My first reaction upon learning of the arrest of two gay-cruise passengers who had sex on their ship’s balcony in full view of fellow passengers and islanders in Domenica was to think “Guys, enjoy yourselves, but in private, for God’s sake.” Straight sex, gay sex, any sex, these things don’t belong in full view of strangers, particularly strangers in a country where you are a guest.
My second thought was “What the hell were they doing there?” And people are indeed asking why Atlantis Events arranged for a cruise to stop in a country with anti-gay laws. Should they have?
My third thought: Of course gay cruises shouldn’t stop at anti-gay ports. To heck with such ports. They don’t get to earn money from people they hate. Nor should gay people put themselves at risk. No-brainer.
Then I remembered that the best way to overcome homophobia is to encourage visibility. LGBT people in anti-gay countries are generally closeted, therefore they don’t get to know each other and straight people don’t get to know them. Fertile ground for myths, lies, and hatred. Maybe anti-gay ports are where happy, out gay people who can afford cruises should be stopping, precisely because those places need to witness happy, out gay people doing the normal things that people do. (Though of course we Americans lose points with locals when we show up abroad in our big sneakers and our loud, plaintive voices.)
This argument, of course, casts LGBT people in the role of ambassadors. Though we live in parlous times and LGBT ambassadors are sorely needed–hence Dan Savage’s oft-repeated calls for closeted people to come out for the community’s sake as well as for their own–does that obligate anyone? Just because I’m x, one might retort, doesn’t mean I have to engage in x identity politics or convince people not to be prejudiced against x’s as a group. I just want to live my life and enjoy my cruise. [And have sex in my cabin, for God's sake.]
What do you think, readers?
I figure its the participant’s choice, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out why a gay person would travel to where they are not welcome.
While there are good points here, there are other sources close to the men involved that conflict with the reports that they were having sex on that balcony. Indeed, according to some of those sources, one of the men was clothed, the other only slightly less so, and the government of Dominica and the port authorities there willfully picked them out to try to shame all gay people in the country as well as the cruise line.
As with all things, there are two sides to every story, and the truth is probably somewhere in between.
Why spend money in a country that hates you? Boycotts work and I say hit them where it hurts, in the pocket book. Remember, most of the haters are believers who are showing their “christian love” proving that are are truly hypocrites! Another example of what religion will do for you. Religion is truly the scourge of mankind and that is where the hate comes from!
The victims on that ship clearly were not accorded due process. The Captain was witness to nothing, yet declared them guilty. He left the port with the victims still in the violent mitts of their abusers. The victims clearly were coerced into pleading guilty and paying a ridiculous fine, which doubtless got shared between their island attorney and the judge. They were told one thing when they agreed to pay the money, and another after they paid it and were jailed. The real issue here isn’t specifically gay-related, but rather, how cruise ship companies treat passengers when foreign criminal justice systems don’t give those passengers due process of law. Why didn’t the Captain think to call the State Department to defend his passengers’ human rights? You don’t declare somebody guilty before they’ve had a fair trial.
No … pretty simple … why support their economy?
Great article. As for the men who were nude on the balcony (while the ship was docked), they need to learn a little class and keep it behind closed doors. I know how it can be when you’re on vacation, but come on. Show some respect for others and for yourselves.
To answer Evan’s question: I agree that visibility is best. We should go to whatever countries we choose to go to without limiting ourselves. LGBT visibility combined with tourist dollars seems to have somewhat of a soothing effect upon many people. It’s good for us because it makes treating us well in their interest.
It doesn’t matter if you’re in an affirming environment or in a place where anti-gay laws exist. There is such a thing as decorum. Obviously these men have no self-respect nor do they have respect for our community as a group. If I had been on that ship or in that port, this gay man would have reported the indecent exposure and the lewd acts myself. I wish my people would grow up.
Gay sex is not merely frowned on in Dominica, it is a FELONY. It was grossly irresponsible for Atlantis to take a gay cruise ship into a hostile port.
How many sets of binoculars were pointed at that ship looking for gay people to make examples of?
I don’t even like spending my money with homophobic businesses here in the States. Why in the names of the Goddess would I want to give my hard-earned dollars to a bunch of f-ing homophobes? I’d rather see them starve.
Most areas in the United States don’t allow public nudity (even with no sex involved), so why complain about what other countries are doing? Common sense should be everyone’s guide, wherever you go. These two guys weren’t using their common sense.
Having been on a gay cruise, I know that they have areas on the ship that allow for nude sunbathing. However, this is when the ship is out to sea, not when it is in port.
