#it’s like. 1. in or near my city? 2. queer friendly? 3. STILL EXIST?

[cr0wc0rpse]

I wish I could call this place and ask “Hey can you be totally honest with me. Are you a queer friendly store? Will you look at me weird if I enter your store and seem a bit faggy? Be real with me please” because I would like to know before I decide to go

[karmanticmoved]

1-85 uwu

j esus okay

1. describe yourself.

uh,, emotional ig, dumbass, quiet, exhausted all of the time, v queer, healthy mix of feminine and masculine, insecure, and not tha t great tbh. kinda a pussy ass b itch

2. if you could go anywhere for a week all expenses paid where would it be?

idrk. maybe somewhere like a hella nice beach in another country, maybe somewhere in europe. i like travelling but i hate the travel to get there and have no money so i havent put thought into it. maybe hawaii or somewhere like that.

3. do you have siblings?

the one thats still alive is my half brother

4. what is your favorite constellation, why?

orion maybe bc i don't know a lot but i can see that one from my bedroom window even in the city n idk. its comforting. or scorpius cause i'm a scorpio

5. favorite color.

yellow, pink, or blue.

6. what kind of music do you listen to?

almost anything. whatever catches my interest.

7. favorite flower. (you can name as many as you want cause flowers are awesome)

forgot what i said last time but those

yellow carnations i think?

8. if you could do magic, what is the first spell you would learn?

maybe smth to put myself to sleep immediately bc f uCk

9. favorite childhood memory.

my summer camp memories are pretty great. also memories of my dad and i going fishing are good.

10. have you ever been cheated on?

i mean in theory i couldve been bc online relationships but no. n im polyam and have identified as such for a majority of my relationships so no.

11. if you could describe your perfect room, what would it be?

big but not too big, yknow? like big enough that it can be filled and have room to walk around and lay on the ground or whatever but not Empty. and a pretty big bed to stretch out on, n a closet in the room. multiple windows w blackout curtains so theres light but it can be blocked out. n fluffy rugs or carpeting but preferably rugs in case smth spills so we can get it out of at least Remove the rug. and probably a cat tree thing in corner for dipper. n a computer desk and actual lights that light up the whole room. but probably,, fairy lights too bc full lights too bright. and i kinda want a pink room but blue or yellow work also. a nd pride flags on the walls + posters and various other stuff bc plain walls are boring. and tons n tons of b ooks too.

12. favorite animal.

river otter

13. what was the last photo you took of?

cat

14. do you believe in soul mates?

i'm not sure. i do kinda think there are people who you will like. really really click with and who become so important in your life that they're like. apart of u yknow? but i don't think that anyone as an individual needs to keep those people in their life forever. they arent destined to stay with them, and they shouldnt force that relationship (platonic, familial, romantic, or whatever) even if they were close for years and years. screw destiny. youll have people you care about, and sometimes you have to break that bond to save yourself, and thats okay. there will be other people who can and will be just as important. that got kinda off topic skbsks. i don't think theres really like Destiny soulmates. but there could be like. soulmates in the sense of for however long we're together, we're soul bonded. even if its not forever. does that even make se nse skbsns

15. do you hang toilet paper over or under?

over is the one thats socially acceptable right

16. your go to place to eat & your favorite thing to get there.

idk theres a place near a movie theater closeish to my house and its a nice little cafe and i dont eat there bc i dont eat much in general but i get their bubble tea and i love. raspberry bubble tea w rose popping bubbles. its comfort drink.

17. do you believe everything happens for a reason?

no. sometimes shit happens for no reason, and its bullshit, but you can't reverse it, so you gotta figure out how to move on from it.

18. guilty pressures?

im assuming thats meant to be pleasures

umm,, idrk. i don't know what exactly i like that would count as a guilty pleasure so,,

19. favorite mythical creature, why?

merpeople are s o cool i fuckin. love funky aquatic pals hell yeah. maybe im just Water babey but. they're rad. dragons are also hella cool bc like dragons???? theyre scaly and prett y and can breathe fire or have wings and kill u?? also like selkies bc again. water. but i used to hear a lot of stories abt them and theyre so nea t

20. something most people don’t know about you.

i have the potential to be a huge asshole and also kinda Wish to fuckin murder someone sometimes but. i act nice most of the time anyway.

not murder murder but i can get angr y enough that i just wanna Stab smth

21. where did you grow up, what was it like?

grew up kinda near the edge of the city, still in it but not like the main city area. in western washington. it was kinda rly boring, i used to spend a lot more time outside or just by myself playing with leaves or toys or whatever. when i had friends i played make believe w them even when outside of school. so yeah. boring id say.

