Egypt Denies Entry to Cruise Ship Carrying LGBTQ Passengers

Egypt denied entry to a cruise ship carrying nearly 2,000 LGBTQ passengers, following a similar decision by Turkish authorities earlier in the week. The ship had originally planned stops in Kuşadası and Istanbul. Turkish officials cited moral values when refusing permission to dock.

Organizers then sought permission to dock in Egypt.

Egyptian officials also declined the request. A video posted online showed one passenger expressing disappointment and suggesting that a celebrity might intervene.

Turkey and Egypt are Muslim-majority countries. Reports indicate that legal and social restrictions on LGBTQ activities exist in each nation. The same social media post noted that Israel permits such cruises, though the vessel did not attempt to dock there.