Asia

The Gay Philippines – Gay Star News

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Manila - Gay Philippines - Pixabay

The Gay Philippines is the most gay-friendly country in Asia, whose gay community has developed its own culture. ‘Bakla’ means homosexual in the Filipino language, while gay people are often considered a 3rd gender.

The LGBT community of the Philippines enjoys the majority of the human rights, especially compared to other Asian countries. Same-sex marriage isn’t legal there yet unfortunately, but it has been discussed several times by the Congress.

In addition to the good living standards of the country’s gay community, Philippines is an excellent destination for gay vacations. You could take your friends or your other half. Gay families are also welcome. The resorts are capable of giving you a full experience of the destination featuring a wide diversity of activities that you can do with your family.

Keep reading to discover some of the most popular gay destinations in the Philippines, and see some of the best gay-friendly hotels and resorts!

By Paraskevas Sklavos – Full Story at Gay Star News

Queer Tokyo – Passport Magazine

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Queer Tokyo
Photo by CASSIDY DUHON PHOTOGRAPHY

As the city gears up to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, new relationships are being constructed between East and West, gay and straight, old and new. These new dynamics are exciting, and the energy is palpable. A few years ago, I went on an international marathon tour. You can learn a lot about a city from how it cheers on its runners. Bostonians handed out plates of oranges and shouted positive encouragements. Tokyoites offered hand-carved chocolates and homemade sushi, and bowed to the runners.

Gay Tokyo offers something unique and different from many other big cities. In Tokyo, the extremely ancient meets the extremely modern, and those juxtapositions play out in everyday life. Photographer Cassidy DuHon and I visited Tokyo earlier this year. During our week there, we met with LGBT rights activists, male geishas, and Japanese drag queens. We sought out the newest luxury hotels and spas, the most popular gay bars, and the freshest slices of sashimi.

Some people say that Tokyo is similar to Taipei or Seoul. On the surface, it may look so, but scratch below the kimono and you quickly find tastes, sights, and sounds in Tokyo that you can’t find anywhere else in the world.

From the moment I boarded the plane to Tokyo from Washington, D.C., the All Nippon Airways (www.fly-ana.com) staff only spoke to me with smiles. At some point I had to remind myself that I didn’t always have to smile back. Auspiciously, I turned on our inflight entertainment to find an LGBT movie called Close-Knit, which tells the story of a Japanese transgender woman and the relationship she builds with her boyfriend’s niece. It’s beautifully directed and includes an emotional scene where the heroine of the story burns 108 colorful wool-knit penises on the beach, symbolically breaking from her former male identity.

By Allister Chang – Full Story at Passport

Five Hilights of the Yangon in Myanmar – Nomadic Boys

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Yangon in Myanmar

Yangon Myanmar is a very cool city. Whilst it has a modern face with trendy bars and fancy restaurants, it has also retained its colonial charm with some of the best preserved buildings from the days of the British Empire. The tea house culture has held strong and let’s of course not forget the standout highlight, the stunning Shwedagon Pagoda.

Yangon used to be the official capital city of Myanmar until 2006 when the government officially proclaimed the newly built city of Nay Pyi Daw as the new capital. Yangon nonetheless remains the cultural and commercial heart of the country as Nay Pyi Daw struggles to attract a similar atmosphere.

These are our 5 favourite not-to-miss highlights in Yangon, which we think every traveller should have at the top of their Myanmar bucket list.

Connecting with Buddha at the Shwedagon Pagoda

The Shwedagon Pagoda is a marvel to behold. It is the main iconic site in Yangon you can’t miss. The main gold-plated dome is so impressive, it will take your breath away. It is topped by a stupa containing over 7,000 diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires.

At 99m (325ft) tall, the Shwedagon Pagoda is Myanmar’s largest temple, and as such, it dominates the Yangon city skyline. It also considered the most sacred temple of the country because it is believed to contain relics of the 4 previous Buddhas.

