Tag: Gay

Earning Money as a Digital Nomad

Are you trying a non-conventional lifestyle of travelling the world and working from any part of the world? Digital nomads are taking the world by storm, as work and travel opportunities seem like a more fulfilling option for millennials and the upcoming generations. If you’re planning to become a digital nomad, or you’ve already made up your mind, but you need more ideas to make money, we’ve got just what you need in the paragraphs below.

Renting your home 

Considering digital nomads don’t have a permanent residence, your previous residence can bring you a regular income. Namely, if you own an apartment or a house, you can rent it to somebody else. One option is to have a person rent the property for several consecutive months/years. Alternatively, you can generate even more revenue if you list it on sites such as Ebab and rent it per night. As long as you have a person who will clean before and after guests’ check-in, you don’t have to be physically present to run the entire business. 

Teaching online courses

One of the very good practices that bring enough money to digital nomads is online courses. If you’ve spent several years in business, finance, or any other industry and you’ve mastered it, you’re experienced enough to teach others about it. Setting up an online course that people worldwide can sign up for will be ideal for a digital nomad. You can decide on the dates and time and the number of people that can attend one course. As long as you have a steady wi-fi connection, it won’t be a problem to teach the course from a different part of the world.

Set up a dropshipping business

Have you started a business that includes sales, but you can’t be bothered with all the shipping anymore? Are you planning to travel as a digital nomad, but still want somebody to be in charge of taking care of the fulfilment and shipping? Forget about being included in developing products, managing inventory, and similar trivialities. A drop shipping business is a way to go. Your job will be to communicate with suppliers and customers, which is always possible with a reliable wi-fi connection. Build an e-commerce site where you’ll market your products and do all the communication via your laptop. If you have any doubts about dropshipping being profitable or you being able to pay the suppliers on time, don’t worry. You can always rely on trade finance to offer security. Through trade finance, you’ll be able to pay your suppliers upfront and avoid any inconveniences. The last thing you need is to solve financing issues from a different continent. 

Doing freelance writing online

If writing was your hobby before, today it can become a very profitable career. Blog posting is a form of writing that many digital nomads practice. However, running a blog became less lucrative ever since Instagram and Facebook took over the hype and everyone started spreading their word through social media. From social media copywriting to any other type of advertising, writing will be your saving grace. Living in a foreign country means you must be speaking at least one foreign language. So why not earn money from it and do some freelance translating?

Tutoring online

Previous math, physics or chemistry teachers are now digital nomads across the world. Just because you’re on a different continent doesn’t mean you can’t share your knowledge and make money out of it. Set up several tutoring classes a week to add to your budget. If it turns out your services are in high demand, you can make it a regular gig every day.

Graphic design projects

With social media marketing being on the rise, the demand for quality graphic designs increases daily. If you have a knack for graphics, try your luck in graphic design. You can create posts for social media, websites, videos or any type of digital content. A little creativity can go a long way and bring you a significant amount of money.

Final thoughts

Living a life as a digital nomad comes with many sacrifices. You need to be prepared to be away from your family and friends because you want to see the world and live in several countries throughout the year. If you ever decide to do it, make sure you have your money-earning strategy developed and ready to be put into action. A steady income will make your life less stressful, so be sure you know for a fact that the money will keep coming even when you’re halfway across the world.

How to Pack for a European Fall City Break

Touring through European cities means seeing many exciting places, learning a lot of history, swimming, and of course, taking a lot of pictures. If this is your first time traveling there, here is a helpful guide of the essential things you will need.

Shoes

First, let’s talk about shoes since they take up so much space. You have probably made different outfits in your head and can’t wait to wear them, but if they include more than two pairs of shoes, forget about it. All you need are versatile shoes like, white sneakers that will go with any outfit and occasion, or a trendy pair of loafers, and some stylish sandals or slides, which are a better option. If you absolutely have to pack another pair, make sure those are comfortable sports sneakers you can travel in, and then wear them for walking or when you go sightseeing.

