Author Archives: Gay Lesbian LGBT Travel
Walk With Pride – A Straight Couple Promoting LGBT Gay Pride Around The World
“Walk with Pride” is a planned 2010-11 project to photograph and document gay pride parades around the globe. Our aim is to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride on an international level, while highlighting the similarities and differences in gay rights and gay culture around the world.
Charles “Chad” Meacham (Project Photographer)
Charles was born just outside of Philadelphia, PA, and began traveling immediately after high school. He picked up a camera at the age of 30, and has since been privileged to win over 20 international awards including those from National Geographic Traveler, Smithsonian, and PDN magazines. The idea for this project was sparked after months of following the recent debates in America on gay rights issues in the news, and photographing the 2009Taipei Pride event, one of the largest pride parades in Asia.
Sarah Baxter (Project Coordinator)
Sarah Baxter is the blogger for this project, and contact person/organizer. Born in Athens, Ohio, Sarah enjoys traveling, and has lived and worked in Los Angeles, NE Thailand, North Africa, and most recently in Taipei, Taiwan.
THE GOAL –
Fourteen months, over 30 high intensity parades, and one straight couple with the ambitious aim of using photography to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and all sorts of pride on an international level. Through social media they aspire to highlight the similarities and differences in gay rights and gay culture around the world, while surrounded by the frequently “mardi-gras” like atmosphere of the celebrations.
This is a gay issue.
This is a straight issue.
This is a human rights issue.
Walk with Pride blog Walk with pride on FACEBOOK Walk with pride YouTube
HISTORY IS MADE AS MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN D.C. MOVES TO THE HILL
(photo by Philip Blackmon)
STATEMENT FROM MICHAEL CRAWFORD, CO-CHAIR OF D.C. FOR MARRIAGE
ON MAYOR ADRIAN FENTY SIGNING THE D.C. MARRIAGE BILL:
“D.C. for Marriage is elated that Mayor Adrian Fenty has signed the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009, following the overwhelming vote in support of marriage equality by City Council on Tuesday. We are blessed to have the continuing strong and diverse support for marriage equality in Washington, D.C from Mayor Fenty, members of the Council, faith leaders, and residents.
“Having the right to legally marry will have an invaluable impact on gay and lesbian people and our families. Our work has always been about ensuring that every child and every parent in the District has the protection of full equality, so we can strengthen both our families and our community. We are excitedly looking forward to seeing the first couples and their joy as they are finally able to marry, here in the District.
“With today’s bill signing, the District has once again proven its long-time commitment to social justice and equality. We have boldly blazed a trail for the rest of the country by creating a coalition of support among clergy representing many different faiths, and residents of every race, ethnicity and origin in this majority African-American city. Together, we have ensured that the first jurisdiction in the South to make marriage equality law is our nation’s capital.
“As we now focus on defending marriage equality on Capitol Hill, we remain committed to our outreach and education efforts to unify the D.C. community. Our hope is that, as the federal government takes its first look at a local marriage equality measure, Members of Congress will respect the decision made by D.C.’s democratically elected government and not interfere with the enactment of the bill.
“At the same time, the discrimination-promoting groups who stripped marriage equality from our families in California and Maine now have their sights on D.C., and threaten to force a ballot initiative on same-sex marriage, along the lines of California’s Proposition 8 and Maine’s Question 1.
“In D.C., we believe all people and families should be treated equally. We disagree with outsiders who come into our city to advocate for discrimination against our friends and our neighbors. Their efforts will fail here.
“Mayor Fenty’s signing of the bill today may not end the fight, but we will triumph. In a matter of months, the work of so many of D.C.’s residents will culminate in full equality for all.”
DC FOR MARRIAGE
Gay Holiday Cheer – Santa in Speedos
It was a freezing 20 degrees this weekend in Boston for the run. And a balmy(?) 50 in San Franciscio.
Atlanta and Albany joined in the fund-raising as well this year.
Houston Becomes Biggest US city to Elect Openly Gay Mayor
Houston became the largest U.S. city to elect an openly gay mayor, with voters handing a solid victory to City Controller Annise Parker after a hotly contested runoff.
