Gay passengers and crew

[cunardqueen]

  I wonder whether, in the early years, gay crew members were able to be open about their sexuality? 

Dare l suggest a topic..."Queens onboard a Queen" .No perhaps not.. But as a very good friend of Dorothy l always had a great time... and that was as a  passenger. I remember being told many, many years ago by a waiter onboard QE2 and her gay side. "QE2 Oh she was named by the Queen, Launched by the Queen and is run by Queens"

 Certainly in my early trips proved a real eye opener in that side of life, and as a passenger you could be quite open, heck some of the crew left no doubts as to just how close a friend of dorothy they were... and if you ever got "invited" to castaways...
Perhaps on that note enough said..

Then again QE2 always had & still does have a huge loyal gay following. And consider that only recently a well know gay travel agency chartered QM2 and they then sold the berths. 

Take it from little old me, there is nothing quite like a Cunard Queen

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Here you are, Myles! 

For the time being, I have moved the topic to Passenger and Enthusiast memories, as this is how you started it, Myles -- but please, crew members, do let us have your views and your memories too.

Myles, I am glad to hear that she was a gay-friendly ship for as long back as you can remember -- that must have been a bit exceptional at the time.

[Rob Lightbody]

There is a book to be written sometime about gay culture going a looooong way back on the ocean liners, even when it was totally taboo/illegal etc.  The Cunard Queens - all 6 of them - are no exception!

[Stowaway2k]

There is a book to be written sometime about gay culture going a looooong way back on the ocean liners, even when it was totally taboo/illegal etc.  The Cunard Queens - all 6 of them - are no exception!

That book has been written...
http://www.amazon.ca/Hello-Sailor-hidden-history-life/dp/0582772141

and the Merseyside Maritime Museum even had an exhibit based on the book

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/exhibitions/gaylife/

For the time being, I have moved the topic to Passenger and Enthusiast memories

or, is that "Passengers and Enthusiastic memories"?       


.

[Davina]

The QE2 crew had a good share of gays, i had no problem with them as long as you make it clear to them that you werent one.My first cabin mate was gay, he was the best cabin mate i every had.

[Davina]

Just a note, lesbians could to found between the female crew to.But thats another story 

[cunardqueen]

  There is a book to be written sometime about gay culture going a looooong way back on the ocean liners, even when it was totally taboo/illegal etc.  The Cunard Queens - all 6 of them - are no exception! 

Might be cheaper on ebay, l just placed an order..