Clothes

Regardless of the type of vacation you are having, make sure you pack some extra shirts, in case you get wet or dirty. Pieces that can be both casual and formal are men’s polo shirts, which are a classic you can’t go wrong with. Wear it with shorts, pants, or jeans, and it will look stylish, plus they are very comfortable. Pack some basic monochrome t-shirts, a long-sleeved shirt for a night out, and for a crazy night out, take out your favorite print or trendy t-shirt which you didn’t have the chance to wear.

Pack two pairs of jeans, one pair of pants, and just in case, at least one shorts, because it can get hot. Don’t forget sweaters and a light fall jacket. Denim or leather are perfect because they will keep you warm, they go with everything, and they are super trendy. And, of course, don’t forget your favorite bathing suit because you never know where you will have a chance for a quick dip at least. 

Cosmetics

Keeping your skin protected when traveling is pretty hard, which is why you need to have at least some basic skincare products in your cosmetics bag. A face wash, a moisturizer, some wet wipes, sunblock, a deodorant, razors, and at least a concealer will be enough, although you can pack some other go-to products. Make sure to pack travel sizes, and for the purpose of traveling light, you can get all your bath essentials once you get there. And since your cosmetics bag will probably hold these items, condoms, band-aids, and a basic meds kit should be there as well. 

Accessories

The first and most important thing is a bag or a backpack, whichever you like better. It’s convenient because you can carry it wherever you go, pack all your personal belongings, and even pack something you bought there. 

A wristwatch is the main jewelry piece you need, but if you are a fan of bracelets or necklaces, do pack them, just don’t wear them while you get through airport control. A cool cap can complete your style, so if you like wearing them, pick your favorite and pack it. Sunglasses and a belt should also be on your list. 

Fun and games

In the fun and games section, we will include all the technology since that’s where a lot of the fun is. Your phone, charger, a speaker, headphones, power bank, and a camera are some of the essentials. You can take photos, record, listen to music, talk to people, and get maps and directions when you need it. If you know you will be attending a crazy party, do pack something fun like a wig, glitter, funny clothes, or even just socks or underwear that is at least silly. If your type of fun is a bit calmer atmosphere, a kindle or a book are a good choice. 

How to Plan a Perfect LGBT Honeymoon

No matter if you’re a sucker for weddings or not, we can all agree that the honeymoon is the best part of any wedding. This is the time to make the best memories, relax and start your marriage on the right foot. However, without ample planning, your trip can end up being a total bust. So, here are a few practical tips on how to plan a perfect LGBT honeymoon.

Plan well

All the best honeymoons are planned while both parties are on the same page. So, make sure to talk it over before you start contacting travel agents! Do you want to unwind and relax or have a wild adventure that will fill you with adrenaline? Do you prefer bright lights of the city or the quiet of the beach and nature? You must know what you want as a couple and what you prefer as travelers. This will allow you to plan the best honeymoon to mark the beginning of your life together.

Research your destination

Here’s the harsh truth, it’s still illegal to be LGBT in over 80 countries and in 13 you can be sentenced to death for being gay. However, traveling as a gay person can be risky no matter where you go. This is not scaremongering, but even ultra-liberal destinations like NYC, London and Amsterdam have instances of anti-LGBT violence. Now, you can’t miss your honeymoon because you’re scared! But, what you can do is pick a more gay-friendly destination—we just want you to be safe, alright!

Choose LGBT-friendly accommodation

Not every destination has obviously gay resorts and hotels, so make sure to do your research. When in doubt, check with Ebab or go through Fodor’s and Frommer’s selections. You’ll get to find all sorts of LGBT sections, area-specific tips and no-nos for gay romance.