Parker defeated former city attorney Gene Locke with 53.6 percent of the vote Saturday in a race that had a turnout of only 16.5 percent.
“This election has changed the world for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community. Just as it is about transforming the lives of all Houstonians for the better, and that’s what my administration will be about,” Parker told supporters after Locke conceded defeat.
Parker, 53, has never made a secret or an issue of her sexual orientation. But it became the focus of the race after anti-gay activists and conservative religious groups endorsed Locke and sent out mailers condemning Parker’s “homosexual behavior.”
BEST GAY CITIES
Wishing You A Gay Christmas and Happy Holiday Season from Cities Around The World!
CHRISTMAS FROM AROUND THE WORLD!
Above – The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, D.C., is decorated with 3,000 ornaments
that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling evergreens
in the ‘Pathway of Peace’ represent the 50 U.S. states.
Below – A token of gratitude for Britain’s aid during World War II,
the Christmas tree in London’s Trafalgar Square has been the
annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947.
Above – Simple and quaint. Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague’s Old Town Square,
and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous Christmas market,
is a grand tree cut in the Sumava mountains in the southern Czech Republic.
Below – Gay Paris – Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette!
In Paris, even the Christmas trees are chic. With its monumental, baroque dome,
plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it’s no surprise this show-stopping
department store draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.
Above – The world’s largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes
of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy’s Umbria region. Composed of about
500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the ‘tree’ is a modern marvel for an ancient city.
Below – The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall)
can be found in the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal. Thousands
of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special
enchantment of the city during the holiday season.
Above – Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox
calendar on Jan. 7. For weeks beforehand, the city is alive with festivities in
anticipation of Father Frost’s arrival on his magical troika with the Snow Maiden.
He and his helper deliver gifts under the New Year tree,
or yolka, which is traditionally a fir.
Below – A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo’s nighttime neon display
is projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.
Above – Leave it those crazy glass blowing Italians!
Venice ‘s Murano Island renowned throughout the world for its quality
glasswork is home to the tallest glass tree in the world. Sculpted by master
glass blower Simone Cenedese, the artistic Christmas tree is a
modern reflection of the holiday season.
Below – Not the gayest place on Earth!
In addition to the Vatican’s heavenly evergreen, St. Peter’s Square
in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk.
H A P P Y H O L I D A Y S !
Best Gay Cities
And A Few More Christmas – Holiday Photos From Some of Our Favorite Gay Cities!
Millions of people come to Rockafeller Center and New York City at Christmas!
The tree, usually a Norway spruce 75 to 90 feet (23 to 27 m) tall, has been put up every year since 1931.
The decorated Christmas tree remains lit at Rockefeller Center until the week after
New Year’s Day, when it is removed and recycled for a variety of uses.
In 2007, the tree went “green,” employing LED lights. After being taken down,
the tree was used to furnish lumber for Habitat for Humanity house construction.
Union Sqaure, San Francisco – above.
Macy’s Great Tree. Usually about 85 foot with thousands of lites!
Above – Further south in California, you have THE GROVE in Los Angeles
Shopping, dining, choreographed fountains – it’s magic in the Grove!
Then there is the Hollywood Christmas Parade during December, and Disneyland in Anaheim
is our course all done up for the holidays, complete with a nightly snowfall!
Below – West Hollywood. Perhaps the gayest city in the world?
It is said that more than 33% of it’s population identify with being LGBT!
That a lot of gays!
And at the epicenter is THE ABBEY -BEST GAY BAR IN THE WORLD,
as voted recently by TripOut Gay Travel Awards & Logo.
Best Gay Cities!
Happy Holidays!
Los Angeles Out & About Bus Tour Explores Hollywood’s Gay History
Leaving from the ONE Archives LGBT Gallery and Museum in West Hollywood, it passes 100 points of interest as the double-decker bus winds through Hollywood and Los Angeles, “blowing the dust off over a century of closeted stars, underground bars and gay rights battle scars.”
Owner Jim Anzide says, “”Doing the research for this tour has opened my heart and mind in ways I can’t begin to articulate,” said Anzide.
