Gay travel agents for drag cruise: 'Carnival's regulation is NOT an example of discrimination'

• Carnival letter to passengers on drag cruise: 'Refrain from engaging in inappropriate conduct'

Posted to Facebook about 7 p.m.:

Dear Valued Guests and Friends,

We hope that this brief note finds you well.
By now, we are sure that most of you traveling with us on the upcoming Drag Stars At Sea: Caribbean Adventure - Revenge of the Wench have received Carnival's letter regarding their regulations concerning costumes and masks (under which traditional "DRAG" falls under).

We are sympathetic to your sentiments that you have expressed via email and social media. As a gay man who has been partnered for 25 years, I have suffered many forms of discriminations because I am part of the GLBT community. But please take note, Carnival's regulation is NOT an example of discrimination. Carnival is an ally of the GLBT community. Please understand that this cruise could not even be happening on the GLORY if Carnival was not an ally of our segment of society. When they say they are a "family friendly" cruise line they mean it in both the traditional and metaphorical sense of the phrase.

Carnival's "no costumes rule" is NOT meant to be an insult to the gay community. As a gay business, we would not have organized this cruise if they were prejudiced against gay people. This rule goes for both GAY and STRAIGHT passengers that travel on all Carnival cruises. It is in response to the post-911 world we live in. It is meant to protect passengers and guests - NOT to marginalize a few.

Additionally, we know that transgendered members of our community will be aboard with us during this event. Please do not worry, Carnivals rule is not meant towards you. Your right to live your identity is always supported.

Finally, Drag Stars At Sea is a cruise venue for you to meet the stars of RuPaul's Drag Race UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL. Just as you would not go in costume (other than on Halloween) to a club to see them perform, neither should you on the GLORY. Again, our desire was always to bring this incredible talent together in one place for you to enjoy along with all the other benefits of the VALUE of a mixed guest cruise. We pointed out to you that a private charter (and they are excellent cruises) can be DOUBLE what you are paying for this experience. This is an opportunity for your favorite entertainers to shine for YOU! We will of course, still have our parties and events aboard (the rules of which are outlined in your travel package) for you to join in on the fun.

Ultimately, let's use this opportunity to set an example so that all the world can see that the GLBT community can follow rules and regulations just like everyone else. Finally, I want to say from the bottom of my heart, we have done our absolute best in creating this event. We have tried to communicate effectively and bring you the best possible experience, which we believe would not be available to you any other way. At the end of the cruise, I hope you will agree with my sentiment humbly expressed here.

Chuck and I look forward to meeting you on board....we promise you the best time of your lives!

Sincerely,
Al Ferguson

Carnival letter to passengers on drag cruise: 'Refrain from engaging in inappropriate conduct'

• Gay travel agents for drag cruise: 'Carnival's regulation is NOT an example of discrimination'

Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines is in hot water tonight over a letter received by passengers scheduled to take a Drag Stars at Sea Caribbean cruise beginning Dec. 2.

One passenger reported receiving this email from Carnival:

Carnival attracts a number of families with children and for this reason; we strive to present a family friendly atmosphere. It is important to us that all guests are comfortable with every aspect of the cruise. Although we realize this group consists solely of adults, we nonetheless expect all guests to recognize that minors are onboard and, refrain from engaging in inappropriate conduct in public areas.

Arrangements have been made for drag performances in the main theater featuring stars from LOGO TV. These functions will be private and only the performers are permitted to dress in drag while in the theater. Guests are not allowed to dress in drag for the performances or in public areas at any time during the cruise.

Carnival said any passenger who breaks the rules will be forced off the ship, no refunds given.

Here's the full letter:

 

November 26, 2012

Greetings Fun Seekers!

We know you are looking forward to your cruise next month. We're certainly looking forward to welcoming you and your group aboard the beautiful Carnival Glory.

There are lots of special activities planned for your group so we are confident you are going to have a great cruise. However, in order to ensure a fun and memorable time for everyone, we want to take a few moments to make you aware of certain policies and conduct expectations so as to avoid any potential disappointment during your cruise.

