Turkey has barred the cruise ship Scarlet Lady, carrying LGBTQ tourists from the United States, from entering its ports, CNN reports. The vessel had been due to bring more than 1,000 American tourists taking part in a themed LGBTQ cruise around the Mediterranean.
According to Atlantis Events, the ship had planned to call at Kuşadası on July 7 and then visit Istanbul. After the Turkish authorities’ decision, the route was changed: instead of Turkey, the ship will head to Cairo and the Greek island of Crete.
Authorities in Turkey’s Aydın province said the cruise was organized by groups “known for behavior incompatible with the traditions of our society and our moral values.” They also said that a visit to the province “for an event of this nature” was not possible.
Rich Campbell, head of Atlantis Events, said that in the company’s 36 years of operation it was the first time it had faced a port ban “because of who we are.”
In recent years, Turkish authorities have tightened restrictions on the LGBTQ community. Since 2015, Pride marches have been banned in Istanbul on the grounds of public safety.
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