“Knowing that people have lost their lives, loved ones, homes, and careers so that I can do something as simple as go to a bar in West Hollywood and dance with my friends, walk hand-in-hand with someone of the same sex or live with the person I love is overwhelming. I felt ungrateful through my ignorance. I knew that I had to be part of educating and empowering my generation and future generations of LGBT people in the best way I know how – through entertainment.”
The official launch is this week! Out & About operates every Saturday and Sunday and alternating Fridays.
Tours run from 1 p.m. and ends at approximately 4 p.m. The $75 ticket includes a full day of fun and education as well as drinks and food available gratis at key stops. Must be 21 or older.
Hop on board, grab a cocktail and hang on to your wigs!
The Best Gay Cities
Does Dr. Paul Have a Cure For HIV?
Researchers in Texas say they may have found a way to kill the HIV virus. The idea would be used, not only to control the disease for people already infected, but actually prevent infection for anybody who might be at risk!
There is going to be a HUGE piece of news released on December 1st – World Aids Day!
And check this out – Actors, performers, comedians, HIV activists, and scientists come together for this PSA to show support for Covalent Immunology, and Dr. Sudhir Paul. The Cast includes Lady Bunny, Justin Bond, Ben Andrews, Angie Pontani, Kristen Renton, Thea Gill, Wilson Cruz, The Pixie Harlots, and Hydeia Broadbent.
$5 is all it takes – lets face it, a cure and vaccine isn’t gonna come from the big pharma, its gonna come from a brilliant scholar/researcher…DR. PAUL!!
WATCH THE VIDEO
END HIV – Covalent Immunology Foundation
READ MORE AT FOX NEWS
Additional Commentary by Lyndon Evans – Focus on the Rainbow
Girlfriends Getaway Special – Ottawa Canada
So much of Gay Travel seems geared towards men. Well, this one’s for the girls!
Calling all girlfriends to retreat to Canada’s Capital – a city bursting with vibrant culture and surrounded by an oasis of natural beauty. This special package caters to all types and budgets by providing the ability to pick and choose.
Spend a couple days shopping, visiting museums and galleries, dining, indulge in a spa treatment or take in a show! Don’t forget to check out the funky ByWard Market district, where there’s always something happening. It’s the perfect scene for a night out on the town with your friends.
Ottawa is an open, friendly and welcoming destination for gay and lesbian travelers. Canada’s Capital has an LGBT pedigree that extends back to the first-ever gay and lesbian public demonstration in Canada (1971), and that in recent years included perhaps the most public gay marriage of all time between two gay stars of the TV program The Amazing Race.
The centre of gay and lesbian life is the area around Bank Street and Somerset in the downtown core. The growing gaybourhood has shops and bars and is the home base for local institutions serving the LGBT community.
Explore it by day—or by night. But don’t feel you have to limit yourself to one neighbourhood. There are things happening all over. On Sunday evenings, for example, there’s a lesbian coffee club in suburban Barrhaven. You’ll find gays and lesbians all over the city, doing the active things Ottawans do. Check publications such as Capital Xtra for listings and up-to-date information.
And best of all ladies – right now, with the GIRLFRIENDS GETAWAY, you get special pricing and discounts.
Check it out!
Ottawa Canada – Mr Leather Weekend
Next Month, is Mr Leather Ottawa. This year’s MLO theme is DRIVE – a mix of parties, workshops and seminars with The Mr. Leather Ottawa competition taking place November 14 – including a new “Full Fetish” segment.
Each year is a little different – a celebration of our core value as a community. Diversity, respect, integrity, vision, equality. Find out for yourself what we are all about, what we stand for, and who we are.
MLO is a “be yourself event” – everyone is welcome, from leather VIPs to hardcore fetishists to those who are curious or just want to attend a hot party. What sets MLO appart? Our weekend is designed to welcome all, to bring the “leather family” together, and provide opportunities for learning, meeting new friends, and getting to know people.
St. Brigid’s Centre
November 13-15, 2009
MLO Events and Ticket information.