We visited in the evening around sunset and loved the ambience. It attracts a large number of visitors, both tourists and locals who come to worship. But despite the large numbers, there is a strong feeling of peace and tranquility here, which we did not feel in other temples we visited in our travels across Southeast Asia.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Myanmar Gay Travel Resources

Taking a Gaycation From China

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gaycation from China

China’s LGBTI community are flocking to more rainbow-friendly cities in Asia to vacation and be free to be open with their sexuality. There are about 70 million LGBTI people living in mainland China, but because it is still taboo, many can’t live openly.

The 2016 China LGBT Community Report revealed many mainland Chinese LGBTI people are jetting off to cities such as, Bangkok, Taipei and Hong Kong to let their hair down. Enjoying the cities’ LGBTI scenes is just one reason Chinese people visit them. Many LGBTI people go to Thailand to stock up on the HIV preventative medication PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) or to have gender-affirming surgery.
Sam is a studen in Shenzhen often heads to Hong Kong to hang out with his surrogate LGBTI family.

‘The reason I keep coming back to Hong Kong is because I feel more comfortable here – like I can finally live my real life,’ he told the South China Morning Post. ‘Plus my friends and family on the mainland hardly visit, so I don’t have to be scared of being recognised. ‘Maybe in future, when I have a job and can hopefully move to Hong Kong, I might come out to them.’

By Shannon Power – Full Story at Gay Star News

China Gay Travel Resources

Gay Thailand – The Best Beaches and Islands

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Gay Thailand - Ko Poda

LGBTI people are embraced throughout gay Thailand – not just in the cities!

Thai Islands – Ko Pha Ngan

Sponsored: Ko Pha Ngan in Thailand has its fair share of beautiful beaches, but with much of the interior covered by tropical forest, this is an island which is great for those who like to trek or connect with nature.

The island also has a reputation for being a spiritual location with a number of yoga, meditation, and detox centres on the island. Ko Pha Ngan is also famous, some would say infamous, for the Full Moon Party. Enjoy the party, but do keep your wits about you and exercise caution.

Full Story at Gay Star News

Thailand Gay Travel Resources

Lesbian Thailand – Traveling With My Girlfriend

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Lesbian Thailand

It was one of those hit-you-like-a-lightning-bolt relationships. I’d been planning to go on an extended backpacking trip to Southeast Asia — there would be no return ticket, I would figure it out as I went. My sister was teaching English in Seoul and booked a flight for me and our mom to meet her in Bali for Christmas, which gave me four months to save up money. The day after the flight was booked, things started with Ariel.

Our relationship developed so quickly that we laughed about being stereotypical lesbians (ever hear the joke about what a lesbian brings on a second date? Spoiler alert: it’s a U-Haul); in two months we were going on a road trip to Texas for her sister’s wedding, where I would meet her entire extended family. We spent almost every day together, but my trip loomed over us; I’d promised a good friend that I’d meet her in Seoul in March, so I’d be gone for at least three months. It felt impossible.

When Ariel’s parents got her a flight to Thailand on their flyer miles as a Christmas present, things started to feel slightly less apocalyptic. We would only have to spend a month and a half apart, and then we would get to spend two weeks together on palm-lined beaches before going to visit my sister in Seoul. After a tear-filled Christmas Eve goodbye, I was off, and we were on opposite sides of the planet.

Because email feels sterile to me and we live in the age of instant communication, Ariel entertained my suggestion that we write letters and text photos of them to each other. I even wrote her a few pieces of erotica. Some days we would talk on the phone for hours, and I felt like I was finally getting the teenage romance I’d never had, counting down the days until I would see her again, while going from Bali to Seoul to New Zealand and, after parting ways with Mom, finally to Thailand.

By Maggie Craig – Full Story at Popsugar.com

Thailand Gay Travel Resources

India Adventure Hikes – Breakaway Backpacker

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India village

India is a huge country and there is a lot of room to explore various trails and scenery while you are there. If you want, it’s the perfect playground for hiking enthusiasts. Since a country that big can easily get confusing for a newbie, today we’ll take a look at some of the most exciting hiking trails to try. In the end we hope that you will find this country to be as fun and beautiful as we did!

The Grand Indrahar Pass

This is one of the most popular destinations for hiking in the entire country. This pass is in the Dhauladhar Range in the Himalayans, and you will start your trek at the Galu Temple.

