Turned Down by 2 Countries, Virgin Voyages Gay Cruise Called “Wake-Up Call”

Last week was a difficult one for global LGBTQ rights, as a gay male-themed sailing aboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady was turned away from Egypt at the last minute, days after the vessel was refused entry to Turkey.

“We had full approval and they denied us clearance at the 11th hour,” Rich Campbell, the president and CEO of cruise organizer Atlantis Events, told CNN.

Last week, Turkish authorities blocked the Scarlet Lady from docking in two of the country’s ports, with officials claiming the vessel was chartered by groups “known for behaviours incompatible with the fabric of our society and our moral values.”

The ship was diverted to Cairo, but Egypt followed Turkey’s lead and moved to ban the cruise from entering its waters. On Friday, the cruise ship sailed to the Greek island of Crete instead.

After years of progress in many nations, LGBTQ rights have been under attack in the past few years. 

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party has adopted increasingly harsh rhetoric against the LGBTQ community over the past decade. Pride marches in Istanbul have been banned since 2015, citing public safety and security concerns.

In Egypt, human rights organizations say morality laws are often used to prosecute LGBTQ people, including frequent arrests, harassment and the forced payment of bribes.

CNN reports that for some cruise passengers, like UK-based actor Rob Houchen, the bans have been a “real wake-up call” regarding the plight of LGBTQ rights globally.

“Things aren’t getting better, and there needs to be awareness of that,” he said on Thursday on social media. “Look out for all those around you, all those queer people, and keep them safe.”

Another passenger on the ship said it was time for the LGBTQ community to “recommit how we spend our considerable discretionary travel dollars.”

Kyle Olsen, the owner of LGBTQ travel company Hermes Holidays, said the cruise bans reflect a “broader global trend.” 

“We’re seeing a rise in right-wing governments and increasingly conservative political movements, and in many places LGBTQI+ rights are being rolled back as a result,” Olsen told CNN. “The decisions by Turkey and Egypt don’t exist in isolation.”