Other things of interest in Ottawa…
Camouflage – From the Battlefield to the Catwalk
Canadian War Museum Now thru January 3, 2010
This innovative exhibition traces the colourful history of military camouflage over the last century, from the simple concealment of soldiers and objects to the use of camouflage-inspired designs in a wide range of commercial and artistic products.
The art of camouflage has evolved into a phenomenon of popular culture, now as likely to adorn children or fashion models as it is to mask soldiers or jet aircraft. The exhibition uses clothing, art, models, military equipment and other objects to tell the history of this deceptive art, which still makes soldiers disappear, but designer jeans stand out!
The War Museum is a very cool building. It’s is an unusual structure, low-lying with jagged edges and angular, trapezoidal lines.
Fun Facts! Every November 11, at 11 am, and only on this day and at this hour, the sun shines through the window of the Museum’s Memorial Hall and illuminates the only artifact in this space: the headstone of Canada’s Unknown Soldier.
ALSO – The War Museum is home to a machine called an “electro-psychometer” (similar to a lie detector) was employed to determine the sexual orientation of civil servants. In this very conservative era homosexuality was a taboo and it was assumed knowledge of that fact could be used against an individual and force this person to collaborate with the enemy. The government intended to protect itself and subjected hundreds of civil servants to tests on this notoriously unreliable device, also referred to as the “fruit machine”.
Canada’s Capital and the country’s fourth largest metropolis, Ottawa is located in Eastern Ontario at the junction of three majestic waterways and just across the Ottawa River from Gatineau, Quebec. A cosmopolitan yet surprisingly intimate G8 capital, Ottawa is a place where you can immerse yourself in Canadiana and culture, embrace and enjoy the great outdoors, even in the heart of the city, join the celebration at year-round festivals and events, and shop and dine in a relaxed urban setting of distinctive neighbourhoods and districts. Whatever the season, come see for yourself!
Best Gay Cities
Gay Icon Dame Shirley Bassey in London This Weekend
a true gay icon and Britain’s most successful female artist ever, will celebrate 50 years in show business by giving a unique performance for the BBC Electric Proms at London’s Roundhouse on this Friday, October 23.
The Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (!) will be joined on stage by the BBC Concert Orchestra to perform some of her classic tracks as well as new songs from her forthcoming album The Performance.
Famous for her powerful renditions of songs like Big Spender, Light My Fire and Something, Dame Shirley’s international stardom (she also has France’s highest award, the Legion d’ Honneur) was confirmed by her performances of the fabulous Bond movie themes Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever and Moonraker. These days, she’s a much-sampled legend as well, most recently by Kanye West for his Grammy-winning hit Diamonds From Sierra Leone.
You can also watch her exclusive performance over at BBC2 on Saturday 24th at 10.40pm.
72 year old Bassey also joins a star studded line up for Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 12th November.
Also featuring the likes of Take That, Sir Paul McCartney, Muse, Snow Patrol and Leona Lewis, this spectacular show will see the UK’s finest musicians help raise money for disadvantaged children.
MADONNA Announces Special 6 City Holiday Christmas Tour!
We’re talking about THE MADONNA –
As in the VIRGIN MARY!
Over 2000 years ago in the little hillside town of Bethlehem a
miraculous birth occurred. You might think you know the real story,
but you don’t. Jesus’ mother sets the record straight with MADONNA’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION, a musical retelling of the birth and life of the young Jesus Christ.
This inspiring holiday show features original
music, plus so-wrong-it’s-right parodies of holiday favorites and Top 40 hits by the likes of The Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce, Lady GaGa, Katy Perry, Rihanna and the more-famous Madonna.
“You could go to Irving Berlin’s White Christmas or the Radio City
Christmas Spectacular, but then how could you look at yourself in the mirror the next morning? Instead, try the holiday show that dares to dress our Holy Mother in drag.” – New York Observer.
Move over Britney Spears! The Madonna — as in the Virgin Mary (or
Lady MaMa, in some circles) — announces her first U.S. holiday tour in over 2000 years.
Kicking off in New York City on December 6th at
The Laurie Beechman Theater, MADONNA’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION tour will
be performed in 6 cities stretching from Maine to California. Tickets, show times and venue information is available at 212-352-3101 or Virgin Mary Live.