22. do you believe aliens exist?

sure.

23. what was your last google search?

other than names for some actors n stuff, i was looking up various star wars things

24. what did your last relationship teach you?

the one that like. ended? i guess thatd be. be careful with your own feelings and try to figure them out before jumping into anything, and also don't try to force smth that in reality isnt really working.

25. would you relocate for love?

honestly yeah

26. do you hold grudges or forgive easy?

both. it just depends on how badly i or someone i care about was hurt by it. more likely to hold a grudge if a friend was hurt by someone d eep enough to leave a lasting impact or if they don't get a genuine apology i will be 🔫🔫. or if the person keeps hurting them. even if that person is also my friend.

27. favorite book.

favorite graphic novel is bloom by kevin panetta

favorite books in general are autoboyography, more happy than not, and what if its us. all gay. i know. its okay. im a kinnie.

28. do you consider yourself an extrovert or introvert?

introvert by far

29. have you ever kept a journal, do you now?

i tried once. i probably will have to once i go see a therapist, or at least one for my Bad Thoughts

30. top 5 favorite movies.

in no particular order

little shop of horrors, love simon, coco, it (2017 and 1990), and shazam! ig? maybe others but i definitely Forgot all the shit ive watched

31. do you believe that everything happens for a reason?

no

32. what is your greatest fear?

definitely gotta be all of the people i love hating me and abandoning me or secretly hating me and then leaving me without saying anything. and the worst part is im always afraid its gonna happen babeyy

33. favorite alcoholic beverage.

im baby

34. most embarrassing thing you’ve done.

im embarrassed by my own existence. i don't remember the Most embarrassing thing

35. do you believe in ghosts?

not until i have proof that i can actually trust and believe in

36. what is the best and worst part of your personality?

idk ig im nice. but im also. very easily set off on certain emotions especially the bad ones which sucks like especially jealousy bc i dont wanna!! feel jealous!! tho i think that ties into my greatest fear bc my brain immediately tells me im useless to everyone and they hate me. but. sometimes i get jealous and then feel bad for that and then hate myself for all of it. bc my friends deserve to hang out w other people and care about other people im just fucking stupid babey !!

37. should you split the dinner bill?

i rly don't get why you wouldnt tbh like if u both wanna be there u should both pay. but if one person gonna pay it should be the person that asked.

38. are you a good liar?

most of the time. when it comes to my mental health i can either lie great or im literally breaking down in front of the person so

39. what keeps you up at night?

depressing thoughts. anxiety about everything. wishing i could cuddle and fall asleep w jay. sometimes i just cant sleep bc im too restless.

40. would you rather go without your phone or music?

music. i need my phone to text my friends and i Need my friends

41. do you believe in god?

what god would let the world get to the point its at. what god would allow people to do such fucked up shit.

no. i don't.

42. how do you relax when frustrated?

cry, take a nap, take a shower, listen to music, cuddle dipper

43. what’s something that offends you?

when people go "oh yeah i support gay rights but im still gonna eat at chick fil a bc its good" like i get so fucking. pissed off by that. youre not gonna fucking s ta rv e without their goddamn chicken. i know a bi person who goes there and says its okay bc they dont Directly Give Their money to Specifically anti gay organisations but im just. ugh. fucking pissed bc there are other places to get food just avoid the one place for fucks sake. their food is good it doesnt matter. its like saying yeah pewdiepie is a bad person and nazi and a racist asshole but his videos r funni haha so im gonna watch him anyway

44. favorite food

i hate myself whenever i eat food

45. if you were on a 10 hour flight and could sit and talk to any person the entire time, who would it be?

@destinedformuchmore or @pinaplelee

46. when do you feel the most confident?

never? but ig i feel confident when working on tech construction during theater tech. as long as i know what im doing.

