Turkey Denies LGBTQ Cruise Ship Port Access Over "Moral Values"

Turkey has refused entry to the LGBTQ cruise ship "Scarlet Lady" in the ports of Aydin and Istanbul, citing the group's association with behaviors deemed incompatible with societal and moral values. The governorate of the western province of Aydın announced that the ship's planned July 7 visit to Kuşadası is absolutely out of the question.

“

It is absolutely out of the question for the ship Scarlet Lady to dock in the port of Kuşadası.

This decision follows a mobilization by conservative voices and pro-government Turkish media, who had campaigned against the ship's docking. Following the refusal, pro-government outlets like Star newspaper and A Haber praised the authorities' move. In Istanbul, authorities also shut down a bar advertised in an Atlantis brochure, reportedly for regulatory violations.

The U.S. tour operator Atlantis Events confirmed the denial, leading to a route change that will now include stops in Cairo and the Greek island of Crete. Rich Campbell, president and CEO of Atlantis Events, stated that his company has never been denied docking permission based on passenger identity before, marking this as an unprecedented incident in the company's 36-year history.

“

It is chartered by groups known for behaviors that are incompatible with the fabric of our society and our moral values.

While Turkey's secular constitution does not officially prohibit LGBTQ rights, the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has intensified its anti-LGBTIQ rhetoric. Additionally, Pride Week events and marches have been frequently banned or dispersed by police in Turkey since 2015, with authorities citing security and public order concerns.

“

Our company has never been denied permission to dock due to the identity of the passengers.