Carnival attracts a number of families with children and for this reason; we strive to present a family friendly atmosphere. It is important to us that all guests are comfortable with every aspect of the cruise. Although we realize this group consists solely of adults, we nonetheless expect all guests to recognize that minors are onboard and, refrain from engaging in inappropriate conduct in public areas.

Arrangements have been made for drag performances in the main theater featuring stars from LOGO TV. These functions will be private and only the performers are permitted to dress in drag while in the theater. Guests are not allowed to dress in drag for the performances or in public areas at any time during the cruise.

We're sorry to say that any guest who violates our policies and/or whose behavior affects the comfort and enjoyment of other guests, will be disembarked at their own expense and no refund will be given.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Now that we've taken care of business...let the FUN begin!

See you soon!

Sincerely,

Vicky Rey, CTC
Vice President - Guest Services

I'm awaiting comment from Carnival. I'll update as soon as I receive it.

Twelve men to be executed by Libyan militia for allegedly being gay, reports Gay Star News

GayStarNews of London reports that 12 men "face mutilation and execution for allegedly being gay after being captured by an extremist Libyan Islamist militia."

Click here to read the complete report.

'Two and a Half Men' is filth, don't watch, says co-star Angus T. Jones - paid $350,000 per episode

Posted Sunday and Monday to YouTube by www.forerunnerchronicles.com

POWERFUL!!! The Testimony of the Awakening of the star of the sitcom "TWO AND A HALF MEN" ANGUS T, JONES
This is a MUST SHARE!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jones earns about $350,000 per episode.

About The Forerunner, on Facebook:

The Truth is The Truth!

Mission

-THE FORERUNNER- is dedicated to proclaiming the TRUTH that you need to know! " TO LIVE & TO DIE FOR THE TRUTH" is the moto, and Jesus Christ is our General. He gives the orders...we put in the work! No questions asked. This is a full time job...THIS IS NOT A HOBBY, THIS IS OUR LIFE. The DVD'S, the CD'S, and the BOOKS we sell on this page, sustain us so we can bring the TRUTH to YOU. Feel free to give donations...everything helps!

France's former first lady Carla Bruni backs gay marriage - but not feminism

BY THOMAS ADAMSON, ASSOCIATED PRESS

PARIS -- France's former first lady Carla Bruni says she disagrees with her conservative husband Nicolas Sarkozy and supports a plan to allow gay marriage and adoption.

In an interview with the French edition of Vogue for its December issue, the 44-year-old singer and supermodel said: "I'm rather in favor because I have a lot of friends - men and women - who are in this situation and I see nothing unstable or perverse in families with gay parents."

France's Socialists are pushing a bill that could see gay marriage legalized early next year. Though surveys have found that the majority of French people favor gay marriage, there has been a vocal backlash from religious leaders, voters in rural areas and ex-President Sarkozy's own UMP party.

"My husband is opposed for reasons linked to his political vocation, because he sees people as groups of thousands rather than people we know personally," she told the magazine - which featured a 20-page photo spread of her decked out in designer clothes, harking back to her supermodel days.

Click here to read more.

Benefits fight brings lesbian couple to high court

BY LISA LEFF, ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN FRANCISCO -- Like a lot of newlyweds, Karen Golinski was eager to enjoy the financial fruits of marriage. Within weeks of her wedding, she applied to add her spouse to her employer-sponsored health care plan, a move that would save the couple thousands of dollars a year.

Her ordinarily routine request still is being debated more than four years later, and by the likes of former attorneys general, a slew of senators, the Obama administration and possibly this week, the U.S. Supreme Court.

Because Golinski is married to another woman and works for the U.S. government, her claim for benefits has morphed into a multi-layered legal challenge to a 1996 law that prohibits the federal government from recognizing unions like hers.

The high court has scheduled a closed-door conference for Friday to review Golinski's case and four others that also seek to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act overwhelmingly approved by Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton.

The purpose of the meeting is to decide which, if any, to put on the court's schedule for arguments next year.

The outcome carries economic and social consequences for gay, lesbian and bisexual couples, who now are unable to access Social Security survivor benefits, file joint income taxes, inherit a deceased spouse's pension or obtain family health insurance.

Click here to read more.