)Tear gas and rubber pellets marred Pride rallies in Istanbul Sunday as LGBTQ supporters took to the streets in defiance of a parade ban.

The Istanbul governor’s office enforced the ban for the third year in a row, citing security concerns.

“The march will not be allowed for the safety of our citizens, first and foremost the participants, and tourists who are in the area visiting,” the governorship said in a statement.

But revelers were undeterred from attempting to participate in the global day of LGBTQ celebrations despite recent episodes of violent homophobia in the country.