*Atlantis Cruise Ship turned away in Turkey and Egypt

[Luv2play]

I just read that an Atlantis Cruise ship with over 1100 gay mostly from the States has been denied entry first by Turkey and then Egypt. Turkey cited moral reasons for the denial to land whereas Egypt, which was chosen as an alternative destination, gave no reason.

Patti LuPone is on board and has spoken out against the actions of the Turkish authorities.The cruise has now made alternative destinations in Greece and the Balkans.

This is certainly not a good development for acceptance of gays in foreign countries. Gays should individually make choices about whether they want to spend their tourist dollars in these countries that discriminate against against them.

[cany10011]

I had no issues when I stayed with my bf at the Istanbul Four Seasons. 

[Luv2play]

1 minute ago, cany10011 said:

I had no issues when I stayed with my bf at the Istanbul Four Seasons. 

How long ago was that? The article said the Erdogan government has recently hardened their attitudes towards gays. 

[BSR]

50 minutes ago, cany10011 said:

I had no issues when I stayed with my bf at the Istanbul Four Seasons. 

I think there is a helluva difference between 2 discreet men (I assume you weren’t wearing just jockstraps or black leather pants with the butt cut out) checking into a hotel room and a 1,900-passenger cruise ship screaming “gay! Gay!! GAY!!!”

I read that the ports that rejected the Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady and its 1,900 LGBT passengers were Kusadasi and Instanbul, Turkey, and Alexandria, Egypt.  @Luv2play, where did you read Hungary?

[Nue2thegame]

24 minutes ago, BSR said:

I think there is a helluva difference between 2 discreet men (I assume you weren’t wearing just jockstraps or black leather pants with the butt cut out) checking into a hotel room and a 1,900-passenger cruise ship screaming “gay! Gay!! GAY!!!”

I read that the ports that rejected the Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady and its 1,900 LGBT passengers were Kusadasi and Instanbul, Turkey, and Alexandria, Egypt.  @Luv2play, where did you read Hungary?

Hungary is land-locked. It’s hard to imagine a ship with 1900 onboard reaching it on the Danube via the Black Sea. 

[Luv2play]

48 minutes ago, BSR said:

I think there is a helluva difference between 2 discreet men (I assume you weren’t wearing just jockstraps or black leather pants with the butt cut out) checking into a hotel room and a 1,900-passenger cruise ship screaming “gay! Gay!! GAY!!!”

I read that the ports that rejected the Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady and its 1,900 LGBT passengers were Kusadasi and Instanbul, Turkey, and Alexandria, Egypt.  @Luv2play, where did you read Hungary?

Sorry. My mistake. It was Turkey I meant, which I put in the headline. Hungary was a brain fart I had. I will correct my text.

[Luv2play]

27 minutes ago, Nue2thegame said:

Hungary is land-locked. It’s hard to imagine a ship with 1900 onboard reaching it on the Danube via the Black Sea. 

There’s my mistake . I was referring to Turkey and have corrected the post. 

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

2 hours ago, Luv2play said:

I just read that an Atlantis Cruise ship with over 1100 gay mostly from the States has been denied entry first by Hungary, and then Egypt. Hungary cited moral reasons for the denial to land whereas Egypt, which was chosen as an alternative destination, gave no reason.

I've been on 2 gay charter cruises that have stopped for overnights in both Hungary and Egypt.  We were instructed on both occasions to take down any flags or other decorations from our stateroom windows, to not use the clothing optional decks, and to keep off Grindr and other hookup apps within sight distance (by binoculars) of these countries lest we face arrest. 

2 hours ago, Luv2play said:

This is certainly not a good development for acceptance of gays in foreign countries. Gays should individually make choices about whether they want to spend their tourist dollars in these countries that discriminate against against them.

I am grateful to have had the good fortune to travel to other countries to experience their history and culture.  But, I am also grateful that we finally got smart to tighten restrictions on visitors who wish us harm.  Let's remember this as Minnesota slowly turns into Turkey or Egypt.

 

Edited July 9 by Vegas_Millennial

[Cooper]

Administrator’s Reminder

This is a very relevant subject. Please stay on topic and stop trying to hijack  it with unrelated cartoons. All have been deleted. 

[nomad]

15 hours ago, Luv2play said:

How long ago was that? The article said the Erdogan government has recently hardened their attitudes towards gays. 

