HAMILTON, Bermuda -- Carnival Corp. has thrown its
considerable weight into the fight against Bermuda's recently reinstituted gay
marriage ban.
In February, Bermuda became the first country to reverse the
legalization of same-sex marriage, when its Domestic Partnership Act was signed
into law, banning same-sex marriage though giving LGBTQ couples similar rights.
Opponents of the law say it creates a separate-but-equal status for gay
Bermudians.
For Carnival Corp., the law means that its Bermuda-flagged cruise
ships on Cunard, Princess and P&O fleets are unable to perform same-sex
marriages at sea.
In a statement last week, the company said it was "disheartened"
by Bermuda's reversal on same-sex marriage and had become "actively
engaged" in efforts by OUTBermuda, the gay rights organization on the
island, which filed a lawsuit challenging the Domestic Partnership Act.
In the Hot Seat
Kevin Dallas, CEO of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, talked about why it is still
better to be gay in Bermuda than in much of the Caribbean. Read More
"Our engagement includes providing OUTBermuda with
financial, civic and public relations support as well as involvement by our
company," Carnival said, adding that it would file an affidavit supporting
OUTBermuda's lawsuit.
Bermuda's repeal drew criticism from gay rights
organizations, including GLAAD, which called on the travel industry to take
action.
When the Bermudian government delayed implementation of the
ban until June to accommodate planned weddings on the island and at sea, GLAAD
CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said it showed "that pressure from the tourism
industry could have tremendous power if they collectively speak out for
marriage equality."
She added that cruise lines "should demonstrate true
leadership and stand for those customers they've courted, by helping to combat
this harmful decision."
On Twitter, celebrities, including Ellen DeGeneres and
Patricia Arquette, have called for a boycott of Bermuda.
"Bermuda just banned marriage equality. I guess I'm
canceling my trip. Anybody else?" DeGeneres tweeted to her more than 77
million followers.
Carnival opposed a boycott and said it was not considering
reflagging its ships, saying the LGBTQ community in Bermuda was concerned that
any reduction in travel to the island would negatively impact the local economy
and people.
"At their urging, we believe it is best to align our
actions with the [LGBTQ] community and others who live and work in Bermuda and
depend on tourism for their living," Carnival said. "We believe we
can have the most significant impact through direct action."
The legislation threatens to undermine two years of
double-digit tourism growth in Bermuda. Between 2015 and 2017, visitor arrivals
were up 30% and visitor spending jumped 50%, with a record 690,000 visitors in
2017 spending $431 million. Its hotel pipeline includes a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
and a St. Regis, and the Rosewood Bermuda recently reopened following a $25
million renovation.
Kevin Dallas, CEO of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, which
spoke out against the legislation, supported Carnival's position.
"Carnival ships are registered here, and their ships
call on Bermuda" he said. "We see Carnival as a valued member of our
community, and their voice is as welcome as anybody's in this conversation."
Dallas said that rather than promote a boycott, Carnival was
"doubling down on Bermuda and getting involved in the debate at a
community level. Personally, I find that unobjectionable."
Dallas also said that Bermuda was being unfairly targeted,
given the number of popular tourist destinations where not only is gay marriage
illegal but where it is also in some cases dangerous to even be gay.
"The last couple of years have seen enormous
advancement for our LGBTQ community in its pursuit of equality," Dallas
said, adding that Bermuda's human rights act prohibits discrimination based on
sexual orientation and that the island allows for same-sex partner immigration
rights and same-sex couple adoption.
"The journey to full equality is one that just about
everywhere that it's played out has been a mix of judicial mandate and
legislative advance and steps forward and steps backward and Bermuda is no
different," Dallas said.