During the journey you can rest at a camping ground, but don’t forget to look around at the Lahesh Caves, which is a place where hikers like to explore. The Pir Panjal Mountains are also something you will see, along with the forests and Deodar and Rhododendron flowers! Your trip will wrap up at Chamba.

One more thing you will see is the Mahesh Kailash peak, which has snow on top and looks amazing! You will want to visit here anywhere from May to October for the best hiking.

By Jaime Davila – Full Story at Breakaway Backpacker

India Gay Travel Resources

Forty Eight Hours in Gay Bangkok

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Gay Bangkok

Last year some 21.47 million people descended on Bangkok; officially the most-visited city in the world. And I was one of them. I think my senses are still heightened from the experience. I remember my first, stiflingly hot evening like it was yesterday. On a chaotic street near the backpackers’ paradise of Khao San Road, my friendly guide, saw me admiring bundles of fresh jasmine for sale. Unbeknownst to me, he bought me some.

When, moments later, he presented them to me, I found the act so unexpected and generous (indeed, Thai people are known for such qualities) that, in my jet-lagged state, I got quite emotional. Then, when I inhaled the thick, perfumey scent, my eyes actually glassed over. I know, I know. Embarrassing, right?

Amid the blare of traffic, the swarms of people, the clusters of black wire hanging like crawling roots above me, I discovered a fleeting inner peace. This, of course, was swiftly interrupted by a stray moped, or colorful tuk tuk, or some such distraction. For me, this moment epitomises the intense, meandering energy of the Thai capital, founded in 1782. A staggering metropolis of 8.2 million people, it has a vibrancy and unpredictability that provokes strong emotions. And emotion hangs heavy in the air here, since the death last year of the exalted King Bhumibol Adulyadej after a 70-year reign.

By Jamie Tabberer – Full Story at Gay Star News

Thailand Gay Travel Resources

Visiting Gay India – Keep Calm and Wander

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Gay India - Alain

Early this year, I had a 10-day trip to India. Yes, I know, for a huge country like India, 10 days is a joke, right? That’s why, I chose to explore New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. These three cities are the usual tourist destinations for those who have little time in the country. They’re called “The Golden Triangle” route due to their location from each other. This tourist route can be done in 7 days – then I went to Varanasi for 2 days and back to Delhi on my last day. Here’s how I explored gay India.

Weather in January/February

I flew there in February – winter time. A light jacket was fine in the morning and in the evening. I survived wearing t-shirts and shorts during the day while exploring the sights.

Taking the trains in India

Do not trust taking trains from one city to another at wintertime. The delays were horrendous and gave me wrinkles and tested my patience. My train from New Delhi to Agra was delayed for 30 minutes – which was fine for me. But, from Agra to Jaipur, our train was delayed for 9 slow hours! Bejesus, my butt almost exploded from sitting down at the filthy train station! The train ride from Jaipur to Varanasi was the worst – 15 hours delayed! It was the longest train ride I’ve ever had in my backpacking life! A total of 24.5 hours were wasted. I lost so much time that I had to limit the places I wanted to go and see. All of these delays have one reason: fog! Or pollution?

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

India Gay Travel Resources

New Delhi’s First LGBT Cafe

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Chez Jerome – Q Cafe

New Delhi’s first LGBTI cafe will leave you hungry for moreChez Jerome – Q Cafe is the first LGBTI cafe in India’s capital, New Delhi. India’s capital, New Delhi, now has its own LGBTI cafe which along with an amazing menu will be a safe space for all people in the rainbow community.

Chez Jerome – Q Cafe has been open since late last year but word is still catching on about this unique space for LGBTI people. Chez Jerome is the brainchild of Sambhav Dehlavi who is also the head waiter and chef.

‘I want this to be a safe space for women, too, for anyone who wants to be part of an inclusive culture,’ Dehlavi told the Hindustan Times. The 27-year-old came out 10 years ago and said that tough experience has given him a great resilience. ‘We first realised about negativity when we came out of the closet. I came out when I was just 17,’ he told The Indian Express. ‘Now that I’ve come through all of it, these tiny hurdles [opposition to the cafe] feel like nothing.

By Shannon Power – Full Story at Gay Star News

India Gay Travel Resources