MADONNA’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION is conceived and delivered by drag
writer/performer Mimi Imfurst and composer/lyricist/arranger Mike
Pettry (winner of the 2007 Jonathan Larson and Fredrick Loewe Awards).
• Dec. 6 at 7:00pm – New York, NY –
Laurie Beechman Theater (407 West 42nd Street).
• Dec. 8 at 8:00pm – San Francisco, CA –
Finn’s Funhouse (814 Grove Street).
• Dec. 9 at 8:00pm – San Francisco, CA –
Finn’s Funhouse (814 Grove Street).
• Dec. 11 at 8:00pm – Ogunquit, ME –
Mainestreet (195 Main Street).
• Dec. 12 at 8:00pm – Ogunquit, ME –
Mainestreet (195 Main Street).
• Dec. 13 at 7:00pm – New York, NY –
Laurie Beechman Theater (407 West 42nd Street).
• Dec. 17 at 7:30pm – Washington, DC – EFN Lounge (1318 9th Street NW).
• Dec. 18 at 9:00pm – Washington, DC – EFN Lounge (1318 9th Street NW).
• Dec. 19 at 9:00pm – New Hope, PA – Harlan’s Cabaret (6426 Lower York Road).
• Dec. 20 at 7:30pm – Philadelphia, PA – Q Lounge (1234 Locust Street).
The show is the 4th annual installment of Mimi Imfurst’s Virgin Mary series, which offers insight into the psyche of the teen mother and the choices Mary had to make as a 13 year-old bride.
It has been hailed by the Catholic Advocacy Coalition as “worse than the sin of abortion” and “despicable, blasphemous and abominable trash” by DailyCatholic.org (who never saw the show).
Described by Back Stage as
“somewhere between a plump Ricki Lake and a bawdy Bette Midler,” Mimi Imfurst has quickly established herself as one of NYC’s most outrageous, controversial, and hysterical nightlife personalities.
The inaugural production of Mary, Like A Virgin earned
Mimi Imfurst a prominent spot on the –
Catholic League’s 2006 Report on Anti Catholicism and a
#2 spot on the Catholic Advocacy Coalition’s Top 10 Most Anti-Catholic People of the Year, following Dan Brown (The Da Vinci Code) in the #1 spot and beating out President George W. Bush at #3.
NOT TO BE MISSED!
Mimi Imfurst on Facebook
Mimi Imfurst on YouTube
Mimi on Mimi
The Best Gay Cities
Celebrate GLBT History Month!
Modeled after Black and Women’s History Months, GLBT History Month highlights annually the achievements of 31 gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender Icons—one each day—with a free video, bio, bibliography, downloadable images and other resources.
a new GLBT Icon is presented daily. Each day you’ll have access to his or her video, bio and resources, along with information on all the preceding Icons.
GLBT HISTORY MONTH
Can Cleveland Host the GAY GAMES ?
Clevelands bid to host the 2014 Gay Games got another boost last week when the Cleveland City Council approved a $700,000 grant to assist the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission in putting on the event!
The final decision will be made during the organization’s annual meeting in Cologne, Germany, this week!
Supporters of the bid believe that the Gay Games could bring over $65 million into Northeast Ohio’s economy. They are in the running with 2 other cities – Boston and Washington. Cleveland is a good central location and the cost to travelers would be lower than the other two cities, making it possible to attract even more people.
“We’re showing in good faith that we want to bring the Gay Games here and are willing to put up some cash,” said city economic development director Tracey Nichols. “We need to show that this is a strong commitment.”
She is optimistic about the outcome of the vote this week.
“I think we are going to blow Boston and Washington out of the water,” she said of the other two cities still in the running.
**** UPDATE******
ITS OFFICIAL – CLEVELAND DID IN FACT GET THE HONORS AND WILL HOST IN 2014!!!
Best Gay Cities
Gay Pattaya Thailand – Sin City of Asia!
Pattaya is located about 2 hours drive South of Bangkok, or about 90 minutes from the new airport. It is well known for its beaches, and the “sun/sea” image, but far more renowned for its reputation as “Sin City”.
