Ben Cohen Cruises to Combat Homophobia

Former rugby superstar Ben Cohen plans to take his anti-bullying message to the high seas when sails from Rome to Venice in September.

In September, Cohen will take his recently launched Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation's anti-bullying campaign and Acceptance Tour aboard Source Event's Gay Rome to Venice Cruise aboard the world's largest sailing yacht, the Wind Surf. Ports of call for the cruise include Capri, Taormina (Sicily), Kotor (Montenegro), Dubrovnik, and Hvar (Croatia).

Tales of the City author Armistead Maupin will join Cohen on the cruise as a featured guest speaker and released a statement saying, "Ben is heroic in every in every sense of the word. And I plan to tell him personally when we cruise from Rome to Venice."

Last month Cohen, who is straight, announced his retirement from the sport to devote more time to his foundation, which is dedicated to fighting against bullying throughout the world.

Cohen is also interviewed for the cover story of the July issue of the U.K.'s Gay Times magazine.