LGBTQ+ Cruise Denied Entry to Egypt After Turkey Refusal
Following a prior denial of entry into Turkey due to its LGBTQ+ charter, the cruise ship Scarlet Lady has now been refused passage into Egyptian waters. This sudden decision, impacting 2,000 passengers, including Broadway performer Patti LuPone, forced the ship to reroute its itinerary for the second time. While official reasons for the Egyptian ban remain undisclosed, the Turkish authorities cited the cruise being chartered by a group with “behaviors that do not align with the structure of our society and our moral values.” This situation raises concerns that other nations may follow suit, potentially impacting future LGBTQ+ tourism.
John Q. Hosedrinker