Pack well

If you’re going to a tropical island or anywhere where you’re planning to spend the majority of your time at the beach, you don’t need much. However, you still want to be stylish and even maybe show off your love. For instance, lesbian couples can check out one piece swimwear online and grab matching swimwear. You’ll look so fabulous together (you might look like walking lesbian stereotypes, but who cares!). However, if you’re planning to have fancy dinners in the city, you’ll need something more formal, preferably with sleeves. Additionally, don’t forget to pack all your sex toys and gear. You might get a chance to renew your collection at your destination, but who knows whether they sell anything. You just can’t risk it.

Organize something special

Just because you tied the knot, that doesn’t mean you can leave romance and grand gestures behind you! Take time to surprise your spouse with something very exciting and show just how much you love them. Use your knowledge of their preferences to come up with something amazing that will surely make them happy. If you have a hopeless romantic for a husband, plan a private evening with bubbly, roses and a lot of cuddling. On the other hand, if your wife loves adventure, a field trip to nature will make her feel over the moon.  

Don’t forget why you’re doing this

The most important thing about honeymoons is the feeling of doing something together, as a couple. So, no matter how much you hate organizing stuff, make sure to stay engaged and give your feedback. This planning time will not only allow you to grow as a couple but also bring you closer together. If you plan it together, it will make your honeymoon even more perfect. So, don’t forget why you’re doing this—to celebrate your beautiful love and your victory over haters!

Sure, planning a perfect honeymoon is not something you can do in one afternoon, but if you stay focused and do your homework, you’ll end up in real LGBT heaven!

Gay Summer Vacation Outfits and Style Tips

We love summer for so many reasons, and one of them is because we get to wear amazing summer clothes! This is even more exciting when we’re planning what to pack and bring with us when we go to our long-awaited summer vacation! No more sweaters, caps and winter shoes for a while, it’s time for something lighter and more comfortable! Check out this cool and stylish list about what’s hot this year regarding gaycation fashion! 

Classic jean jacket

You can find denim in most closets! Yet, when we’re talking about a jean jacket, not everyone can pull off this ever-classy piece of clothing in the same way, and many people don’t combine it in such a way to get the most out of the outfit. Maybe your first instinct would be to pair it with regular blue jeans. This is acceptable. However, match it with a pair of black jeans instead if you want to be even more stylish.  

A classic jean jacket is perfect for breezy summer nights or as a chic layer to get that look which is both casual and stylish at the same time. 

A lightweight hoodie

Even if you see that the temperature is going to be ideal during your stay, you should still consider packing your favorite hoodie! You might need it during the morning hours when it’s a bit colder, or to offer you a little warmth on the beach when the wind gets too cool. If you feel cold during your promenade with your partner, you won’t enjoy it as much. However, bring your lightweight hoodie and feel completely carefree!

Nautical striped knit shirt

This is one of those items of clothing that look good on whoever wears them. If you want to be complimented on your perfect getup, know that this piece, which is a combination of navy and white, and is also known as a French sailor shirt, goes perfectly with blue or black jeans. 

Cotton short-sleeved shirt with buttons

This is something everyone has, probably more than one. If you do not own anything like this, it’s time you go shopping and buy more of them, each in a different color! It’s dressier than other items on this list, and it requires a pair of nice-looking quality shoes. You can wear this if you want to go out, since it’s perfect for a club or maybe if you’re having a dinner with your partner. If you want to experiment a bit, try a floral pattern or maybe a checkered one. It’s audacious and people will notice you for sure!

Branded underwear

Whenever you want to invest in quality branded men’s underwear, know that you can’t make a mistake. While fashion keeps changing every once in a while, good old branded underwear is always in! It doesn’t matter that no one can see it but yourself (if we are not including your significant other), when you know you’re wearing underwear of the highest quality, you simply feel better and more stylish! You deserve the best, and if you already pay attention to wearing only trendy clothes, underwear should be included here undoubtedly! 

Hopefully, you’ll find this stylish list helpful and inspiring. You can always check out pictures in magazines and on the internet to see how famous people have combined these items. You’ll find a lot of amazing looks and you’ll want to copy them for sure. However, if you don’t want to be a copycat, you can always experiment and do things differently. Be creative and unique and have fun as others stare at you in amazement on your vacation.