47. what do you do in your free time?

sleep. draw. cry. play video games. talk to my friends.

48. is there anyone who has completely lost your respect

matpat did for being a dick abt neopronouns and making a transphobic joke and only apologizing when a cis person told him to. not when hundreds of trans people did. and also other jokes that are inherently offensive to various groups. a n d for making extremely not Child friendly jokes in his videos which are very much targeted towards kids. say what you will about the target audience, there are a lot of children who watch them. please stop making creepy nsfw jokes if you won't even swear, sir.

49. have you ever broken someone’s heart?

i guess so yeah. but she also broke mine first.

50. did/do you play sports in school?

i did. i don't anymore bc highschool sports are bullshit but. basketball, ultimate, and soccer.

51. when are you happiest?

talkin 2 jay prolly

52. coffee or tea?

tea

53. what is one possession you own you wouldn’t want to live without?

my binder. or my stuffed cat puppet thing ive had since i was 7

54. what is the first thing you notice about a person?

their general emotions, mostly. like if theyre in a good mood or if theyre bored or distracted or whatever. or if they seem interested in actually talking to me

55. what is your favorite season, why?

fall. my birthday, the atmosphere is nice, it's pretty, its hoodie weather.

56. what makes you laugh?

stupid little comments or jokes my friends make tend to make me laugh a lot harder than i should but jabdn

57. are you a clean or messy person?

a mix. i Cannot have some things messy or i will ksjqkd. Die but i don't make my bed too often bc its ha rd when its against 3 walls.

58. what is important for a successful relationship?

communication communication communicati

talk about ur goddamn problems n keep talking to each other.

59. what was your upcoming like?

if thats supposed to be upbringing

idk, very relaxed. pretty easygoing and kinda boring.

60. favorite holiday?

any holiday in december rly. i don't celebrate a Lot but the atmosphere and others celebrating is nice to see. i kinda wish my parents did more to embrace the jewish part in our family blike. whatever. christmas is fun.

61. what is the first thing you’d do if you won the lottery?

give half of it to my parents. and then probably use it for plane ticket

62. what’s the best pizza topping combination?

hawaiian pizza. pinapple n canadian bacon ty

63. favorite outdoor activity.

frisbee

64. how are you? honestly.

not great. i want highschool to end.

65. would you rather go camping in the woods or stay at a beach resort?

idk. camping is fun but if i get to stay at the resort for free i would rly love 2 stay at a resort tbh ive never done that

66. what is the most beautiful thing in nature?

waterfalls. or rivers or just. water in nature. and very green forests. aNd snow.

67. favorite type of candy?

none

68. if your life was a book, what would be the title?

i can and will do arson, an autobiography

69. what movie quotes do you use of a regular bases?

i quote john mulaney and whatever my obsessions are pretty regularly

70. what was cool when you were young but not cool now?

silly bandz. pokemon cards. these weird unicorn figures i collected

71. what’s the craziest conversation you have ever eves dropped on?

im mostly the one having the weird conversations

72. what’s the most interesting documentary you’ve ever watched?

i watched one about dogs and cats and their evolution which was lit

73. what’s the worst hairstyle you’ve had?

when i let the lady just go fuckin ham on my hair bc i was watching spirit that horse movie and didnt wanna stop so it was. rly bad bangs and hella short in back but not the sides

74. what do you like to cook?

whatever im hungry for. i don't have the energy to cook a lot

75. what’s the coolest animal you’ve seen in the wild?

really pretty tropical fish

76. what’s the funniest tv show you’ve ever seen?

idk. i rly like schitts creek its pretty amusing

77. do you usually follow your heart or your head?

heart at first but my head if things get bad

78. what is your favorite quote?

"i have a splitting headache and i think i'm dying. how are you?"

or a character just saying "try harder" when another failed to do smth.

this is supposed to be deep or whatever but im in a Mood

79. what’s the weirdest crush you have ever had?

once had a crush on a character in a minecraft parody lmao

80. what’s your love language?

sending shit that makes me think of them. n just. making tons of stuff for them both online and irl like bracelets.

81. do you ever feel alone?

oh yeah. all the time. im not but it feels like i am which sucks

82. ever been bullied?

yeah

83. are you usually early or late?

late bc of my parents rip

84. what kind of art do you enjoy most?

drawing, or writing. also theater.

