SOUTH AFRICA

Anything and everything about gay life anywhere in the world, especially Asia, other than Thailand.
Post Reply
Brett

SOUTH AFRICA

Post by Brett »

As requested, a new topic......

The gay scene in South Africa is more developed in the major cities especially Johannesburg and Cape Town. It is probably not that different to many American or European cities - fair number of bars, a small number of exclusively gay clubs, some bathhouses and loads of gay and gay friendly accommodation. In the case of Cape Town, these venues are mainly concentrated in the so-called Gay Village in a interesting and trendy area on the edge of the city centre, very near to the stadium which hosted several World Cup games. Not sure if Cape Town truly deserves the "gay capital" status bestowed on it about a decade ago but its a very cosmopolitan, relaxed and gay friendly city (although the vibe in clubs and bars might be ageist and somewhat unfriendly to the over 50's). The number of gay venues dimishes rapidly in the smaller cities like Durban, Port Elizabeth etc. The rent boy scene is more like the Western "rough-trade" at one end of the scale and top-end escort offerings at the other. Nothing like the Thailand thing which we all know is almost unique.

True to say that South Africa is fairly accessible to Thai's in terms of direct flights and visa-on-arrival. The cost of getting here and difficulty in obtaining work permits are probably severe limitations for many. Cape Town has a small Thai community mainly involved in the restaurant industry which collectively stages a Thai New Year event every year which is fun and interesting. There are some Thai massage offerings (both male and female). It would be a great place for farang/thai couples to visit.

Cape Town is very Eurocentric and those expecting it to be "African" will probably be disappointed. Johannesburg is way more developed and "western" than other African capitals but is more representative of the various cultures and diversity of South Africa.
User avatar
Rogie
Posts: 204
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:51 pm
Location: UK (England)
Has thanked: 46 times
Been thanked: 4 times

Re: SOUTH AFRICA

Post by Rogie »

Brett wrote:As requested, a new topic......
An interesting read - thank you Brett.

Is there much obvious, by which I mean out in the open, homophobia? If so, do the authorities, (police, politicians etc) do anything about it?

If homophobia isn't a problem, what might the reasons be for that?

Reason for asking (apart from my own general interest): a poster on the Who are you? thread was kind of thinking aloud as to the possibility of bringing a young man from Thailand with him.
Brett

Re: SOUTH AFRICA

Post by Brett »

Interesting question.

Equality in terms of gender or sexual orientation was specifically enshrined in our constitution when adopted about 16 years ago. But as we know it is more about what goes on in peoples minds and hearts than what is written in the law books. There are certain sectors of the population who have traditionally homophobic views and there is a fringe sector which seems to find lesbianism particularly unacceptable. Fortunately we do not seem to have the scary mindset evident in other African countries (Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe to name a few) that homosexuality is "un African" and totally unacceptable. There are so many hot topics (press freedom, black empowerment, corruption etc) in South African politics and society right now that homophobia (albeit unconstitututional) would probably not be a headline issue.

It is highly highly unlikely that any tourists would be subjected to any form of homophobia in the major cities and in mainstream tourist activities.
pong
Posts: 638
Joined: Sun Aug 15, 2010 5:52 pm
Been thanked: 17 times

Re: SOUTH AFRICA

Post by pong »

was there once-several years ago. Really wonderful country.
That ''village'in Kaapstad was quiet small-and about dead on a normal afternoon. PLus that there was a robbery in the gay sauna right during my stay-I did not venture then.
Another interesting thing was that the BLue Elefant chain (if I remember well)-a famous Thai food chain-where they assume wine is the best thing to drink with Thai rice-also had opened there. I spoke some Thai with the people working.
Post Reply