5 Summer Vacation Packing Tips for Gay Men

Summer is right around the corner and it’s time to start planning your next summer adventure. Whether you’re traveling to the farthest corner of the globe or flying across the country, you always need to pack accordingly.

Now, every trip comes with a fair share of pros and cons, so you need to think through before you start packing. Think about where you’re going, your daily activities, after-hours nightlife, the weather… all the little things you might need when you get to your destination.

Plan ahead

There are certain things you must not forget before you go on your vacation. They might be a bit tedious to go over, but there wouldn’t be a vacation without them. The most important thing is to make sure your documents are valid – if you need a visa, get one on time.

Book your accommodation on Ebab, get travelers insurance and do a bit of research on the local laws. Some exotic destinations tend to have rules and regulations that impose certain restrictions, which can get in the way of your summer vacation and that’s definitely something you do not want to happen.

Always look incredible

You don’t need to pack a gigantic suitcase to look amazing. You need to pack enough clothes to last you through the vacation, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pack lightly. Your daily attire should include a couple of jeans, a few tees and shirts and a long-sleeve shirt in case of bad weather.

As for the nightlife, bring a few outfits that emphasize your body and make you feel comfortable. If you plan to spend the nights at the beach, include some party clothes as well. Also, leave a fairly large compartment for all the extracurricular activities you might end up doing. After all, you are on vacation.

Bring the essentials

Summer vacation means that, in comparison to the rest of the year, you’ll be exposed to sunlight more than you usually would. This takes a huge toll on your skin, so if you want to stay on top of skincare routine and keep that glow year round, you need to bring all the essentials with you.

After you get the sunscreen lotion (SPF of your choice), take out all the products you use and pack only the essentials – our suggestion includes a moisturizer, a cleanser and an exfoliator. If you have problems with acne, get some acne products because the situation will probably get worse during summer.

Pack your gadgets

Nowadays, phones have amazing cameras and that’s pretty much the only camera you need to carry with you. However, the battery on your phone definitely won’t make it through a day of intense use, so consider bringing a power bank or a battery case.

You certainly don’t want to forget to bring your selfie stick – how else are you going to make those groups shot memories? However, if you’re not a fan of selfie sticks you can get an Insta360 or a Moment lens. Whichever you choose, make sure it works with your phone.

Protect yourself

Once again, depending on your destination and the activities, you will need to pack accordingly. If you’re traveling alone, you will definitely end up meeting amazing people.

Now, people tend to be a bit more relaxed during vacation than usual, so if you plan to stay out, party hard, and have sex, make sure to bring enough protection. Your health should be of utmost importance.

That being said, wherever you decide to go, take some time to relax and enjoy the moment. Try to grab a sunset or two, put your phone down, forget about your insta feed and just be there. Such moments have a habit of passing by in an instance so try not to miss them.

5 Sex Tips for Young Gay Couples

Yes, when you first started dating, everything was sexy, just looking at your boyfriend made you want to rip his clothes off and have him right there and then. Perhaps there were even times when you couldn’t even control yourself and you would just do it in a bathroom at a friend’s party. However, this ‘hot and heavy’ stage always fizzles out. No one knows exactly why – perhaps you become too comfortable with each other, you become too secure in your relationship and the knowledge that you can have sex whenever you want actually leads to a lack of sex, or at least adventurous sex, which is actually kind of paradoxical if you think about it. Well, whichever the reason, the lesson we must all remember at all times is that, in a relationship, you have to work at keeping the fires of passion and adventure alive. Great sex doesn’t just happen, and sometimes you have to work at it either to rekindle the fires or keep the flame alive even before it dies. So, what can you do to improve your sex life? Stay tuned and find out. Spoiler alert: it’s not difficult.