85. what do you wish you knew more about?

i just wish i could remember everything ive learned more about. i know a lot i just forget all.

id like to know more about forensics tho

[oldtumblhurgoyf]

The Success of Magic Story’s New Era

About three years ago the way Magic story is told changed dramatically. It entered a new era where we would follow the Gatewatch, and Wizards of the Coast outlined three objectives for the story:

1. Story should be accessible 2. Story should be aligned 3. Story should be relevant

I found these objectives, along with the focus on a constant cast of recurring characters whose stories would span worlds and sets, an exciting prospect. On some really fundamental storytelling levels it made sense. As far as selling Magic product (not just cards, but mainly cards), it makes sense--Wizards has access to numbers I don’t that I presume back this up given that the new era of Magic story hasn’t substantially changed since it went into place.

But how effective have they been at achieving these goals?

Before continuing I want to be clear that I am going to be very critical of what the story team and Wizards of the Coast has accomplished. I want to preface that by saying that I am pretty head-over-heels in love with Magic story and a huge fan of what they’ve done in the last three years especially. I’ve praised the story quite a bit in the past. This post exists to point out where they can improve in the future.

Let’s go down the three point list and assess each objective independently. 

1. Story should be accessible

Accessibility is up first. In the article linked above, Jenna Helland focuses almost entirely on portraying story in the cards. At the end of the short paragraph she mentions doing sequential weekly storytelling on the mother site. While showing story on the cards does make it more accessible to players, and free short fiction online is readily available to most in a way that physical novels are not, I think they started off by selling the idea of accessibility way short.

Accessibility as defined above can, I think, more aptly be rolled into the second objective of aligning Magic story across multiple venues. Online fiction, cards, digital products, and other venues should all be sharing the same story. They’ve kind of jumped off this thing with a fundamental misunderstanding of what accessibility means.

The rise of @voiceofallmtg is the most prominent example I’m aware of where fans have risen to the occasion to fill a gap in accessibility that should be seen as standard inclusion practices. For a variety of reasons people are not able to enjoy Magic story as published weekly on the mother site in text format alone. Audio versions of the story would require committing resources from Wizards of the Coast. It doesn’t come free. However, the fan model which includes multiple voice actors and sound effects is not the only way to provide quality aural experience--a single voice actor reading the text would suffice and is in no way an insurmountable or even highly consequential cost for such a company. The continual lack of such accommodation is a failure.

Magic story is more accessible than ever before: it is no as accessible as it should be and this in part stems from the bar for accessibility being set to “make it free online and show it on the cards.”

2. Story should be aligned

This is the greatest success of the new era of story telling in Magic. While each venue offers unique challenges and cannot always tell the same story, it widely succeeds at the very least at providing fans who experience singular and different venues for Magic story the same broad strokes of the story. Everyone knows Emrakul was sealed away in the moon of Innistrad. While not everyone may be aware that it’s because Emrakul basically chose to make that happen, they at least know that threat is hanging over the plane and can be invoked again at any time.

The biggest issue I see with this sort of story telling is when the stories don’t match tonally across multiple venues. Ixalan is, I think, the prime example of this in the new era. Zendikar details a planar war against extraplanar threats; Kaladesh show a revolt of the people; Amonkhet details the foretold armageddon of the city. Yet Ixalan story is modeled after a farce and is played much more comically in the story than what is conveyed through cards. Huatli and Angrath are an odd couple who I was laughing at multiple times. None of that is conveyed on the cards and yet it is central to how their relationship worked in story. Heck, on cards alone you probably don’t even know they ever interacted in a friendly manner.

That specific example can be explained away--cards provide the broad strokes of the story and can’t detail every interaction of relationship. But the issue I have here is deeper than that. Magic cards almost always have a relatively serious tone that in the case of Ixalan story didn’t convey what was going on aside from the broad strokes and in fact actively worked against the portrayal offered by the weekly fiction. Ixalan story on the cards and mechanics shows four factions fighting a war for control over a seat of power. Ixalan story in the fiction is more of a wacky rat race full of misunderstanding and folly.