Turkey has become more conservative over the last 20 years.  I have friends from Istanbul that feel this is over simplified in the foreign press.  If you are there waving around a pride flat, you're inviting to be harassed verbally and probably physically if they feel you are disrespectful of their traditions and Muslim beliefs.  If you're going about your own business in a respectful manner, you probably won't even be noticed.  Even though it is a Muslim country, large cities like Istanbul have a good size gay community.  Some incredibly handsome guys there.  One of the legacies of thousands of years of invading forces to control the gateway to Asia and Africa along with the movement of goods (including people).  

Edited July 10 by nomad

[+ nycman]

[Becket]

There was an article about this in the Daily Mail. The passengers seemed shocked, SHOCKED, that some Muslim countries would not let the ship doc.

[wsc]

Spurred by curiosity, I checked the Rentmen listings for Istanbul, and they are extensive - 300+. And with some exceptionally handsome and muscular morsels from which to choose. Not sure how comfortable I would be in hiring as some of the men would fit a dicktionary definition of entrapment. On the other hand, there are several I wouldn't mind sharing a cell with. But then images from Midnight Express creep in and I think, Naw, I don't think so.

But if the government is as homophobic as some would say, I don't see how such an overt display of ads for man-to-man meetups would escape the authority's notice and up-close scrutiny. As theologians might declare, 'tis a mystery!

By contrast, the Moscow listings are understandably sparser. Must take lots of courage, cups of dumbness, or gallons of desperation to openly advertise in such an oppressive environment.

[BSR]

7 hours ago, Becket said:

There was an article about this in the Daily Mail. The passengers seemed shocked, SHOCKED, that some Muslim countries would not let the ship doc.

Just to be clear, I am not laughing because Muslim countries refused to allow a gay cruise ship to dock — that’s shameful.  But that the passengers were shocked — SHOCKED! — well, it’s laugh or cry that people are so naive.

[nomad]

3 hours ago, BSR said:

Just to be clear, I am not laughing because Muslim countries refused to allow a gay cruise ship to dock — that’s shameful.  But that the passengers were shocked — SHOCKED! — well, it’s laugh or cry that people are so naive.

It is not surprising.  Many of us live in bubbles and are not exposed to other cultures with any regularity.  There is a reason why Hawaii is the top destination for vacation.  We like our bubbles.  

[d.anders]

At least Patti has someplace friendly to go now that other places have cancelled her.

[Medin]

Actually the passengers were correct to be shocked.  Gay cruises have been calling on Turkey for many, many years without incident.  I love Turkey and have been probably been there a dozen times and have never had an issue. Istanbul is a fairly liberal place.  The whole country has become more conservative due to the Erdogan policies but the people in Istanbul can't stand the guy.  There used to be massive pride parades until he came into power for example.  I was last there two years ago and there was as much cruising going on as ever and I've never felt unsafe.  The big cities and tourists spots are still very "Muslim light".   The people are not the problem.  It's the government.  

 

[marylander1940]

On 7/14/2026 at 6:27 AM, nomad said:

It is not surprising.  Many of us live in bubbles and are not exposed to other cultures with any regularity.  There is a reason why Hawaii is the top destination for vacation.  We like our bubbles.  

is not so much about living in a bubble but hopeful/wishful thinking about others not being as hateful as they truly are towards us because of our "lifestyle".

2 hours ago, Medin said:

Actually the passengers were correct to be shocked.  Gay cruises have been calling on Turkey for many, many years without incident.  I love Turkey and have been probably been there a dozen times and have never had an issue. Istanbul is a fairly liberal place.  The whole country has become more conservative due to the Erdogan policies but the people in Istanbul can't stand the guy.  There used to be massive pride parades until he came into power for example.  I was last there two years ago and there was as much cruising going on as ever and I've never felt unsafe.  The big cities and tourists spots are still very "Muslim light".   The people are not the problem.  It's the government.  

 

Yes, Turkiye used to be different, unfortunately now it resembles that fucked up region of the world. 

Unfortunately I can't quote  one post by @BOZO T CLOWN in this old thread. 

