Key facts
- A cruise ship with 2,000 LGBTQ+ passengers and performer Patti LuPone was denied entry to Turkey.
- Turkish authorities stated the group's behavior was incompatible with societal and moral values.
- This is the first time Atlantis Events has been actively denied port due to passenger identity.
- The ship will now visit Cairo and Crete instead of Turkey.
- Homophobia is prevalent in Turkey, despite homosexuality not being criminalized.
Turkish authorities have blocked a cruise ship carrying approximately 2,000 LGBTQ+ passengers and Broadway performer Patti LuPone from entering the country, citing moral values and societal alignment.
The Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady, on an "epic all-gay voyage" chartered by US company Atlantis Events, was scheduled to dock in Kuşadası on July 7, followed by a visit to Istanbul. However, authorities in Turkey's Aydin province stated the cruise was chartered by groups known for behaviors incompatible with Turkish society and moral values, leading to the cancellation of the ship's arrival.
Rich Campbell, president and CEO of Atlantis Events, expressed shock, noting this is the first time in the company's 36-year history that they have been actively denied port due to the identity of their passengers. He stated that extensive calls with the US embassy in Turkey had not changed the decision. Patti LuPone, who is performing on the ship, shared her fury on Instagram, calling the denial unjust but confirming she would continue with the voyage to other ports.
Historically, Atlantis Events has docked gay cruises in Turkey without issue for the past 25 years. The ship will now make alternative stops in Cairo and Crete. While homosexuality is not criminalized in Turkey, anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment is widespread, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan frequently using derogatory language towards LGBTQ+ individuals. Istanbul Pride has been banned since 2015.
This incident echoes a similar event in 2000 when over 800 gay tourists were prevented from entering Kuşadası.