So while I assess this as the objective that has had the strongest success, I think further care should be put toward matching the tone on more of the cards to the overall tone of the story, even if most of the cards aren’t portraying story events. This also should lead Wizards to ask themselves if the tone the story calls for is one they are willing to show on the cards in a manner that properly evokes it. I believe in the case of Ixalan story that answer would be a no and in which case they should perhaps reconsider what story they choose to tell.

3. Story should be relevant

It’s impossible to say Magic story has not been relevant. For me specifically, my deepest praise of particular Magic stories has often come down to personal relevance they hold for me. I back it up with some English major jargon because I’ve got a degree in that and I think that provides a clearer way of talking about, not just my experiences with it, but how others likely connect to it, but it really comes down to “this story makes me feel something important.”

On that front, there are two major failings as I see them, with one being much larger than the other. The smaller of the two is Kaladesh story ending the revolution by deposing a dictator but without any fundamental change to the system which allowed this dictator power in the first place. It’s a milquetoast liberal take on revolution and does a disservice to the idea but I’m also not surprised that Wizards R&D and story isn’t full of anarchists so I’m not too hung up on that.

However, we know for a fact that LGBTQ people work at Wizards and yet the story has yet to portray even a single canonically queer planeswalker. We’ve had hints and teases, but no delivery after three years of the new era of story telling. That makes this the biggest failing with regard to the relevance of Magic story. There are real human connections to be made--that need to be made--through such representation and yet the closest we seem to get is Chandra getting flustered near Nissa. And she can’t even explicitly think why!

This is why @thegaymagicstory has decided to take up the cause and again provide a fan-made solution to a gap in Wizards of the Coast’s efforts.

In Closing

Again, this was a critical take of Wizards’ efforts. Overall their new era of story telling has been a singular and incredible success. On a personal level I greatly enjoy it and look forward to experiencing it. But obviously that doesn’t mean it’s perfect or that it can’t be improved. I mentioned two fan endeavors in this post that I hope have great success. I also still hope that Wizards steps up and delivers in big ways. How many fans who have difficulty enjoying the text version of Magic story will never learn of the fan-made audio version? How many LGBTQ fans will never be aware of a fan effort to represent them in Magic?

Fan efforts are commendable but never enough. @wizardsmagic still has a lot to deliver.

[thebestintoronto]

An Insider’s Guide to Jane’s Walk Toronto 2019

City walking was not part of my experience growing up in my native Mexico. For the most part, the south of Mexico can be unbearably hot and humid for most of the year, which means that the majority of us jump from indoor environments into air-conditioned vehicles, and back to another indoor environment in an endless loop. Long distances, safety concerns, and urban planning that prioritizes cars over pedestrians were other issues that made the act of walking more challenging than enjoyable.

Since my arrival in Canada in the early aughts, I have developed a habit of walking as much as I can, regardless of the weather or distances. Walking is how I got to know every pocket of downtown Toronto, how I met a lot of friends, and how I got to understand the spirit of our city. Today, my walking habits have even become a running joke between members of my large family living abroad. Whenever they visit me, they know to bring the most comfortable shoes they can find since, as they correctly assume, I will force them to walk to the point of exhaustion. In Toronto, I discovered joy in walking. Walking continues to provide a clear-headed space for myself; one in which I can be more present and more engaged with my surroundings.

Having the opportunity to be part of the organizing team behind the 2019 edition of Jane’s Walk Toronto has been an impactful an eye-opening experience. I now realize how much of the city I’ve been secluded from and ignorant about. Over the last few months, I’ve met countless people whose love of the city and engagement with their communities have changed my perception of what it means to call yourself a resident of a neighbourhood or city. Most of these folks are extremely active members of their communities, promoting a more participant and engaged kind of social cohesion. Their interests, initiatives, and concerns are wildly varied—a reminder that everyone’s experience of our city is vastly different, and a concept embodied in the wide array of free, citizen-led walks that will be offered during Jane’s Walk Toronto 2019.

To give you a small taste of some of the themes that will be explored this year, I’ve compiled a short list of the walks that have piqued my interest and that I’m looking forward to attending. My interests can be slightly eclectic, but this list offers a balanced mix of my personal interests, which includes LGBTQ+ history, the arts, the weird and esoteric, as well as some areas of the city or topics that I’m clueless about, like plants, Scarborough, and the PATH.

