Patti LuPone has expressed her outrage after learning that an LGBTQ+ cruise ship, on which she is scheduled to perform, has been denied entry to Turkey. The news broke as the ship prepares to set sail on July 5 through July 15, with the cruise aimed at celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.
Patti LuPone's Reaction to Cruise Ship Ban
In an emotional post on Instagram, LuPone stated, "I am shocked. The Atlantis cruise I am performing on next week has been banned from entering Turkey. A ship — a magnificent ship — full of gay men. And me. Denied entry to Turkey simply because of who is on board." She went on to express her determination to continue with the voyage, saying, "I am furious, but I am sailing, as the ship will make other ports of call."
LuPone's performance is part of the Virgin Voyages ship Scarlet Lady, and she emphasized the importance of performing for the passengers who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, stating they "deserve so much better than this."
Response from Atlantis Events CEO
Rich Campbell, president and CEO of Atlantis Events, also expressed his disbelief over Turkey's decision. He remarked, "It’s pretty stunning, to be honest. I mean, and the reasoning behind it is that it’s a gay group. It’s very concerning to me when a country decides they can pick and choose which tourists are allowed in and which are not."
