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Large numbers of police officers were deployed in Istanbul’s Taksim area to disperse a protest in support of the LGBT rights in Turkey, Sunday. Tension arose between LGBT activists and groups of counter protesters as the demonstrators gathered at the same place. At a certain point, police used tear gas and rubber bullets against a group of LGBT activists, who ran away from the scene through nearby alleys. Public opinion on homosexuality in Turkey has generally been conservative and LGBT people have been widely reported to experience discrimination, harassment and even violence in recent years.