As you will notice from the list below, there’s something for everybody at Jane’s Walk Toronto 2019. If you feel like there’s a lack of certain themes, conversations or areas of the city, I invite you to sign up as a walk leader, which you can easily do until May 2nd. Remember, you don’t have to be an expert on anything, simply be willing to open yourself up and share the stories about the places you live, work, and play in.

I hope to see you out on the streets the first weekend of May!

Organized by date and time, I present to you my insider’s guide to Jane’s Walk Toronto 2019:

Malvern: Past, Present and Future

Friday, May 3rd AND Saturday, May 4th. 11 AM. Led by Auriel Haynes with Malvern Action for Neighbourhood Change.

We will discuss the ever-evolving landscape of the area and the importance of protecting the green-spaces and wildlife that still call Malvern home. The walk will end at the Malvern Library. There will be stops at the new skate park, places of worship, local businesses, community hubs and gardens.

Queer East: From the Toolbox to Church

Friday, May 3rd. 5:30 PM. Led by Geraldine Cahill.

If you catch yourself staring at the north-west corner of Eastern Ave and Morse St, there is no reason to imagine this was once a gay landmark, just steps away from Toronto’s Hells Angels headquarters. But so it was. The Queer East Jane’s Walk will explore what other hidden histories exist in Leslieville and Riverdale, including unlikely queer hot spots and enduring queer-friendly businesses and community hubs. Join us as we kick-off Jane’s Walk 2019 celebrating Toronto’s lesser-celebrated but still deeply significant, queer neighbourhood.

Toronto’s PATH – Network, History, & Art Tour

Saturday, May 4th. 11 AM. Led by Patrick Burke and Brodie Johnson of the Financial District BIA.

The Toronto Financial District BIA will show you the highlights of the PATH, answer your questions and tell you how they’re working to improve signage so that more people can start using the PATH.

Churches & Dragons: Stories of Old Agincourt

Saturday, May 4th. 1 PM. Led by Howard Tam.

Come for a fascinating walk around old Agincourt in Scarborough! We’ll explore a place where the 19th century meets modernism and the heart of “Asiancourt” – one of the most diverse communities in Toronto. We’ll touch on early Scarborough settlers, development of a suburb and the lessons of planning & racial tension around the Dragon Centre. We’ll stop to discuss the Agincourt Recreation Centre, its tragic recent fire and what we’d hope to see as it rebuilds.

Internet Mysticism in Wychwood Park

Saturday, May 4th. 2 PM. Led by Parker Kay with the Centre for Experimental Research.

There is an oasis at the centre of Toronto. Near Davenport and Christie, Wychwood Park was designed in 1874 to be an artists’ haven. The neighbourhood has many intriguing elements such as the unique presence of Arts and Crafts architecture, suspicious deaths, residents like Marshall McLuhan, and traces of the now hidden Taddle Creek. This walk will not only explore this unique piece of Toronto history but also how it has resisted the pull towards a digital existence. Because of its publicly accessible private land designation, Wychwood Park’s streets escapes the eyes of Google Maps and have developed an augmented allure due to an emerging term: Internet Mysticism.

Jane’s Walk Toronto 2019 will take place city-wide from May 3-5, 2019.

The post “An Insider’s Guide to Jane’s Walk Toronto 2019″ was seen first on Spacing Toronto

Intravenous Hydration Clinic Toronto Ontario - Dr. Amauri Wellness Centre - Dr. Amauri Caversan

[bookingbuys-blog]

