Gay Couple on Atlantis Cruise Arrested Aboard Ship for Sodomy in Dominica

[Guest Magnus]

On Wednesday a gay couple on an Atlantis cruise that was docked on the island of Dominica was arrested for sodomy.

 

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/03/2_men_on_gay_cruise_arrested_i.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2118629/Two-U-S-men-arrested-gay-cruise-Caribbean--gay.html

 

 

My first question is: WHAT THE FUCK IS ATLANTIS CRUISE LINE DOING GOING TO A COUNTRY THAT STILL HAS SODOMY LAWS?!?!?!!!! Are they clueless about their customer base, or do they care more about making money.

My second question is: why would any LGBT person support the tourist industry of such a country with their "gay dollars" ?!?!

 

The comments by the President of Atlantis cruises, Rich Campbell, are REPREHENSIBLE: "Many countries and municipalities that gay men visit and live in have antiquated laws on their books," he said. "These statutes don't pose a concern to us in planning a tourist visit."; "'The guests' actions were unfortunate but minor in this case and have no bearing on our overall guest experience" Is this asshole for real?!?!

 

ATLANTIS SHOULD BE BOYCOTTED for such insensitive comments about LGBT community (i.e. their customers). Especially when their slogan is "the only rule is there are no rules".

[+ FreshFluff]

The President's comment is indeed reprehensible. But, unless this happened before, it's hard to fault Atlantis for going to countries that have such laws on the books when several U.S. states had similar laws until a few years ago.

[+ deej]

The comments by the President of Atlantis cruises, Rich Campbell, are REPREHENSIBLE: "Many countries and municipalities that gay men visit and live in have antiquated laws on their books," he said. "These statutes don't pose a concern to us in planning a tourist visit."; "'The guests' actions were unfortunate but minor in this case and have no bearing on our overall guest experience" Is this asshole for real?!?!

 

I'll admit my first reaction was similar to yours but on reflection I think he's got it about right.

 

The two guys were rutting on a balcony in view of people on shore. Not a smart thing to do in New York harbor (although the worst that would happen would be the cover of the Post), but in a foreign country it's idiotic. These two went looking for trouble and found some. It isn't Atlantis' fault. If they stopped going to countries that don't like gays they'd only cruise from SF to LA to San Diego, and San Diego is iffy.

 

It isn't Atlantis' fault that gay men can't keep it in their pants.

[Steven_Draker]

I'm with Deej on this one. The two dickheads fucking in plain sight on the balcony were looking for trouble and they found it.

 

I've been with Atlantis over twenty times and I have a slightly different perspective on things. Some of these gay men once onboard forget about decency and respecting fellow passengers, crew on board and locals in the port of call. Alas patrons need to be reminded that there's a real world outside the artificial bubble Atlantis is trying to create for a week.

 

I don't blame the Island of Dominica, as I don't blame Grand Cayman in a recent incident. When we visit a foreign country we need to adapt to the foreign customs and show respect for the culture and customs of the people upon whose country we descend.

[nate_sf]

I liked the statement the couple's attorney made in court:

 

'They were struck by the beautiful mountains, the clean and clear fresh air and were having a few cocktails, and so threw caution to the wind,' she told the court.

Now that's positive spin!

 

[+ deej]

I liked the statement the couple's attorney made in court:

 

'They were struck by the beautiful mountains, the clean and clear fresh air and were having a few cocktails, and so threw caution to the wind,' she told the court.

Now that's positive spin!

 

ROFL!

 

Translation: "We were drunk, horny, and stupid." George Michael can relate.

[JT Brooklyn]

I liked the statement the couple's attorney made in court:

 

'They were struck by the beautiful mountains, the clean and clear fresh air and were having a few cocktails, and so threw caution to the wind,' she told the court.

Now that's positive spin!

 

 

Totally Agree with Both Deej and Steven! IF thinking "Screwing in Public" is getting your Monies Worth ya got a Problem!

 

I blame this on the "Sex in Public" Video's..

[Irtwo]

From those pics, neither guy looks to be the age stated. The 41 year old looks way younger and the 43 year old looks way older.

[instudiocity]

I much prefer in flagrate delicto to buggery...LOL

 

Definition of IN FLAGRANTE DELICTO

1 : in the very act of committing a misdeed : red-handed

2 : in the midst of sexual activity

Origin of IN FLAGRANTE DELICTO Medieval Latin, literally, while the crime is blazingFirst Known Use: 1772

[BewareofNick]

The beginning of the article states that the older of the two is actually 53, not 43, even 43 is used throughout the rest of the article.

 

What concerns me is that the cruise line abandoned the men in a country openly hostile to gay men.

 

Nothing excuses the men's behavior....but they could have been killed in Dominica.

[Rick Munroe]

Let's keep the public fucking in Manhattan, where it belongs!

[JT Brooklyn]

Let's keep the public fucking in Manhattan, where it belongs!

 

Indubidably!

[rvwnsd]

...What concerns me is that the cruise line abandoned the men in a country openly hostile to gay men.

 

Nothing excuses the men's behavior....but they could have been killed in Dominica.

