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One Week. Two Very Different Messages for LGBTQIA+ Travellers

Updated: Jul 15


Some weeks remind us that travel is about much more than flights, sunsets, hotels and beautiful destinations. It's about whether you feel welcome, safe, and free to be yourself.

This week brought two very different stories for the LGBTQIA+ community: one deeply upsetting, the other giving many people hope and restoration.

Together, they remind us why visibility, diversity, equality, inclusion and human rights still matter today more than ever. For LGBTQIA+ travellers, the freedom to explore the world should never depend on whom they love or how they identify.

 

When a Journey Is Stopped Before It Begins

Earlier this week, a cruise carrying around 2,000 LGBTQIA+ passengers was refused permission to dock in Turkey. The cruise, chartered by Atlantis Events and operated by Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady, was reportedly denied entry because authorities said the event did not align with the country's "moral values." The decision forced organisers to change the itinerary at short notice.

Just days later, another setback followed. Egypt also refused the ship permission to dock, creating further disruption for passengers and organisers. According to Atlantis Events, this was the first time in the company's 36-year history that a cruise had been refused entry by multiple destinations.

For many people, this wasn't simply an inconvenience. It was a painful reminder that, in some parts of the world, LGBTQIA+ people continue to face discrimination simply because of who they are.

At Sapphic Journeys, we were deeply saddened by these events.

No traveller should feel unwelcome because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. No holiday should become an experience of exclusion and intolerance.

Our thoughts are with everyone on board whose long-awaited trip became something very different from what they had hoped for.

These stories also remind us that, while enormous progress has been made, equality cannot be taken for granted.

Human rights require constant protection. Our community has always found strength by standing together, supporting one another and continuing to speak up for dignity, equality and respect.

 

A Different Message from the Netherlands

In the very same week, another story offered hope.

The Netherlands approved legislation to ban conversion practices, the well-known and feared harmful attempts to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. The country joins a growing number of nations taking legal action against practices that medical and psychological organisations have widely condemned as damaging.

Conversion practices have caused profound psychological and physical harm to countless LGBTQIA+ people around the world.

Many survivors describe lasting trauma, anxiety, depression and damaged relationships with family, faith and themselves.

The idea that someone needs to be "fixed" because of who they are has caused immeasurable suffering among our community.

There is nothing therapeutic about practices imposed to make someone deny or suppress who they truly are. And fighting against and protecting people from that harm is, at its heart, a human rights issue.

The Netherlands now joins countries including Malta, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Canada, which have introduced legal restrictions or bans on conversion practices. Across Europe, there is also growing momentum, with the European Commission encouraging all EU member states to outlaw these abusive practices.

For many LGBTQIA+ people, this legislation represents more than a legal change. It sends a powerful message: we are not broken, we do not need to be fixed, we do not need to be changed.

We all deserve to live openly, safely and with dignity.

 

 What These Two Stories Tell Us

Two headlines. One week. Two completely different messages.

One reminded us that sadly prejudice and discrimination still affect LGBTQIA+ travellers in parts of the world.

The other showed that progress continues, with governments choosing to strengthen protections and recognise the dignity and equality of our LGBTQIA+ people.

Both stories deserve our attention. As travellers, we should stay informed about the places we visit.

As a community, we should continue supporting one another.

And as human beings, we should never stop believing that everyone deserves to travel, love and live without fear.

 

Our Promise at Sapphic Journeys

 

At Sapphic Journeys, our goal is to help our community travel with confidence, stay informed and make the choices that feel right for them. We believe travel is about more than destinations; it's about feeling you belong, creating unforgettable experiences and discovering places where you can truly and unapologetically be yourself.

We'll continue sharing stories that matter to our community, not to spread fear, but to help us travel more confidently, support one another and celebrate every step forward.

Because the world is meant to be explored by everyone safely, and nobody should ever have to hide who they are simply to cross a border. 

Travel with Pride. Connect with Confidence. Belong everywhere.

 

We'd love to hear about your experiences.

Have you experienced something similar while travelling?

Has a country's attitude towards LGBTQIA+ people ever influenced where you chose to travel, or where you decided not to go because of discrimination worries ?

Share your thoughts in the comments. Let's keep the conversation going and continue building a community where every traveller feels safe, supported and knows they belong.

 

This blog is based on reporting from trusted news organisations and official sources available at the time of publication, including The Guardian and official government announcements.

Travel advice, local laws, entry requirements and social attitudes can change over time. While we aim to share accurate information based on trusted sources available at the time of writing, we always encourage travellers to check the latest government travel advice, local regulations and LGBTQIA+ travel guidance before planning any trip.


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