Sleep naked

According to a survey published in the Huffington Post sleeping naked with your partner doesn’t only make you sleep better but can actually improve your sex life. The reason is simple: just being in close proximity to your partner and not be ‘separated’ by layers of clothing will entice and excite you. This in turn could actually lead to a lack of sleep (if you know what we mean), because once you caress your boyfriend’s skin, you won’t be able to help yourself and you’ll want them immediately. We have oxytocin, the ‘love hormone’ to thank for this. When you sleep naked together higher levels of this hormone are released and you’ll feel not only aroused but also more connected to your partner.

Time to play

Even straight couples have discovered the benefits of bringing sex toys into the boudoir, and we all know that when it comes to sex, gays are always ahead of the straights. So, even if the levels of pleasure are at a satisfactory level, introducing some pleasure enhancers is never a bad idea. There is a huge number of toys you can play with that will make sex an unforgettable experience, such as a prostate massager, a butt plug and a cock ring (these are plain amazing). Once you’ve included toys into your sex life, there will never be a dull moment in bed ever again, and your toy collection will just become bigger until you have to replace the ‘goodie drawer’ with a ‘goodie closet’.

When out of ideas

If you think you’ve tried it all and you’re fresh out of ideas as to what new thing to do – watching pornography is a great way to get some inspiration. Perhaps you’ll discover some new positions to try, but above all else, watching to guys (or more if that’s your kind of thing) being all hot and heavy will instantly arouse you to the point of eruption and you won’t be able to contain yourself. Just like when you were hot and heavy at the very beginning and couldn’t get to the end of a ‘regular’ movie, you won’t be able to finish this one either.

Talk about it

Once you’re in the ‘relationship’ stage as opposed to just casually dating and you are comfortable enough with your boyfriend to tell him all about your childhood memories and perhaps even share some emotional scars, you can be comfortable enough to talk about your fantasies. Fantasies are a healthy for a relationship, and in addition to that, if you go along with one or all of them, you might find unknown levels of pleasure. You may actually discover that you enjoy being tied up or are aroused by a certain fetish or role play that never crossed your mind before.

Never skip on foreplay

Sometimes the sheer anticipation of a touch is enough to get you going. Never forget to take your time, kiss like there’s no tomorrow, touch, play and tease one another to the point where you just can’t stand it anymore, and then tease each other some more. Sometimes there is nothing better than delayed gratification.

Andersherum oder wie ich einem Heterosexuellen die schwullesbische Welt erkläre

„Stell Dir mal vor, es gäbe ca. zehn Prozent Heterosexuelle und alle anderen wären überwiegend homosexuell. – Dein Tag würde ganz anders ablaufen:

Du stehst morgens auf, gehst zum Briefkasten und holst die Tageszeitung. Unterwegs triffst Du zwei schwule Nachbarn, die sich freuen, Dich zu sehen und Dir begeistert im Treppenhaus auf nüchternen Magen einen anzüglichen schwulen Witz erzählen. Du gehst wieder rein, frühstückst und liest dabei die Zeitung. Alle Artikel sind von schwulen Journalisten verfasst, einige darunter von lesbischen Journalistinnen. Es sind ein, zwei knapp in Bademode bekleidete Schwule abgebildet.

Du machst Dich auf den Weg zur Arbeit. Dort angekommen öffnest Du Dein E-Mail-Account. Zwei Deiner Kollegen haben wieder pikante E-Mails mit Spaßcharakter rumgeschickt, die Heteros als albern und lächerlich darstellen. Nicht zu vergessen die E-Mails, in denen stolze Witze darüber gemacht werden, mit wie viel Stehvermögen es der eine Schwule dem anderen von hinten besorgt hat: zwei geschlagene Stunden! Es wird erwartet, dass Du darüber lachst. Besser wäre es, denn eine der E-Mails kommt von Deinem Chef.

