gaycation

How to Stay Safe & Healthy on Your Gaycation

by
Gay Coyple - Peter Minkoff

The world is rapidly changing when it comes to how our colorful community is treated and welcomed across the globe. There are now more safe and secure places for your gaycation than there ever were, and thanks to those changes, we can now enjoy travel more than ever. This liberating, eye-opening experience of immersing yourself in new cultures, exploring what it means to be gay in different regions and their authentic gay scene, it’s all alluring in its own way. However, safety should always come first!

Now, due to the global pandemic that has put most travel to a stop, or at least reduced it to a minimum, we all need to take different precautions, stay safe, and protect other travelers while on the go. Here, we’ll cover a few gaytastic safety and health ideas to keep in mind for your next queer travel adventure, whenever it may be, so that you can put your own mind at ease and keep all those around you safe, as well.

Choose your destinations carefully

Some cultures are more open-minded and gay-friendly than others, and in order to stay on the safe side of gay travel, it’s wise to choose cities and countries where all things gay flourish! From NY Fire Island, to Tel Aviv in Israel (yup, the Middle East can surprise you!), you can take your pick from a wide array of gay-perfect spots around the world.

The occasion for your travel can also define your choice of destination. This year, many gays have decided to spend their Thanksgiving in Mexico’s Puerto Vallarta, since local venues are not just perfect for the occasion, but they also follow COVID-related rules and regulations, making your travels safer and healthier all around.

Pick healthy and safe activities 

Gay Couple - Peter Minkoff

Now that the pandemic is still in full swing, completely changing how we perceive travel and how we organize our activities, you need to plan your trip according to the latest government recommendations. That said, in addition to having access to a range of venues that are within their right to work and provide their service, you can organize your trip to spend more time outside, in the fresh air.

For example, hiking in a national park of your choice can help you discover beautiful natural spots with your partner, spouse, or your kids. Other outdoor activities can also help you make the most of your trip during these trying times, but also infuse your travels with rewarding activities that will keep you safe.

Keep an eye on your health

Awareness is one of the most important factors in the travel equation for 2020 and the following year, so if you want to keep traveling and stay healthy, there are certain precautions you should take. For starters, check what kind of health screening protocols you should follow for different destinations. Add to that, keep track of potential coronavirus symptoms to spot the earliest signs of infection and seek medical help.

That way, you will be a mindful traveler and you’ll prevent spreading the virus during your travels. Even though your tests might be negative when you board the plane, you should always listen to your body and isolate yourself in case you do start feeling feverish, fatigued, or feel any other symptoms associated with the virus. 

Discover gay-friendly accommodation and tours

Gay Man - Peter Minkoff

Has it ever happened to you that you’ve booked a room or an apartment only to discover that you and your partner aren’t welcome on the premises? Well, being gay while away can be risky when you don’t do your homework, so it’s best to look for types of accommodation that openly support the LGBTQ+ community and that make it clear you’re welcome.

Add to that, you should look for specialized gay tours in your destination, so that you truly have a taste of the local gay scene in its full glitz and glory. From South African safaris meant for your gayest self, all the way to island-hopping in Greece, you can turn your adventure into a gaylicious one in a heartbeat. 

Mind your behavior abroad

Being openly gay is, in some countries, an actual legal conundrum, meaning that you can get sent to jail if you publicly show affection to your partner. Are you allowed to hold hands and kiss in public? What about staying in the same room?

While it is smart to choose destinations that support public expressions of your sexual preference, if you do pick a country where these things are illegal – arm yourself with knowledge, be mindful of your surroundings, and always stay in line with the law.

Whether we like it or not, we have a long way to go when it comes to fully ensuring our rights to free expression of our love and affection. Different countries treat the LGBTQ+ community differently, so if we want to make the most of every journey, it’s up to us to do some research, prepare properly, and be mindful of the environment that we’re about to visit. With that taken care of, you can safely enjoy your travels and discover the world in all of its beauty. 

Staying Fit on a Summer Gaycation

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gay men by pool - Upsplash photos - free

In this environment, it’s very challenging for a gay guy to be perceived as handsome. Not because he isn’t, but because it’s very tough to keep up with the body goals the society puts on us. Summer might be the most challenging season of them all, though, mostly because it’s very common to see shirtless guys showing their guns and their abs, so more often than not, we can feel a bit self-conscious about our own body. 

So, what are we supposed to do when we have a gaycation coming our way? Do we play it cool, embracing our own bodies, and showing the world that everyone’s beautiful in their own way? This is one way to play this game, but there’s also the option of doing whatever it is in your power to stay fit and give your body a chance to look amazing. Take a look at some of the tips that we have for you – perhaps you won’t be the next Chris Hemsworth, but it definitely won’t hurt!

You always start with a plan

Everything new you want to start, planning it out is the first step, and this is not an exception. Proper organization can help you out tremendously. That’s why it would be a great idea to come up with a plan of what you want to achieve and until when, write it down, think about all of the things you have to do, or give up on to meet your goals.

But don’t forget that one of the crucial things here is to be realistic, as staying fit and changing your body is not an easy task. There’s so much you will have to give up on, so much dedication and hard work. The right organization will also help you calculate for how long you have to stay on a specific dietary regimen, how often you have to go to the gym, and what you need to do when you’re at home.

Use the things that can help you out

Next up, think about the external factors that can help you out, such as the services of different professionals or equipment you might need but won’t find at the gym. First and foremost, if you can afford one, go with a personal trainer. It’s always good to have some help by your side, and it’s even better when it’s coming from a professional. Moreover, bear in mind that it’s for the reason that professionals came up with different kinds of supplements. These are here to help you make your transformation process better and faster, so why not opt for the best whey protein on the market and make sure that your results are visible quickly? If you’re skinny and you need more muscle mass, this will help you out. If you have mass but simply want to form your muscles, this is the way to go. Who knows, perhaps you’ll be the next big OnlyFans superstar!

Mind your diet

Not even one fitness decision comes to life without giving up on what we all love so much – sweets and junk food. Yes, sometimes this food is tasty; other times, it’s simply easier to grab a hamburger then cook at home, but know that abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym. To improve your diet, you will need to be very organized and actually go shopping for the products that you need and cook in advance so that you always have fresh and healthy food to eat. You can also opt for a nutritionist’s services if you don’t know what food is good for your body and blood type. Another way to play this game is to have a consultation session with your personal trainer. What is very important to note is that you don’t always have to jump on this bandwagon all at once. Start slow; baby steps can be very helpful. Cut down on all the unhealthy food that you eat, and slowly start introducing proteins, vitamins and plenty of vegetables.

It might be quite difficult to make the idea of changing your body for the better come to life. This requires a lot of dedication, determination and hard work. And most importantly – stay true to who you are, stay positive, and always be satisfied with your body. Not all of us were born to be fitness gods, but we can do several things to provide us with a better version of ourselves.

Peter is a gay lifestyle writer at Queer Voices magazine. Follow Peter on Twitter for more tips.

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