5 LGBTQ Travel Tips for Asia

Posted: 11/7/2019 | November 7th, 2019 In this guest post, Charlotte Hockin offers some insight into gay travel in Asia. She and her girlfriend, Natalie, have been traveling around the continent for the past two years. Here’s what they’ve learned from traveling as a lesbian couple in Asia. Asia is a vibrant, diverse, and exciting continent to visit. However, for LGBT travelers, it can sometimes seem like a daunting prospect. There are countries that criminalize homosexuality, deeply pious states and regions, and places that have negative social opinions of the LGBT community. It doesn’t exactly sound like all fun and rainbows, does it? When my girlfriend and I set off on our Asian adventures two years ago, we had no idea what to expect but admittedly were rattled. Not only were we backpacking for the first time but we were traveling as a couple. Neither of us were really into social media at that point, so it almost felt like we were alone. The only lesbian couple to ever travel! Sounds silly, I know, but that’s how it felt. Fast-forward two years, and we’ve spent the better part of that time traveling around Asia. And do you know what? Gay travel there has been one hell of a ride! I mean, we’ve experienced it all: we’ve visited gay-friendly destinations, attended illegal drag shows, stayed with local families, and on the rare occasion, been the victim of discrimination and hostility. With this in mind, we have put together this comprehensive guide for LGBT travelers in Asia (excluding the Middle-East & Russia). We want to share our experiences as a same-sex couple in Asia, as well as lay out all the factors that you should consider when planning your trip. We believe that travel should be for everyone, and with our guidance, you can look forward to an incredible and, most importantly, safe journey of a lifetime. Tip 1: Research local laws

When planning your trip, it’s important to be aware of local laws regarding the LGBT community in each country you want to visit. At the same time, I don’t want you to make the common mistake of obsessing about these laws. Or worse, letting the law prevent you from visiting certain places. Often, the laws relating to acts of homosexuality are incredibly complex. Some only apply to gay men, others mean the LGBT community are not protected from discrimination, and some countries implement sharia law. Governments do not expect tourists to get their head around this for the sake of a two-week trip. As a result, these laws are usually only enforced for locals, not tourists. Nevertheless, that’s not to say you shouldn’t exercise caution when in public places. We suggest avoiding any public display of affection (PDA) or anything you think may draw unnecessary attention. Not just for the purpose of the law, but for the sake of being respectful. (I will touch further on understanding local cultures and social opinions below.) On the other hand, some LGBT travelers may not want to even visit countries where these laws exist. And that’s understandable. But Asia is a huge continent. To put things into perspective, out of the 72 countries that still criminalize homosexuality, just 10 are in Asia (outside the Middle East and Russia). That means that even if you wanted to boycott the countries where anti-gay laws are in place, close to 80% of Asia is yours for the taking. Personally, we don’t have an issue visiting countries where homosexuality is illegal. We’ve spent a lot of time in the past two years in Malaysia, for example, where Islamic law prevails, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. (Pristine beaches, delectable cuisine, vibrant culture — what’s not to love?) In the larger cities, such as Kuala Lumpur and Penang, we found a buzzing LGBT community. And we even illegally attended a spectacular drag show! So I guess what I’m trying to say is: you don’t need to dismiss traveling in Asia for the sake of a few old-fashioned laws. Gay travel there is way too much fun for that! Here are a few resources to help you research local laws: The International Lesbian and Gay Association – Their world map summarizes sexual orientation laws by country. Human Dignity Trust – This website has fact sheets on countries that criminalize homosexuality. State Sponsored Homophobia Report – Check out their 2017 world survey for a list of sexual orientation laws. Tip 2: Understand the local culture

Understanding and respecting the local culture in each place you visit is just as — if not more — important than the first tip. Why? Well, think about it: you’re going to spend way more time in the company of residents than you are around law enforcement officers. Comprehending the social opinion of locals could save you a lot of awkwardness and funny looks in the long run. You see, what we discovered is that even in some countries where homosexuality is legal, it remains taboo in the community. This could be due to religious beliefs, a lack of education around the subject, or, in some cases, plain bigotry. However, isn’t that so in most places? Even in the most advanced countries, I think we can safely say there is room for improvement. At the same time, understanding the local culture is also important for every traveler. PDA, for example, is frowned upon in most countries in Asia — even if you are a straight couple. On the other hand, holding hands with somebody of the same sex is extremely common in India, whether it be your brother, sister, friend, or otherwise. This is why it’s essential to educate yourself in advance, so you know what to expect. The typical social situations we have found ourselves in have never been a cause for concern when traveling in Asia. Often people assume we are sisters or friends. And even on the rare occasion that we’ve tried to explain our relationship, some locals don’t understand. We once stayed with a family in Indonesia for over a week, and they never could get their head around the fact that we were a couple. But that was OK with us. What’s important is that they treated us like family, and honestly, it’s one of our most memorable travel experiences. On the other hand, there have been times where we were allocated a twin room despite booking a double, been catcalled for being lesbians, and had religious jargon thrown at us. But again, doesn’t this happen everywhere? We certainly didn’t allow these minor incidents to ruin our travel experience. On the grand scale of things, these are few and far between amid all the breathtaking experiences we had. The United Nations Development Programme has a series of country reports about Being LGBT in Asia, including in-depth sections devoted to cultural and social attitudes. Tip 3: Be prepared to adapt