Schließlich gehst Du in die Kantine, Mittag essen. Du sitzt unter schwulen und lesbischen Kollegen. Eine ist immer etwas stiller. Du fragst Dich, ob sie vielleicht auch hetero sein könnte. Ein Kollege lebt offen hetero. Die meisten tolerieren das, aber ein, zwei Deppen machen ständig Witze auf seine Kosten. Er hat sich aber sogar getraut, seine Lebenspartnerin mit zur letzten Weihnachtsfeier zu bringen. Eine Ehe dürfen sie ja nicht schließen. Die Leute haben vielleicht geguckt! Während des Essens unterhalten wieder einige Schwule und Lesben die Tafel mit anzüglichen Homowitzen, die stellenweise witzig sind und stellenweise die Grenze des guten Geschmacks echt mal wieder unterschreiten. Du ärgerst Dich und erzählst einen Heterowitz, um zu provozieren. Die meisten gucken Dich entgeistert an, einige wenige schmunzeln. Manche sind tolerant und manche möchten den Eindruck erwecken, sie wären es.  Du gehst wieder ins Büro und arbeitest noch ein paar Stunden.

Danach fährst Du heim, erledigst ein bisschen Haushalt. Da klingelt es an der Tür. Deine Nachbarin kommt zum Plaudern und um Dir ein „super schönes“ neues Buch unaufgefordert auszuleihen. Sie will Dir was Gutes tun. Es ist ein lesbischer Liebesroman. „Das ist doch für Dich auch schön, oder? Du bist da ja offen.“ – Natürlich wärst Du dafür offen, wenn es nicht der fünfhundertneunundsiebzigste Deines Lebens oder so wäre. Du möchtest gerne abends zum Abspannen öfter mal so was richtig schönes Herzschmerzmäßiges mit Mann und Frau lesen, aber leider gibt es dafür nur einen kleinen Markt. Du hast schon alles Gute gelesen und es kommt einfach nicht so schnell Neues dazu, wie Du die Romane verschlingst. Das ist wohl einfach so, wenn man einer Minderheit angehört. Schade. Du setzt ein Lächeln auf, bedankst Dich artig bei der Nachbarin und verabschiedest Dich.

Du gehst ins Wohnzimmer und setzt Dich vor den Fernseher. Du hast 286 Kanäle und auf allen läuft Schwulen- und Lesben-TV. Alle paar Jahre macht ein Sender mal was Experimentelles und nimmt ein heterosexuelles Format ins Programm. Deshalb läuft manchmal spät abends eine hetero-Serie, aber erstens wird die in der Regel schnell wieder abgesetzt und zweitens beginnt sie nie vor 23.30 Uhr. Ins Kino könntest Du auch nicht. Da kommen zwei- bis dreimal im Jahr unter der Rubrik Besonderer Film Heterofilme, heute läuft aber keiner.

Jetzt kommt Dein Freund nach Hause. Ihr beschließt, spontan in die Stadt zu gehen. Da gibt es ein Hetero-Café. Auf dem Hinweg geht Ihr Hand in Hand. Jeder dritte Schwule, der Euch begegnet, schmachtet Deinen Freund an. Er hat für sie durch seine andere sexuelle Orientierung einen besonderen Reiz, was Exotisches. Letzte Woche hat ihm einer Geld geboten, wenn er ihn mal beim Sex mit Dir zusehen lassen würde. Du weißt noch genau, wie er Dir das laut lachend zuhause erzählt hat. Eine Querstraße noch und dann seid Ihr da. Im Café sitzen zwar überwiegend ganz junge Hüpfer und Ihr fühlt Euch dort ein bisschen aus der Zeit gefallen, aber wenigstens seid Ihr unter  Gleichgesinnten. Es ist halt die einzige Hetero-Location in Eurer Stadt. Lang wollt Ihr ja eh nicht bleiben. Morgen müsst Ihr arbeiten und früh raus.“

