Should gay cruises stop at homophobic ports?

[Robinson Cruisoe, Mrs]

A gay/lesbian cruise charter to the Bahamas has sparked a fierce debate.

The islands are well known for their poor record on LGBT rights, which raises the question - was it wise to charter a gay cruise there?

The cruise, aboard NCL's Norwegian Sky, is due to take place in April after the second annual Pride Parade Parade and Expo in Florida.

The Bahamas does not have a law against discrimitation against gay people, and a series of anti-gay incidents has sparked international concern. They include picketing of Rosie O'Donnell's Family Holiday cruise, a ban on the screening of the film 'Brokeback Mountain', and the aquittal of a man who used 'gay panic' as an excuse to murder a man who was HIV-positive.

Human rights organisations often blame the colonial heritage of many Caribbean nations for their poor record on gay rights.

Whatever the reason, it seems they have a long way to come on gay rights, compared with the rest of the western world.

This being the case, would it not be best to avoid chartering gay cruises to this part of the world?

Or do you think these cruises should carry on, in the hope to make a difference by encouraging acceptance and tolerance?

[mundaetraversa, Richmond, VA, USA]

It makes sense to ask clientele on LGBT cruises where they prefer to cruise. It seems logical that it would benefit both the cruise line and the passengers.

I do wish to point out that being gay is not a lifestyle. It is a quality some human beings are born with. Also, please understand that most places in the world do not treat LGBT people equally. A few nations, yes. But most countries - even western ones - have a long road to travel before anyone can reliably assert that gay rights have come to fruition. People are certainly entitled to their opinions, however.

[Peterlg, Halifax]

in certain societies, forms of expressing love which are acceptible in the west may need restraint.believe that time is on your side.

When we visited Israel & Palestine a couple of years ago, we were told, when visiting some sites, that we should not, for example, hold our partner's hand whilst there, the gender of our partner being irrelevant.

[POSH-bird, Bournemouth]

I don't think that gay cruises should be banned from the Bahamas as they desperately need the revenue there. However gay people sometimes feel,I think,that they need to display too much of their lifestyle and behaviour in public which becomes quite obnoxious to the non- participants - that is the problem.

I think the point is to use your pink pound well ie don't spend in homophobic places.

AND

Your point about displaying too much of a lifestyle in public being obnoxious to non participants... when straights dont hold hands in public.. then I will give it up too!!

[Christiaan, Ocean Shores]

You mean the type of gay men that are now wearing make up and wincing around with man bags like you see on x factor and other grotty shows like big brother The world around us is changing rapidly

Yes the world is changing rapidly, it is time to have more tolerance. Think back to segregation of blacks and whites, unmarried mothers , the lack of facilities for the disabled and the stigma of mental illness. There are many, many more examples of those who are different.

Understanding and education have achieved so much for the minorities who had the bad luck to be outside the the idea of those perceived as normal.

Think about about it, none of these conditions is contagious you have nothing to fear.

[Richard, colwyn bay]

I agree with your comments, however I don't think the others are referring to hand holding and caring looks as being obnoxious. They are referring to the overtly sexual behaviour of some gay men, intent on shocking others, just because they can, at events like gay pride. Straight couples just don't do this to the same extent. Unfortunately it is the behaviour of a few that tars the whole gay community with the "promiscuous" brush, when I know it to be so not the case.
Kind regards

You mean the type of gay men that are now wearing make up and wincing around with man bags like you see on x factor and other grotty shows like big brother The world around us is changing rapidly

[johnthed0g, UK]

Doesn't make a lot of sense to go anywhere you are not welcome..their loss.

[Malaga, Malaga]

I agree with your comments, however I don't think the others are referring to hand holding and caring looks as being obnoxious. They are referring to the overtly sexual behaviour of some gay men, intent on shocking others, just because they can, at events like gay pride. Straight couples just don't do this to the same extent. Unfortunately it is the behaviour of a few that tars the whole gay community with the "promiscuous" brush, when I know it to be so not the case.
Kind regards

[liauq, w mids]

a lot of "phobia's" are re-inforced by a lack of knowledge of the real people being replaced by caricatures, so go to these places and prove that you are human just like they are.....but previous posters make sense....in certain societies, forms of expressing love which are acceptible in the west may need restraint.believe that time is on your side.

[Pedrom]

And therein lies your homophobia!

That isn't homophobic.I suspect that thewriter would be equally offended by overtly sexual behaviour by "straights"

[Cooke, Ashby]

I will not apologise for the "obnoxious" way I might hold my partners hand or look at him affectionetly, for I am sure you Hackney must do this to your wife or girlfriend, and I dont find that obnoxious in any way.

I am happy to say that in nearly 20 "non specialist" cruises we have never had any problems, and have met some amazing people of all ages, creeds and colours, and that the only time we felt slightly uneasy was on an RCI ship, as it was so family orientated, our mistake to book it for our Civil Partnership "honeymoon", however RCI gave us the full "honeymoon" package.

You should not need to apologise to anyone. They don't have to watch you!

I'm sure on most non-themed cruises you would just be another couple of passengers. As you say you meet all kinds of people on cruises. I'm encouraged to know that RCI gave you the 'honeymoon package'. Other lines please note! I wish you may more happy years together.

[Garyface, Purfleet]

As a Gay man who regulary cruises with my civil partner of 22 years, I have to say that I would not want to put one penny into the coffers of any backward thinking country and due to that I would not book a cruise to these places.

I have to take Hackney to task about the comments that we put on a show to be seen. The original Pride marches were political, and were definety put on to show people how a minority of the people were discriminated against, and they worked in most civilised countries to help get rid of these outdated laws. However these events are now places where familes and friends of LGBT people can attend and have a brilliant fun filled "Mardi Gras" type day, while still getting points across about the continuing discrimination from certain religions and governments.

I will not apologise for the "obnoxious" way I might hold my partners hand or look at him affectionetly, for I am sure you Hackney must do this to your wife or girlfriend, and I dont find that obnoxious in any way.

I am happy to say that in nearly 20 "non specialist" cruises we have never had any problems, and have met some amazing people of all ages, creeds and colours, and that the only time we felt slightly uneasy was on an RCI ship, as it was so family orientated, our mistake to book it for our Civil Partnership "honeymoon", however RCI gave us the full "honeymoon" package.

[grumpyman, Hampshire]

I don't think that gay cruises should be banned from the Bahamas as they desperately need the revenue

Perhaps the loss of revenue might focus the mind on the cost of their homophobia

[kevs46, manila]

[QUOTE=hackney6907@bellsouth.net, Parkland, .... However gay people sometimes feel,I think,that they need to display too much of their lifestyle and behaviour in public which becomes quite obnoxious to the non- participants - that is the problem.[/QUOTE]

And therein lies your homophobia!

[hat776, malta]

I agree with Hackney - nowadays in most places in the world there is no discrimination against Gays.
I think things like Pride Parade and chartering ships just for gays stresses the fact that they are 'different'. I think gays should, and mostly are, treated just like everyone else.
Would non gays be welcome on board ?