Turkish orchestra cancels countertenor, Bruno de Sá, after claims he looked ‘too gay’

The Presidential Symphony Orchestra of Turkey has cancelled a scheduled performance with Brazilian countertenor Bruno de Sá, a decision that has fuelled concerns over the country’s tightening restrictions on LGBTQ+ visibility in public cultural life.

The cancellation, reported on 18 February by classical‑music outlet Slippedisc, was accompanied only by a brief, non‑specific statement from the orchestra, and requests for clarification reportedly went unanswered. The outlet noted that “word on the street” linked the move to a wider government crackdown on LGBTQ+ expression. 

Bruno de Sá, whose recent Warner release Roma transvestita has heightened his international profile, has yet to comment publicly on the cancellation. The incident has drawn increasing scrutiny from cultural observers who see it as part of a broader pattern of state‑aligned pressure on artistic institutions and performers.

The orchestra’s decision comes against the backdrop of a sustained and intensifying campaign against LGBTQ+ visibility in Turkey. Over the past decade, the country has experienced a marked erosion of protections and freedoms for LGBTQ+ individuals, with state rhetoric, police intervention and cultural censorship frequently cited by activists.

Human Rights Watch has documented a series of bans targeting LGBTQ+ public events, including a sweeping prohibition on LGBTQ+ activities in Ankara framed by authorities as necessary to “maintain public order”. Such bans have curtailed Pride gatherings and cultural events, contributing to an increasingly restrictive environment for LGBTQ+ communities.

Similarly, Istanbul’s once‑large Pride celebrations have faced repeated disruption and police obstruction. Documentation shows riot police dispersing demonstrators with water cannons and detaining participants at Pride marches. These incidents reflect a shift from tolerance to suppression in public policy and policing practices.

Reports indicate that homophobic rhetoric has increasingly permeated political discourse in Turkey. A CNN investigation described how homophobia has “festered” amid a climate shaped by President Erdoğan’s administration, with LGBTQ+ individuals painted as threats to national identity and morality. This hostile climate has included public attacks, arrests and inflammatory statements by officials.