Tipps für Deinen Gay Urlaub in Barcelona und Sitges

Falls es ein Paradies für homosexuelle Männer geben sollte, dann kann man es sich vielleicht wie Barcelona vorstellen. Denn die Hauptstadt Kataloniens bietet alles, was das schwule Herz begehrt: eine riesige Metropole mit schier unendlichen Shoppingmöglichkeiten, beeindruckende Architektur und Sehenswürdigkeiten für Kulturliebhaber, eine abwechslungsreiche Schwulenszene mit zahlreichen Kneipen, Bars, Clubs und Gaysaunen und eine vorzügliche Lage mit herrlichen Stränden direkt am Mittelmeer. Außerdem befindet sich der traditionsreiche Badeort Sitges, das neben Ibiza und Gran Canaria beliebteste schwule Reiseziel Spaniens, in unmittelbarer Nähe.

Und das Beste: Barcelona ist von vielen deutschen Flughäfen aus in nur zwei Flugstunden schnell und bequem zu erreichen. Von Deutschland aus kannst Du u.a. mit den Fluggesellschaften Lufthansa, Vueling, easyJet, germanwings, eurowings, Norwegian, Air Berlin und Ryan Air nach Barcelona fliegen. Mit dem Flughafenbus gelangst Du in nur knapp 20 Minuten ins Stadtzentrum und bist sofort mittendrin im Geschehen.

Der Kern der Gay-Szene Barcelonas befindet sich im Eixample-Viertel. Die meisten schwulen Bars und Clubs in Barcelona füllen sich meist erst nach Mitternacht. Die beste Zeit, um das schwule Nachtleben der Stadt zu entdecken, ist in der Regel zwischen 24 Uhr und 2 Uhr nachts. Hier findest Du Drag-Shows, Bars für Bären und ihre Bewunderer, Jeans- und Leder-Bars mit Cruising-Bereichen, aber natürlich auch viele gemischte Bars mit Musik, Tanzflächen, Lounges und leckeren Cocktails. Ganz gleich ob alt oder jung, dick oder dünn, schwul, lesbisch oder hetero – im Eixample-Viertel finden alle Gays für Ihren Geschmack genau das Richtige.

Wer im Gay Urlaub auf herrliche Strände, einsame Meeresbuchten und gut besuchte Cruising Areas unter südlicher Sonne nicht verzichten möchte, findet etwa 40 km südlich von Barcelona ein wahres Eldorado. Das ehemalige Fischerdorf Sitges erreichst Du von Barcelona in nur knapp 30 Minuten mit der Bahn. In der Hochsaison zieht es Massen von schwulen Männern aus ganz Europa wegen Sonne, Strand, Meer und Sex nach Sitges. Der Urlaubsort bietet jedoch nicht nur viele kleine Clubs und Cafés mit größtenteils schwulem Publikum, sondern auch eine eindrucksvolle historische Altstadt.

Zu guter Letzt bietet Barcelona jedoch auch fantastische Sehenswürdigkeiten für jene schwulen Urlauber, die nicht (nur) an Sonne, Party und Sex interessiert sind. Touristenattraktionen wie der Park Güell, die Sagrada Familia, La Rambla, Casa Milà, das Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya oder der Hausberg Montjuïc mit dem Kastell und dem Olympiastadion befinden sich allesamt im Stadtzentrum und können bequem zu Fuß oder per U-Bahn erreicht werden.

Gay Sex Culture in India – Does it Exist?

Sex is a taboo topic in India, and any discussion around sex is usually hushed. Governments are still stuck on whether to allow sex-education in schools or not. All this, despite India being the land of Kamasutra, and a land where temples like Khajurao depict sex in a very open and unrestricted manner on its walls through carvings pointing to an era when sex was celebrated openly. In such an atmosphere, where (straight) sex itself is taboo, you can imagine the many barriers that discussions around gay sex exist.

But does the reluctance of people to talk about sex means people are not having sex, or there is no sex culture in India? Far from it. Remember, India did not reach a population of 1.2 Billion through test tube babies. However, what it does do is make it difficult to talk about ones desires openly, and throws everything underground.

