Turkey Barred All-Gay Cruise Over 'Moral Values' While Patti LuPone Performs Aboard
Turkish authorities blocked Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady from docking at Kuşadası—part of an all-LGBTQ+ voyage led by Atlantis Events—citing that the group’s behavior did not align with the country’s 'moral values.' The ship, carrying about 2,000 LGBTQ+ passengers and Patti LuPone, was forced to skip Kuşadası and Istanbul and reroute to Cairo and Crete. LuPone expressed shock on social media, while Atlantis officials criticized the decision as unprecedented in its 36-year history.