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Turkey Denies LGBTQ Cruise Ship Entry, Citing 'Moral Values'
๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Germany /Culture & Society

Turkey Denies LGBTQ Cruise Ship Entry, Citing 'Moral Values'

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Turkey has denied entry to an LGBTQ-chartered cruise ship, the "Scarlet Lady," citing the country's "moral values."
  • The decision by the provincial governorate of Aydฤฑn was announced via a statement on X.
  • The cruise operator, Atlantis Events, has rerouted the ship to Cairo and the Greek island of Crete.

Turkey has refused permission for an LGBTQ-themed cruise ship, chartered by a U.S. company, to dock in its ports of KuลŸadasฤฑ and Istanbul next week. The provincial governorate of Aydฤฑn, located in western Turkey, stated that the decision was based on the country's "moral values."

It is absolutely out of the question that the ship 'Scarlet Lady' docks in the port of KuลŸadasฤฑ.

โ€” Aydฤฑn GovernorateThe provincial governorate of Aydฤฑn announced Turkey's decision to deny the LGBTQ cruise ship entry.

In a statement released on the social media platform X, the Aydฤฑn governorate declared it was "absolutely out of the question" for the ship, named "Scarlet Lady," to dock. The statement characterized the chartering groups as "known for behaviors incompatible with the fabric of our society and our moral values." Provincial governors in Turkey are directly appointed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office.

known for behaviors incompatible with the fabric of our society and our moral values

โ€” Aydฤฑn GovernorateThe Aydฤฑn governorate explained its reasoning for denying the cruise ship access.

Government-aligned Turkish media and conservative voices on social media had campaigned against the ship's planned visit, demanding its cancellation. Following the refusal, pro-government newspaper "Star" and news portal "A Haber" praised the decision. Authorities also closed a bar in Istanbul, which pro-government media identified as the local organizer of the planned event, citing alleged regulatory violations.

The Tour could have been over for some of the Uno-X guys before it had even begun.

โ€” Magnus DrivenesTV 2 commentator Magnus Drivenes described the dangerous incident involving a falling fence near the Uno-X team.

Rich Campbell, president and CEO of Atlantis Events, confirmed the denial of entry, noting it was the first time in the company's 36-year history that permission to dock had been refused due to the passengers' identity. The company has since altered its route, with the ship now scheduled to visit Cairo and the Greek island of Crete. While Turkey's secular constitution does not officially prohibit LGBTQ rights, the government of President Erdogan has increasingly adopted anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, leading to the annual banning or forceful dispersal of Pride Week events and marches since 2015.

It is the first such incident in the company's 36-year history.

โ€” Rich CampbellRich Campbell, president and CEO of Atlantis Events, commented on the unprecedented denial of docking permission.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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