The cancellation of the Rosie O’Donnell cruise to Bermuda has become the hot topic on gay websites around the world.

Homosexuals from the US to Australia are discussing the issue as an example of homophobia in the 21st century.

It is more than a week since the gay and lesbian family cruise, chartered by US television presenter O’Donnell’s company, was called off, yet the story continues to make headlines.

It has been reported as far afield as in Russian newspaper Pravda, the UK’s Daily Mail, the Washington Post and Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald.

Meanwhile international gay websites are receiving comments such as: “This island needs to realise it’s 2007 not 1907” (gay Bermudian ‘Brian’), and “I say good for them, why go give tourist dollars to a place where you are not welcome?” (‘Sam’) — both on towleroad.com.

Among the responses to the story on Pinknews.co.uk, Europe’s biggest gay news website, was this posting by ‘Starman’: “I can assure you that the vast majority of Bermudians are not homophobic at all... and the passengers on Rosie’s cruise will be warmly welcomed here in our typical world-renowned friendly manner.

“It’s just that the so-called ‘Christian’ homophobic folks here make the most noise.”

O’Donnell’s company, R Family Vacations, cancelled the July 12 visit to Bermuda out of concern the Norwegian Cruise Line ship would be met by protests from the Island’s churches. It feared a repeat of an incident in Nassau, the Bahamas, in 2004 when children on board were upset at dockside anti-gay chants by religious groups.

Despite calls from Premier Dr. Ewart Brown asking the company not to pull out, representatives said “we are concerned with some of the churches’ comments and we did not want our guests to experience a similar situation to what occurred in Nassau”.

Bermuda’s interfaith group United By Faith — an affiliation of 80 churches — made R Family Vacations uneasy after chairman Andre Curtis told The Royal Gazette: “We may just choose to pick them (the passengers) up by bus and bus them to our church, to different denominations, and have the pastors pray for them.”

After the Island was dropped from the cruise itinerary last Monday, the group then claimed it was “a victory for God”.

News of the controversy spread around the globe, raising concerns it would harm the Island’s image as a tourist destination.

Dr. Brown, Minister for Tourism and Transport, reassured the media that Bermuda “welcomes all”.

In a statement he said: “Bermuda is a democracy that welcomes all people of all races, colours, creeds and sexual orientation. While the Government of Bermuda has done everything we can to welcome the Rosie O’Donnell-hosted cruise, we understand and respect their decision, however saddened we are by it.

“We stress to the international community the Bermudian Government’s position of inclusion and acceptance of all who wish to visit our beautiful and friendly country.”

However, Mark Anderson — drag queen Sybil Barrington and self-styled Queen of Bermuda — said the cancellation of the cruise may have cast the Island in a negative light.

He said: “I really believe it could damage tourism. In the new Millennium this is basic human rights. I think it’s really sad.

“Look at all the ships we’ve got coming here — there are gays and lesbians on these ships already and they’re just coming here to enjoy themselves and to see the Island.

“Why can’t Rosie and friends come to Bermuda and enjoy its beautiful hospitality and the lovely people of Bermuda? Isn’t that what Bermudians built this Island on?

“It’s unfortunate a viewpoint by a minority should be allowed to depict a majority, who are otherwise tolerant and accepting, in a negative light. Also keep in mind the world is watching and the damage has been done. It’s all over the Internet.”

Gay cruise cancellation stirs up global debate