2 Men Arrested on Gay Cruise in Dominica

I have long advocated that LGBT tourists boycott anti-gay destinations (including Virginia) and instead take their tourism dollars to friendlier nations. The arrest of two men aboard an Atlantis gay cruise on the Celebrity Summit cruise ship underscores why such boycotts are a wise move. The men who were arrested weren't even onshore but instead were accused by "someone on the dock." Moreover, some sources suggest that "having sex" might have in fact been merely holding hands or kissing. One can only hope that after this incident Atlantis will seriously rethink the ports of call on its cruises and leave backward, bigoted destinations like Dominica off the itinerary. The homophobic countries need to be hit where it hurt them most most: in the wallet. If enough cruise lines delete places like Dominica from their sailings and make it clear to locals why they are being boycotted perhaps financial needs will override the bigotry fanned from pulpits. Here are highlights from a Washington Post story on this outrageous bullshit:

Two California men on a gay cruise of the Caribbean were arrested Wednesday in Dominica, where sex between two men is illegal.

Police Constable John George said police boarded the cruise ship and arrested the two men on suspicion of indecent exposure and “buggery,” a term equivalent to sodomy on the island. He identified the men as John Robert Hart, 41, and Dennis Jay Mayer, 43, but did not provide their hometowns.

George said the men were seen having sex on the Celebrity Summit cruise ship by someone on the dock. The two were later charged with indecent exposure and are scheduled to appear before a magistrate Thursday morning. If found guilty, they could be fined $370 each and face up to six months in jail.

The ship carrying about 2,000 passengers departed Puerto Rico on Saturday and arrived in Dominica on Wednesday. It departed for St. Barts without the men, who are being held in a cell at police headquarters in the capital of Roseau.

The pastor of Dominica’s Trinity Baptist Church, Randy Rodney, praised the police for their intervention. “I am very pleased that the police were called in and have arrested the people in question. I have warned about gay tourism and its implications for Dominica,” said Rodney, who is a vocal critic of homosexuality and lesbianism.

The presence of gay cruises in the Caribbean has riled several conservative islands including Jamaica and Grenada, where anti-sodomy laws are enforced with strong backing from religious groups.

According to Cruisemates.com, no gay cruise lines sail to Jamaica or Barbados for fear of homophobia and possible violence. It said other places like the U.S. Virgin Islands welcome gay cruises.

Obviously, Dominica needs to join Jamaica and Barbados on the list of ports avoided by cruise lines, especially those hosting gay cruises.