 

[+ sniper]

6 hours ago, Medin said:

Actually the passengers were correct to be shocked.  Gay cruises have been calling on Turkey for many, many years without incident.  I love Turkey and have been probably been there a dozen times and have never had an issue. Istanbul is a fairly liberal place.  The whole country has become more conservative due to the Erdogan policies but the people in Istanbul can't stand the guy.  There used to be massive pride parades until he came into power for example.  I was last there two years ago and there was as much cruising going on as ever and I've never felt unsafe.  The big cities and tourists spots are still very "Muslim light".   The people are not the problem.  It's the government.  

 

I have no idea but was the ship, say lit up in a way it wasn't previously? I mean, if they've lit up the decks like the rainbow flag this time and didn't previously, that's a failure to read the room.

[Medin]

On 7/18/2026 at 5:44 PM, marylander1940 said:

is not so much about living in a bubble but hopeful/wishful thinking about others not being as hateful as they truly are towards us because of our "lifestyle".

Yes, Turkiye used to be different, unfortunately now it resembles that fucked up region of the world. 

Unfortunately I can't quote  one post by @BOZO T CLOWN in this old thread. 

 

Unfortunately Israel has changed quite a bit too.  As far as I know, the once thriving gay scene in Tel Aviv is down to only one bar. 

[+ BOZO T CLOWN]

9 hours ago, Medin said:

Unfortunately Israel has changed quite a bit too.  As far as I know, the once thriving gay scene in Tel Aviv is down to only one bar. 

Simply not true. In fact, far from it.

AI Overview

 

Tel Aviv is globally renowned as an LGBTQ+ capital and features a vibrant queer nightlife scene. While there is no single official count, sources and community guides estimate the city is home to roughly 30 to 50 active LGBTQ+ and gay-friendly venues. 

Because Tel Aviv's scene focuses heavily on rotating "party lines" rather than strictly traditional clubs, venues often host specific gay-oriented events on different nights of the week. 

Top recommended venues and party lines to check out include:

• MASH Central: Located on Allenby Street, this is a staple in the scene and offers a welcoming, central spot.

• Dreck: Known for hosting legendary pop-house and themed events.

• Shpagat: An iconic local bar featuring a popular dance floor, outdoor patio, and lively atmosphere.

• PAG & Gaze: Well-known party lines that host high-energy, city-wide techno and house events throughout the month. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

 

As of 2026, there are dozens of gay bars and clubs. The gay beach, known to locals as Hilton Beach, because of it proximity to the Hilton Hotel, brought back memories of Fire Island. The gay community is thriving in Tel Aviv and all of Israel. Compare that to the situation in fundamentalist-run Turkey

 

Tel Aviv Pride Parade 2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCveFkG5of0

 

BTC
🤡

[marylander1940]

12 hours ago, Medin said:

Unfortunately Israel has changed quite a bit too.  As far as I know, the once thriving gay scene in Tel Aviv is down to only one bar. 

Even if it had allegedly changed.... Israel is still the safest, more accepting, and welcoming country in that fucked up part of the world. Any of us would rather live there especially knowing we won't be placed in jail or executed for being gay unlike in other countries in that region. Its's a fact!

 

2 hours ago, BOZO T CLOWN said:

Simply not true. In fact, far from it.

AI Overview

 

Tel Aviv is globally renowned as an LGBTQ+ capital and features a vibrant queer nightlife scene. While there is no single official count, sources and community guides estimate the city is home to roughly 30 to 50 active LGBTQ+ and gay-friendly venues. 

Because Tel Aviv's scene focuses heavily on rotating "party lines" rather than strictly traditional clubs, venues often host specific gay-oriented events on different nights of the week. 

Top recommended venues and party lines to check out include:

• MASH Central: Located on Allenby Street, this is a staple in the scene and offers a welcoming, central spot.

• Dreck: Known for hosting legendary pop-house and themed events.

• Shpagat: An iconic local bar featuring a popular dance floor, outdoor patio, and lively atmosphere.

• PAG & Gaze: Well-known party lines that host high-energy, city-wide techno and house events throughout the month. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

 

As of 2026, there are dozens of gay bars and clubs. The gay beach, known to locals as Hilton Beach, because of it proximity to the Hilton Hotel, brought back memories of Fire Island. The gay community is thriving in Tel Aviv and all of Israel. Compare that to the situation in fundamentalist-run Turkey

 

Tel Aviv Pride Parade 2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCveFkG5of0

 

BTC
🤡

You and I don't always agree but when it comes to Israel, I'm always on your side!