When an Islamic country like Turkey refuses to allow an American LGBTQ-themed cruise ship from docking at any of its ports, despite being scheduled in advance, none of you LGBTQ apologists for Islam say a damn thing. In other words, NO JEWS, NO NEWS!
CNN (h/t Mary C) Turkish authorities have banned a cruise ship catering to American LGBTQ+ travelers from docking in the country’s ports, citing “moral standards” and “family values,” the CEO of the events company behind the upcoming Mediterranean tour said Thursday.
The “Athens to Venice” cruise, which departs from Greece on July 5, was expected to dock in the vibrant Turkish port town of Kuşadası two days later, followed by a trip to Istanbul, according to Atlantis Events, which is organizing the voyage.
But in a controversial move, local authorities in Turkey said they have canceled the “event” as the ship – which is expected to host more than 1,000 passengers from the US – was chartered by groups “known for behaviors incompatible with the fabric of our society and our moral values.”
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party has adopted increasingly harsh rhetoric against the LGBTQ+ community over the past decade, sparking condemnation from rights groups. Authorities have banned Pride marches in Istanbul since 2015, citing public safety and security concerns.
Rich Campbell, the president and CEO of Atlantis Events, said it was the first time in 36 years that the company has been “actively told the an LGBTQ cruise ship could not berth here because of who we are.” Authorities in Turkey’s Aydin province, where the port of Kuşadası is located, said there is “absolutely no possibility of the group in question visiting our province for an event of this nature.”
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