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

From Die Presse · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Turkey denied port calls to an LGBTQ cruise ship, citing the country's "moral values."
  • The decision, made by provincial authorities, was influenced by conservative voices and pro-government media.
  • The cruise operator altered its route, and a bar linked to the event was also closed by authorities.

Turkey has denied planned port stops in KuลŸadasฤฑ and Istanbul to an LGBTQ cruise ship, with authorities citing the nation's "moral values" as the reason for the decision. The cruise operator subsequently rerouted the ship.

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

โ€” Aydฤฑn GovernorateThe governor's office in the western Aydฤฑn province explained the reasoning behind denying the cruise ship port access.

The decision came after conservative voices and pro-government media mobilized on social media, demanding the cancellation of the ship's visit. The governor's office in the western Aydฤฑn province stated it was "absolutely out of the question" for the ship "Scarlet Lady" to dock in KuลŸadasฤฑ on July 7. The office cited that the ship was chartered by groups known for behaviors incompatible with the fabric of society and moral values.

Pro-government outlets like "Star" newspaper and "A Haber" news portal praised the decision with disparaging remarks. Additionally, authorities closed a bar in Istanbul, which pro-government media identified as a local organizer for the planned event. The Istanbul governor's office stated the bar in the BeyoฤŸlu district was shut for alleged regulatory violations.

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

โ€” Aydฤฑn GovernorateThe governor's office further elaborated on why the LGBTQ cruise ship was denied entry.

Rich Campbell, president and CEO of Atlantis Events, the U.S. tour operator, told CNN that his company had never been denied permission to dock due to passenger identity. He described it as the first such incident in the company's 36-year history. While Turkey's secular constitution does not officially prohibit LGBTQ individuals, the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has intensified its anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, with Pride Week events and marches facing restrictions in recent years.

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

โ€” Rich CampbellThe president and CEO of Atlantis Events commented on the unprecedented nature of the denial for his company.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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