With the many restrictions, both legal and social around gay sex, it is not surprising that a gay sex culture (as it exists in European countries) does not exist in India. There are no bear or leather clubs, or clubs or pubs around fetishes. India does not even have gay clubs or bars. No Nude beaches. You do have gay parties but they are organised in regular bars/clubs once or twice a week, and notified via SMS or through secret Facebook groups. Sex toys are in demand in India, yet they are sold mostly underground (or online). Individuals do enjoy BDSM, master-slave relations, kink etc., and these are mostly put up in the profile description of Grindr and Planetromeo. LGBTQ space in India is still too preoccupied with discussions around coming out and fighting the homophobic law – Section 377.

But how does it all affect you when you visit India? Well, to begin with, it means when you visit India, there is no single club or bar in any city that you can go to to explore the gay life. If you do not know any LGBTQ Indian before who could show you around, or pass on the information of parties to you, then grindr and planetromeo remain your best friend to connect with people and gather these information.

And how does a law like 377 affect you? Well, the law is mainly used as a tool of harassment and for extortion of money by criminal gangs or by police. The Section 377 is mostly applied in cases of rape and child sex abuse, and is seldom applied on gay men for having sex. For more details on how Section 377 affects you as a gay tourist, you can read this post that I wrote sometime ago.

The fact that you are a foreign national visiting India however apparently acts as a deterrent for the police, as the police would not want to get into the tangles of dealing with embassies and disturbing foreign relations of India with other countries.

 

Travelling To India? These Cities Have a Vibrant Gay Culture

You probably already know by now that homosexuality is criminalised in India under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. However, the existence of a law hasn’t deterred the queer community in India in any way, and a vibrant gay culture exists in various Indian cities. Here are some of the best cities to be LGBT in India.

1) Mumbai – The economic capital of India and the centre of Indian movie industry Bollywood, Mumbai has one of the most vibrant queer cultures. There are regular gay meet-ups and gatherings being organised by Gay Bombay group where everything from movie screenings to cooking classes to  talks on relationships are held.  Apart from this, the city also has one of the largest LGBT film festival called Kashish that is held in May. It just concluded last week and Sir Ian McKellen had inaugurated it this year. The city also holds one of the largest pride marches in January and it is usually preceded by a month of pride activities.

2) Bengaluru – The Garden City of India, also called the Silicon Valley of India, is one of the friendliest cities of the country and hosts a weekly meet every Thursday at the Good As You Office where around 20-30 gay men usually meet and engage in friendly banter and discussion on various queer topics. I once took a friend of mine who was visiting from France to one of these meets. Apart from this, there is a Gay Runners And Breakfast (GRAB) group which, as the name suggests, is a runners group that runs around the famous Cubbon Park every Sunday and then meets for breakfast. Bengaluru too hosts a Film Festival in February, while pride is held in November end, and is preceded by a month of pride related events.

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3) Delhi – Unlike Mumbai and Bengaluru, the capital city does not have regular official meet ups being organised by any group. But that doesn’t stop the queer community from coming together. You can find the LGBT community thronging Pallika Park at Connaught Place every Sunday evening. People come there with friends, to meet friends, to make friends. Other events that are held are usually communicated through social media or via email lists. Delhi also holds one of the largest pride parades in India and it is held around November end.

4) Kolkata – The people of the city are as sweet as the Rosogullas (a sweet dish). Sappho for Equality and Pratyay Gender Trust hold a film festival around November, while Pride March is held in December

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5) Chennai – Pride in the city is held in June. The city also has a queer literature group that meets regularly.

And if you are more into parties, then all of these cities also have gay parties every weekend. Apart from these, there are other cities like Hyderabad and Pune that are making their presence felt on the queer calendar with the increasing activities being organised or held in these cities.

If you plan to visit India, or any of these cities, do explore the local LGBT scene as well.