Nightlife dominates this city and the people who come here generally come for this. You can have 24 hour entertainment; from the beach during the day, quiet cafes in the afternoon, early evening drinks, wild evenings in gogo bars or cabaret bars and late night fun in the discos.
It’s all here, and it’s all set up for the gay visitor. What’s more it’s as safe as anywhere in Europe and you pay Asian prices, rather than European ones. Pattaya stands for erotic fun. ANYTHING you want is here and can be found.
The history of Pattaya is interesting. Until the mid 20th century it was a sleepy fishing village. In the time of the Vietnam War, the Americans built a large air force base close to the town and imported troops by the thousand. Towards the end of the war, they started using Pattaya as an area to send the combatants for R&R. The town started to grow. Of course the veterans wanted one thing to compliment the sun and sea – they wanted sex. The local girls were happy to provide this and so Walking Street started to grow up. By the mid 80s it was a shanty town of wooden huts and loose women. At about the same time, but far more discrete, Boyztown had started to develop and the gay market had established itself.
Through the 1990s the straight prostitute market exploded. Cheapening air travel, better accommodation, more available tourist money and general economic prosperity lead to Walking Street becoming what it is today. Sunee Plaza, Pattaya’s second gay area started in the late 1980s and by the mid 90s was firmly established. Sunee is still largely un-troubled by non-gay tourists.
However Boyztown is frequented by coach loads of them. You will frequently see two or three coach parties per night, usually Japanese, mixed sexes and hetero, walking through Boyztown, being guided through. One can imagine the party looking at the gay “exhibits”. They peer in through the open door on the occasional club and wonder at the boys they see.
And that’s what most gay tourists come for. Pattaya itself has a huge market based around this sex industry, and the gay market congregates around two areas. One is Boyztown. Glitsy, glamorous and top-priced, it features gogo bars, host bars and cabaret shows.
Ten minutes away and just down Soi VC, by the VC hotel is Sunee Plaza, smaller, with less sparkle, it has an air of fun, frivolity, spontaneity and eroticism that its big brother often fails to deliver.
Boyztown
Technically this is one short street, although most people lump in the adjacent Pattayaland Soi 1 and 2 to make a large area. It’s older and more established than Sunee Plaza. Here one can find the Cabaret shows such as at the Copa Showbar or at Boyz Boyz Boyz. Copa includes an
amazing “underwater” show and has two later dance shows. The boys in the dance troupe will excite you. Boyz Boyz Boyz has a slightly less well choreographed show, but is still fun and worth going to.
There are also many other Gogo bars, try Star Boys in Pattayaland soi 1 or Cupidol in the same soi. Star boys is a favourite for many a local with its wide range of boy. Cupidol has a nice line up and the boys wear really nice underwear. You might consider the beer bars with their attractive hosts; I’d recommend Panorama in Boyztown which occupies a prime position at the head of the street or Oscars almost next door, owned by David, a large Brit with a personality to match. Then there are restaurants such as the Café Royale with an extensive menu and daily specials and the Ambiance Hotel actually in Boyztown.
Sunee Plaza
Here is an area which advertises itself as the “heart of the extreme city”. It has a feeling of being the smaller brother to Boyztown, but in fact there are more bars and more facilities here. It is also cheaper than its older sibling. I’d recommend Krazy Dragon – the original table top gogo bar in Pattaya. The boys come round and squat down on your table with their over-size baggy shorts and no underwear! A smaller gogo bar well worth a visit is Euroboys where the boys wear the sexiest white satin underwear with lace up sides.
Beer bars abound and each has its own character and charm. Oud’s café bar is fronted by the outrageous and screamingly funny Oud – it’s worth a visit just to meet him. Memories Music bar will play music all night in many styles and this is their theme. You can stop for a drink on the corner of the terrace at Don Plaza’s Terrace bar and watch the world go by. Just round the corner is Duc’s coffee shop with its collection of books and International movies. The Corner Bar serves double shots for the price of one and has the best location in the Soi. Its pool table is often in demand by the local Thai lads. Mike’s Bar La Cage (just outside Sunee Plaza in Soi VC) has regular party nights and offers a Happy hour. The guv’nor – Mike – will do his best to look after you.
