• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

Man Who Fell From Cruise Ship Did So After Anti-Gay Taunts from Crew, Lawyer Says

Andy Towle November 8, 2015 Leave a Comment

Bernardo AlbazThe attorney for the family of a gay New York City man who was swept to sea after falling from the balcony of a Royal Caribbean Cruise ship off the Turks and Caicos late Friday night says the man fell after an anti-gay altercation with the ship's crew, and his disturbing fall to the lifeboat was not the result of a domestic argument and suicide.

The man lost at sea has been identified as Bernardo Elbaz, who was vacationing with his husband of one year, Eric, WPLG Miami reports.

Bernardo Elbaz

The Sun Sentinel reports:

In a statement issued Friday, Royal Caribbean said that crew members spotted Elbaz “intentionally going over the side of the ship.”

In an updated statement cruise line officials later added, “Our onboard security team responded to the guest's stateroom after a neighboring guest complained about a domestic dispute on the guest's balcony. “Our staff did not have a physical altercation with the guest and were unable to prevent his jumping from the stateroom balcony.”

Attorney Michael Winkleman says that while Elbaz was intoxicated, the fall was not the result of a domestic argument, and wasn't a suicide as the cruise ship has claimed.

Said Winkleman in a press conference today:

“Royal Caribbean is saying this was a domestic dispute and a suicide. It was anything but that. There was a big altercation at the Solarium Bar. As a result of that, Bernardo went back to his room and was furious…Royal Caribbean security comes on the scene and as a result of an altercation in his cabin, ends up somehow falling off the balcony onto the lifeboat area…I could see how from a media perspective Royal Caribbean would rather be in this scenario where somebody jumped overboard than something directly implicating their security staff. There clearly appears to be a negligent rescue that was undertaken. In my eyes, more importantly than that is the anti-gay remarks that were made against these two gentlemen.”

Watch the WPLG report:

In a (warning: disturbing) video of the Royal Caribbean incident posted to YouTube, a distressed man is heard accusing another of being a “murderer” and saying, “because of you this happened,” and pleading with Albaz to “hold on” until he releases his grip and plunges into the ocean.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mdQ8rgHepI

The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for Elbaz.

There is an UPDATE to this story:

UPDATE: New Video Shows Gay Man Arguing with Cruise Ship Staff Before Plunge to Sea: WATCH

Topics: Uncategorized More Posts About: Bernardo Albaz, Cruising, Royal Caribbean, Travel, Travel: Cruising

Related Posts
  • Miami: Active, Sporty Getaway To An LGBTQ-Welcoming Destination Fighting To Stay That Way
  • White House plans new system for international travel, contact tracing rules
  • 11 Must-See Miami Spots for Gay Travelers with Children
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Mel B will “always be open” when it comes to her sexuality. The Spice Girls singer, 48, who reunited with her bandmates including the group's ex-singer Victoria Beckham for the fashion …Read More »
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Megan Thee Stallion is being sued for allegedly creating a hostile work environment and forcing her cameraman to watch her having lesbian sex. The 29-year-old ‘Savage' rapper faces the salacious claims …Read More »
  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Jonathan Bennett's life was “changed forever” by his role in ‘Mean Girls'. The 42-year-old actor starred as heartthrob Aaron Samuels in the 2004 cult classic – which followed Lindsay Lohan, Rachel …Read More »
  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass a gift basket after he came out as gay. The 44-year-old NSYNC star revealed the legendary singer showed his support when Lance decided to reveal …Read More »
Previous Post: « Another Seal Has Been Caught Taking a Ride on a Whale: WATCH
Next Post: Hillary Clinton Lays Out LGBT Promises in Speech to SC Equality: WATCH »

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent

  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

    Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

  • Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

    Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

  • JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

    JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

  • Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

    Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

Partner Links

  • Immorality And More
    Open thread below... read more
  • Randy Rainbow visits with Kelly Clarkson
    “She wanted to raise the gayest kid on Long Island!” Comedian […]
  • Song of the Day: 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart' by Saint Etienne
    Today marks exactly 35 years since the release of Saint Etienne's […]
  • Baldwin Isn't Fire, But She'll Keep A Simmering Heat On RFK Jr.
    Earlier this month, Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin confronted RFK, Jr, about […]
  • Remains of the Day (05/28)
    Out: Benito Skinner teases "Overcompensating" season 2 storylinesCBS News: Infant fatally […]

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy
[towleroadmr] [towleroadtn]

Footer

Ptown Hacks 2018

Read

  • Travel
  • Film
  • Law – LGBT Rights
  • Columns
  • Specials

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in

×
×