A boat carrying 2,000 gay tourists is not welcome in Turkey. The CEO of the boat company finds the decision alarming, but Turkey is defending its decision.
A cruise ship carrying 2,000 gay tourists has been denied permission to dock in the Turkish port city of Kuşadası. The decision was justified on the grounds of the passengers” ”moral values.”.
This is the first time in 36 years that Atlantis, a cruise line that organizes cruises for LGBTQ people, has been prevented from docking at a port because of its passengers’ sexual orientation. The cruise ship was scheduled to dock on Monday, but Turkish authorities prevented the ship from entering the port.
CEO of Atlantis Rich Campbell calls the decision alarming and says it is problematic when a country starts choosing which tourists are welcome. The Broadway star Patti LuPone, who was on board to perform, has expressed strong anger over the decision on social media.
The incident comes in the midst of a period in which the Turkish government, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has taken a tougher stance toward LGBTQ people. During a Pride parade in Istanbul in June, at least 50 people were arrested.
THIS COLORFUL cruise will call at ports throughout the MENA region.
Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, and others will welcome this cruise with open arms. :-)
Turkey shows how to deal with the Pride scourge—it must be fought on all fronts.
The flat-chested guys can go about their business in isolation cells.