For food, one is spoiled for choice. Next door to La Cage is Mike’s All New White Night. This restaurant provides everything from breakfast to a set menu evening meal. The Balkan Express features Barbecue food from Croatia, and very tasty it is too! They have started a Thai menu and the host boys are very attentive. Oud’s bar and Memories (already mentioned) also have snack menus – Memories being open from 2 pm. And of course there are an abundance of Thai food cafes around.
All the attractions of Sunee Plaza can be found online. This site has a good diary and is kept completely up to date so you can see exactly what is happening in the area.
Late night
After the go go bars close (at 1 am), there are still the beer bars to visit. If you want to party on, then there are a number of late night discos to try. These are chaotic affairs, filled with Thai boys, who have just finished work in the beer and gogo bars. They are for the most part not near the two main areas, but can be found by talking to any local bar owner or bar boy. If you take a boy for company, he will show you his favourite. I’d recommend Body Language or XZYTE, but there are another half a dozen to try.
Where to stay
Pattaya has more than its fair share of hotels. A number are worth
mentioning here. For people who would prefer to stay close to Boyztown, there
is the Ambiance, right in the heart of the action. Some people would say it’s
too close. Sunee visitors have a larger range to choose from. Two guys
Guesthouse is extremely comfortable and would suit any traveler on a budget,
with rooms from £11 per night. John, the owner, is a particularly friendly
host. At the other end of the scale there is the Don Plaza Hotel, offering
suites and a 4 star comfort level. There plenty of Pattaya hotels around the city that will
fall into different price brackets so that you don’t have to worry about
spending too much money.
Prices
Originally providing a very cheap holiday, Pattaya is no longer the cheapest place in Asia. However compared to Europe it is still a bargain. Drinks Vary from £3 for a beer in a Boyztown showbar (there is no charge for the show), to under £1 in Sunee. You can get a good breakfast for £2 and a quality evening meal for under £5. The costs of entertaining a boy are very much cheaper than in Europe and if the thought of Asian boys fulfilling your every fantasy appeals to you, this is the place to visit.
Daytime attractionsThe main scene for tourists in the day is the gay beach at Jomtien – just 10 minutes away by baht bus. 10 baht gets you there, merely hail a bus going in the right direction and hop on. When you get to the beach at Jomtien, turn right down beach road. Pass the toilets and look for the concession numbers. The gay section includes concessions 20 to 25. Each has their own brightly coloured deck chairs in their signature colour. Each also has beach umbrellas to shade you. The concessions charge 30 Baht for a chair for the day, and for a small fee will provide food and drink all day for you. While you are there, a bewildering array of vendors will walk past you.
You can buy anything you need (and many things you don’t need from them). The range starts with fresh fruit, peeled and packed on Styrofoam trays, doughnuts, fried fish, and ends with bed spreads, carved elephant heads and hand made cards. Of course there is everything in between.
Also look out for the stream of manicure ladies and massage boys, any of whom will perform their services for seemingly ridiculous rates. A good leg massage for 30 minutes (which should bring a smile to your face) will cost a mere £2.50.
Outside the beach, there are many other attractions. Places to see include Wong Amat, an enormous ornate wood building just North of Pattaya, Big Buddha Hill (there is a clue in the name here), and Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens. You might also like to think about a trip to the elephant village or maybe a day out to Bang Seray, a truly sleepy fishing post about 30 minutes south. If you arrive lunchtime, you can have a nice seafood lunch, and stroll along the fishing pier about 3.30, just as the boat boys are waking up and showering on deck.
One word of caution
Prostitution is technically illegal in Thailand, although the entire city depends on this market. There will be no problems as long as the boy you take home with you is over 18. It is as well to check their ID. Taking boys from recommended host bars or gogo bars is far safer than picking a boy up from the street. A little caution and you will have the holiday of a lifetime.If you’ve never been to Pattaya – check it out! For the gay man, there is everything you could want here.
All set in a tropical setting. If I were designing paradise, I would look little further than Pattaya!
SUNEE PLAZA
New Gay Travel Guide and The Best Gay Cities