And as for the commenter that said that they were deprived of “due process”, yes, you are right. But that is the rule in the United States. It may not be the rule in other countries.
People need to educate themselves on the customs and laws of other countries, whether it be public nudity or spitting on the street.
And finally, Atlantis cruise line isn’t your Mommy. Be a responsible adult.
I agree, I think visibility is best. It’s far easier to discriminate against people when they’re invisible. You also need safe integration with people outside the community.
It seems pretty silly. Why stop where you’re likely to face hostility? In particular, why give your tourist dollars to bigots?
[...] they were surprised that Atlantis Events takes the gay cruise to anti-gay countries, something that critics online have pointed to as [...]
okay i have a question are we also supposed put uganda on our tourist destination. Yes they shouldn’t have been having sex in public but my understanding is they were charged with buggery and threatened with a physical examination to prove that. I also assume they were treated less harshly then say some poor gay person without the benefit of american citizenship. The buggery charge is because of the fact that they had gay sex period right? These bigots make these laws that basically are saying that gay ppl are persona non grata and they should have to deal with the consequence of that decision = no gay tourist dollars. This idea that if they see some well to do gays spending money that it’s going to make them repeal archaic sodomy laws is laughable why should they if they get our money anyway? The treat of losing business is the catalyst not some warm feeling they are going to get because the gay couple gave everyone a nice tip. Lastly and more importantly to me I spend quite a bit of time making sure that what money i do have doesn’t get used to make ammunition to hurt me and my people.
[...] they were surprised that Atlantis Events takes the gay cruise to anti-gay countries, something that critics online have pointed to as [...]
atlantis is only looking to make a buck. I’m sure they don’t care what country they travel to as long as people want to pay. as a gay traveler I go to places I am going to feel comfortable going to not a place I can be thrown in jail just for being me. these guys had a lapse of judgement. no excuse but it’s no different when that straight couple got arrested in Dubai or Bahrain for making out on the beach. know the laws of the place you are going to
I say we send them bustards on a cruise to a deserted island and “lose” the boat, that way they can leave us alone with their bullying and their anti-freedom agenda. I would be one of the many proud killer of fags as they have no room in this world. Death to fags!
The fact is that when people (gay or straight) go on cruises they tend to do things like drink, eat too much, and not think about where they are. The idea that these gay cruises go to anti-gay ports is just stupid and asking for incidents like this to happen. There’s a lot of criticism here of the two men on the ship–but I don’t think there actions are outrageous considering the circumstances–THEY WERE ON A CRUISE and a cruise that encourages outrageous behavior it was the responsibility of the cruise to warn people, but it would have been better for them not to go in the first place.
By bullying and anti-freedom agenda Michael means gays criticize bigots for attaking gays and oppose his freedom to deny gays the same rights he has.
Michael, you know a couple of studies have shown that people who are strongly anti-gay are that way because the are same sex attracted themselves and they fight the external representations of same sex attraction in order to help them fight their internal struggle with who they are.
Your non-sourced studies are ironic, I recall that being a stereotype a decade or so ago. It’s all about hate, and it’s al gagsl over America and them fags keep submitting their hate speech and slander of good people. They need to be stopped and i’m taking them out one at a time
Okay can someone track Michael’s IP adress and report him to the FBI? This is ridiculous.
Michael, would you mind being less of a creepy troll?
You’re right Michael, its all about hate – you hating your own same sex attactions:
http://www.petertatchell.net/lgbt_rights/homophobia/bigots_are_buggers.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/29/opinion/sunday/homophobic-maybe-youre-gay.html?_r=2
It is not hate to try to help you accept yourself. The American Psychological Association says those who accept their gayness are happier and better adjusted than those who do not.
The haters are the ones trying to deny gays the same rights they have. Clearly hate is overwhelming you and clouding your mind to the point where you can’t see straight – you need help.
And speaking of ironic, Michael, don’t you find it ironic that you accuse gays of hating you but it is you who is threatening to kill them?
There is nothing good about those you defend, Michael. what needs to be stopped is your terrorism and theocracy efforts. Your influence wanes, and all your blustering will be for naught. You can play Internet Tough Guy here all you wish, but you are doing a very poor job of hiding the fear of your dream of absolute dominion over humanity being beyond your reach.
@Michael “death to fags” does that mean lesbians are okay?
Oh yeah emma, all “straight” guys know lesbians are hot.
I’ll be waiting with bated breath for Michael’s response to Priya Lynn’s “sourced studies”. You asked for ‘em Michael: Whaddya think, buddy?