to write a gay anthem because it explained my love for my community, showing how much hope and strength they give me, and I also wanted to point out that the viral video isn’t just for me, it’s for all of us – we do everything for love and freedom” – the singer said.