 

The cruise line did not abandon the men. The men were arrested and taken into custody by the police. What did you expect the cruise line to do, hold the ship (and the other passengers) in port for the men to be booked and tried? I suspect the process takes several hours, if not days. Even if they did wait, the ship being in port would not prevent any abuse or harsh punishment at a police station or jail. In addition, approximately 2,000 other men were not arrested/incarcerated and presumably wanted to continue on with their vacation. Why should they suffer for the acts of two stupid men who were unwilling to wait until they returned to their cabin to have sex?

[BewareofNick]

The cruise line did not abandon the men. The men were arrested and taken into custody by the police. What did you expect the cruise line to do, hold the ship (and the other passengers) in port for the men to be booked and tried? I suspect the process takes several hours, if not days. Even if they did wait, the ship being in port would not prevent any abuse or harsh punishment at a police station or jail. In addition, approximately 2,000 other men were not arrested/incarcerated and presumably wanted to continue on with their vacation. Why should they suffer for the acts of two stupid men who were unwilling to wait until they returned to their cabin to have sex?

 

In other words, let them fend for themselves and thus decrease the surplus population. I understand that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one, but it seems very callous.

[Luv2play]

From those pics, neither guy looks to be the age stated. The 41 year old looks way younger and the 43 year old looks way older.

 

I agree. If the older of the two is indeed 43, he is obviously burning the candle at both ends! Can't imagine what he will look like in 20 years, if he is still around.

[rguer]

In other words, let them fend for themselves and thus decrease the surplus population. I understand that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one, but it seems very callous.

 

In what way would the arrested men have been helped by holding the ship?

[+ deej]

In other words, let them fend for themselves and thus decrease the surplus population. I understand that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one, but it seems very callous.

 

So when you do something stupid and get yourself arrested in a foreign country you want the airline to hold your return flight on the tarmac while you clear things up? Not gonna happen.

[MiamiLooker]

In other words, let them fend for themselves and thus decrease the surplus population. I understand that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one, but it seems very callous.

 

Perhaps the passengers should have formed a posse and stormed the courthouse.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/03/06/international/06sydney.large1.jpg

 

Seriously, the cruise line isn’t a babysitter. These two nitwits should contact the nearest US consulate if needed.

[ragazzolupo]

Had this been a regular cruise (mostly heterosexual) by Celebrity Cruises, and a 41 year old woman and a 53 year old man openly had sex in public in Dominica, on the ship in plain sight—thus offending the public, and they were arrested for “public indecency” would any of you have defended them?

 

Hell, I would be offended. I would also have been offended by the gay ‘couple’. Dominica may have sodomy laws, but they were charged with and plead guilty to “indecent exposure.”

 

I don’t think boycotting Dominica or Atlantis Events is reasonable in this case.

 

“President [of Atlantis Events] Rich Campbell said Thursday that the outcome of the case would have been the same had it involved a heterosexual couple instead of two gay men.

 

'It had nothing to do with their sexual orientation and everything to do with their public conduct,' he said.”

 

Atlantis Events may, however, wish to re-think their philosophy as stated in one of their ads “The only rule is there are no rules”. Yup, there are so.

[instudiocity]

You're right, except you didn't read the () at the end of their “The only rule is there are no rules”

 

It says: "Within the bounds of good taste and appropriateness, of course."

[ragazzolupo]

You're right, except you didn't read the () at the end of their “The only rule is there are no rules”

 

It says: "Within the bounds of good taste and appropriateness, of course."

 

Actually, I did read it, but the 'coupled couple' were only following the first part, so the suggetion for 'good taste and appropriatness' was mooted.

[Guest Kyle_K]

From Rich Campbell, President of Atlantis Events From The Atlantis Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/AtlantisEvents?sk=wall

....."The guests were never left on their own. We had both representatives from Atlantis and Celebrity cruises with them at all times during their ordeal and had our local representatives look after them last night. Furthermore, we worked closely with the US Embassy in Barbados to assure that their safety was always being monitored.

 

Atlantis had 2000 guests in port yesterday in Dominica and most of them had an outstanding time visiting the country. Celebrity Cruises has been extremely supportive, working with Atlantis to insure these guests’ safety and security despite their detention in Dominica. We commend them for their unwavering support through this incident.".......

 

Too many gay men (imo) still stroll through life with a bath-house mentality and expect others to then turn around and respect them for who they are.

 

This event was not about sexual-orientation. It was about failing to be well adjusted human beings in a complex and often times difficult society.

 

If anyone failed anybody here, it was both of these men, failing themselves. And in-directly, all of us.

[healthguy]

Well put Kyle,

Another simple case of poor choices, and mens crotches taking over their brains. Rand

[gallahadesquire]

... Another simple case of poor choices, and mens crotches taking over their brains. Rand

 

Well spoken, Rand.

[fedssocr1]

While I agree these guys brought it on themselves... I also agree that a gay cruise line should be avoiding these places that actively discriminate against gays. It's one of the reasons I have no intention of ever going to the Caribbean since too many places there are openly hostile to gay people.