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Statecraft · Dispatch · PoliticalDeveloping

Turkey denies port to LGBTQ cruise ship, citing 'moral values'

The Zioneer Intelligence DeskUpdated 21:32

Primary source Internal intake · 1 reviewed intake signal · Desk window 21:31–21:32

TL;DR

Turkey's port authorities canceled a scheduled docking for the LGBTQ cruise ship Scarlet Lady in Kuşadası, citing behavior that they said was incompatible with Turkish society and moral values. The ship redirected to Crete and Egypt with 1,900 passengers.

01 · THE DISPATCH

Turkey barred the LGBTQ cruise ship Scarlet Lady from docking in the port city of Kuşadası on Friday, citing moral and societal concerns. The vessel, carrying 1,900 passengers, had been scheduled to dock earlier in the day but was diverted to Crete and Egypt after local authorities revoked its berthing permit. The CEO of the cruise operator said the company had not experienced such a denial in 36 years. The incident drew criticism from international observers, highlighting tensions between Turkey's commitments as a NATO member and EU candidate and its domestic social policies.

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