Pride T-shirts made in Turkey ‘are unethical’

A LEADING LGBT charity and Primark have been accused of being “unethical” after printing Pride T-shirts in Turkey.

Campaigners criticised Stonewall for producing merchandise in a country that has a poor record on LGBT rights.

Steve Taylor, the co-founder of the UK Pride Network and the communications director at Europride, said: “The Primark T-shirts are printed in Turkey, where Pride is illegal, so that is deeply unethical. It is unfair to ask people to do the messages in countries where LGBT rights are a pipe dream and we must not do it.”

‘In Turkey, we are working directly with LGBT rights campaigners to push forward LGBT equality’

Isaac Jordan, an amateur photographer, is hoping to exhibit a photography series on the fringes of Brighton Pride, which starts today, to publicise “an unethical relationship” between Stonewall, Primark and Turkey.

Mr Jordan said: “While it is really positive that big brands are getting behind and supporting Pride, it should not be at the expense of LGBT people abroad who are making clothing for us in the UK but cannot wear it themselves without fear of violence or persecution.”

Louise Smith, Stonewall director of fundraising, said: “In Turkey, we are working directly with LGBT rights campaigners to upskill them in practical ways to push forward LGBT equality, including ways to engage positively with local police forces and the broader legal system.”