Gay Backpackers? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

danny1015 · 06-09-2005, 09:16 PM

So, a friend and I are leaving for London next week and heading around Europe for 10 weeks or so. We're both gay and looking to see how Europe shows its pride

Any gay backpackers (no jokes...) have any advice?

**mowark** · 06-09-2005, 09:36 PM

Not so sure on this one, but I would advice that in some of the more conservative countries (Italy, Spain, etc.) be careful about how demonstrative you are. I heard an interesting story on NPR the other day about a couple of gay friends being assaulted in Netherlands. They interviewed one of the guys who was assaulted and he said that he has travelled throughout Europe extensively and never had a problem any other time. He also said that he planned on returning and didn't expect any problems. The main threat is believed to be from muslim immigrants but there is some question as to how realistic that perceived threat is. The gentleman in question believes that the assaulters were Lebonese, but again he said that 99.9% of his encouters with muslim immigrants were nothing but positive. In fact, he said that just before the attack he had gotten a ride with a very friendly Lebonese cab driver (ironically) that only suggested that the friends not wear their lifestyle on their sleeve.

I don't know if any of that helps and it may not even answer the question you were asking. This might be of more use My Webpage

**mowark** · 06-09-2005, 09:37 PM

That's hilarious that it came up as mywebpage. Little did everyone know that I run a Europe gay pride website.

**bellelass** · 06-09-2005, 11:17 PM

Check out Heaven in London. Its a huge gay club under Charing Cross Station. Im a straight chick but I'd go there all the time and the place is packed full of young gay men. Good times had by all. Either get off at Charing Cross or Piccadilly and just ask for directions. There's also G A Y, but I've never been...

**omisan** · 06-09-2005, 11:32 PM

Nice work, Mowark

Well, I don't know too much about gay and lesbian travel, but I do know that Lonely Planet and Time Out travel guides have pretty packed sections on the topic, so you might want to check those out. Also, when I was looking for books on Australia last week, I noticed there's a series called "Out in..." on the shelves now.

I don't know about the lack of openness, though... I've been hit on by plenty of guys at clubs in the UK, wound up in a mixed (mostly gay) club in Amsterdam - and there are PLENTY of those - all the good clubs in Paris are gayer than Pride Week in SF, and Sitges (fancy beach town) just outside Barcelona is a gay mecca in Spain; so overall, I wouldn't be too worried about getting hassled or anything, no more so than in the states... just have to watch out for intolerance everywhere, I guess.

**Canadian Dude** · 06-24-2005, 05:08 AM

We have a few gay members (that I know of for sure). From what I have seen Europe is very "gay" friendly. I hit a a gay bar in Lonndon, but really its been a while and I am getting old, So I don't remeber the name. Anyway! For a crazy amount of info regarding Gay and Lesbian travel, try the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Assosiation I think you need to pay for memebership, but I am sure you will be bombarded with tons of info that you can use.

I am going to say, like Canada, Europe is pretty Liberal when it comes the the same sex issue. You know as well as I the descrimination is everywhere.

Just use caution if you venure to the Middle East, it is still a crime in some of those countries.

**beergal** · 06-24-2005, 06:07 AM

head to Brighton in England my friend this place always competes with Manchester as gay capital of England

jasonkc99 · 06-11-2006, 03:51 PM

I am also gay, 25, American and travelling alone thru europe. Would love to meet some other guys to go out to gay bars. Today and tomorrow I am in Dublin and then i am heading to Italy. Where else are you going besides London?