A cruise carrying thousands of LGBTQ+ passengers and Broadway singer Patti LuPone was denied entry into Turkey after local officials said in a press release that the passengers’ behaviour did not “align with the structure of our society and our moral values.”
Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady cruise was bound for Turkey from Athens after setting sail on Sunday on a 10-day excursion operated by the U.S.-based company Atlantis, which offers a range of cruises for LGBTQ+ people.
The ship was scheduled to dock at the Aydın Kuşadası Port on Tuesday, according to Turkish authorities.
“Unfortunately, we have been informed by the Turkish authorities that Atlantis will not be permitted to dock in Kuşadası or Istanbul during this voyage,” Atlantis wrote in a statement on its website.
“As a result, we have had to alter our sailing itinerary somewhat,” the statement continued, adding that other stops, including Alexandria, Egypt, and the Greek island of Crete, would remain on the schedule.
“Both ports have excellent opportunities for exploration and enjoyment and have been favourites of ours for years.”
The company’s Instagram is packed with posts of passengers soaking up the sun, attending huge parties on the ship’s top deck and enjoying all kinds of onboard shows, from standup comedy to drag.
Turkish authorities claimed in their statement that the cruise’s presence was causing “great discomfort in various segments of our society.”
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“It is absolutely out of the question for the said group to come to our province with an organization of the specified nature,” it went on.
Rich Campbell, the president and chief executive of Atlantis Events, told USA Today that Atlantis has docked gay cruises in Turkey, Istanbul and Kuşadası 13 times over the past 25 years.
Global News reached out to Atlantis for a statement but did not receive a response.
Meanwhile, LuPone, a renowned Broadway singer and Tony Award winner performing on the ship, took to Instagram in protest of the Turkish authorities’ decision.
“I am shocked,” she wrote. “The Atlantis cruise I am performing on next week has been banned from entering Turkey. A ship — a magnificent ship full of gay men, and me. Denied entry to Turkey simply because of who is on board.
“I am furious, but I am sailing as the ship will make other ports of call. I am ready to perform for all the wonderful men on this Atlantis cruise, who deserve so much better than this.”
Campbell told CNN that in its 36 years of operation, this was the first time authorities had “actively told us we may not berth here because of who we are.”
“It’s pretty stunning, to be honest,” he added. “I mean, and the reasoning behind it is that it’s a gay group. It’s very concerning to me when a country decides they can pick and choose which tourists are allowed in and which are not.”
In his statement to USA Today, Campbell reiterated that staff had made a concerted and continued effort to negotiate with Turkish port authorities and emphasized that the cruise was not associated with any political organization or group and was like any other ship docking in the country.
“It’s not like we’re not a gay pride rally, we’re not a march, we’re not an organization, we’re not a political statement in any way. The cruise was advertised a year ago; it’s not new,” he told the American outlet.
Homosexuality is not criminalized in Turkey, but there are no antidiscrimination laws protecting LGBTQ+ people and Pride, which used to take place every year in Istanbul, has been banned since 2015.
I have it on good authority from a friend on ship that it’s happened again. The ship was denied entry from Egypt (Alexandria) late last night and is now rerouted to Crete and Montenegro.
It’s their country, their rules. If they don’t want the business then all cruise ships should avoid Turkey on the grounds that the tourists are not welcome and would be in danger from locals.
And yet Canadastan allows mu sl im ter ror ists to live among us.
Someone famous once said “get over yourselves, you’re not that special”.
Protest all you want, temper tantrums are just silly. If a country doesn’t want you there, that’s their choice.
Uh-huh, another classic Roy Stephenson comment. Anonymous and Ben and many many others.
The country our inclusive leaders decided to meet in?
Meanwhile, Turkish tourism is airing countless ads on internet begging people to visit. Not a good look.
By using the Name Anonymous when you comment your letting us all know your ashamed of your sick lifestyle.
I believe the LGBTQ community amhad about 40-50 years left in Canada. Then Canada will be a predominantly Muslim nation. Sadly LGBTQ rights will begin to diminish, as will
Many Canadian rights. And most of the community voted Liberal…
If you are LGBTQ stay in your own country and celebrate your month. You clam bumpers & pipe smokers.
I hope you don’t get a refund cause you missed Turkey!
All of you butthurt people here – you are all idiots. Don’t go to another country and start telling them what’s what. Better yet – don’t go to a Muslim country and openly broadcast you’re gay and expect acceptance. And before you start bashing Islam – maybe get your heads examined.
95% of the population in Turkey identify as Muslim. The reality of racist Islam is front and centre… fasten your seatbelts Canada!
Why on earth would a cruise ship with LGBTQ+ people go to Turkey anyway? That’s ridiculous. You can’t have gay people in a Muslim country. They come here to be gay. You know how many Muslim men I fucked in the ass?
And they were ALL homophobic. All you homophobic commenters. Drop your pants. You know you want it. Closets queers.
@Sean Point taken. My comment was mostly referring to some commenters.
Hey Ben,
I’m not sure that I would call Muslims in Turkey “puritans’? If I understand correctly they are a distinctly different movement.
Who cares who people sleep with? Why are some people so interested? It’s a weird obsession. Those people need to get over their freaky religious puritanism!
Canada could learn a thing or two from Turkey.
I’m so f *ucking stupid I had no idea all these muslim countries in the world are fundamentally against any and all LGBTwhatever people.
Turkey border control: There is a cruise ship full of Canadians coming out way!
Turkey government: We have to keep those rodents out! What excuse can we make?
Turkey border control: Maybe we just say that they are gay and use that as an excuse.
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VERY GOOD, THE WAY IT SHOULD BE !!! SHOULD BE DENIED EVERYWHERE !!!
Maybe they should’ve called ahead? I’m pretty sure there are gay Turks out there.
Meanwhile in other news Carney is whining & dining with the Turkish government “Hypocrite “
“It’s very concerning to me when a country decides they can pick and choose which tourists are allowed in and which are not.”
LOL Every country in the world has that authority.
Why would anyone straight or twisted wants to go to these humanity hating countries!
Stay away!
To the straight commentary. If you were barred solely because you’re straight you’d be pissed too. The problem is straight homophobic bigots period.
Haven’t straight people done enough damage to the world/earth for the last 2500+ years? Look at the state of affaires, entirely because straight people are the ones in power almost everywhere. Thanks for the utter mess you’ve created. I wouldn’t be proud if I were you.
Who would want thousands of LGBTQ people disembarking in their country. Not many!
You all miss the point. Its their country and they have laws they abide by. Just because your a tourist does not mean you have the right to be there. The alphabet crew complaining again, what else is new. Suck it up and move on.
why is she only performing for the men???
Would they be furious if a ship was denied entry because the passengers were all older men with 12 year old ‘wives”? Would they be as furious if the ship contained people who believed themselves to be vampires and drank blood?
Keep in mind that many cultures, including Christian cultures have their holy books stating we should stone those who are gender confused. Be happy the ship is just turned away, and not everyone aboard arrested(or worse) for breaking local laws.