When you take into consideration everything we’ve talked about, being prepared to adapt is part and parcel of gay travel in Asia. Although, when you think about it, doesn’t this apply to all travelers? What I’m trying to say is that any place you travel to is bound to require an element of adaptation, whether it be the food you eat, the clothes you wear, or the way in which you address the locals. It’s about recognizing what’s socially acceptable and behaving in a way that’s both respectful and appropriate. That said, it’s a controversial subject whether LGBT couples should travel to destinations where they can’t be entirely themselves. We get challenged on this a lot, and our point is simply this: There are many elements to some religions, cultures, and the like, that I’m sure many of us don’t agree with. However, does that mean we should boycott those countries? I think it would leave a very limited pool to choose from if that were the case. At the same time, we can empathize with those who may not feel comfortable traveling to places where they can’t be themselves. Or perhaps feel anxious as a solo LGBT traveler or an LGBT couple. If this is the case, there are plenty of gay-friendly travel destinations both in Asia and elsewhere in the world. Either way, so long as you do your research and take all the necessary precautions, you have no reason to be afraid. Tip 4: Look up the local gay scene

When traveling to a new place, one of the first things we do is look up if there’s a local gay scene. Let’s face it: everybody knows that gay bars are the most fun! But on a serious note, it’s comforting knowing there is a safe place you can go to — a space where you can be yourself without judgment and let your hair down. Thankfully, most Asian countries boast an active gay scene of some kind. Particularly in the big cities, you can expect to find gay bars, nightclubs, saunas, gay-friendly hotels, and drag shows in abundance! We’ve had some of the wildest nights of our travels exploring the local gay scene. Whether it’s bar-hopping in Bangkok or attending illegal drag shows in Kuala Lumpur, you’re guaranteed a night to remember! While a quick Google search will tell you where all the queer fun is at, Travel Gay Asia is an excellent website for finding LGBT-friendly spots in any city. Tip 5: Connect with other LGBT travelers or locals

Again, socializing with people who understand you and won’t judge you is a reassuring way to adapt to a new place or culture. Of course, locating the local gay scene is a great start; however, not everybody has the guts to walk into a bar or nightclub on their own and attempt to make friends. Thankfully, there are easier ways of meeting people in this day and age. Yes, the good old web has inundated us with opportunities to connect with like-minded people. We suggest using social media to locate other LGBT travelers or locals in your area. Facebook is a fantastic platform for this, where a simple search will yield results for any LGBT groups in your area. Similarly, navigating certain hashtags on Instagram such as #gaybangkok or #LGBTAsia can help you locate all things LGBT near you. Some useful platforms for meeting people are: Tinder Plenty of Fish Couchsurfing Purple Roofs (for finding LGBT-friendly accommodation) You don’t need to use the above dating apps in any sort of romantic way either — they are just great resources for connecting with LGBT locals and travelers. If you’re lucky, you may find yourself connecting with a local who can show you all the best spots in their area. *** While Gay Travel in Asia might seem daunting, it is far less scary than it sounds on paper. As a whole, we can honestly say we had nothing but a positive experience and made memories that will last us a lifetime. Asia is an extraordinary continent, oozing adventure, beauty, and culture. By following the advice in our article, and taking advantage of all the useful resources we’ve provided, we are confident Asia will steal your heart. Just as she has stolen ours. Charlotte and Natalie are the explorers and adventurers behind Our Taste For Life. You will often find them wandering off the beaten path, immersed in nature, or enjoying authentic cultural experiences. The rest of the time, you will find them eating. Follow their journey on their blog or Instagram. Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: World Nomads (for everyone below 70) Read the full article

[tamboradventure]

5 LGBTQ Travel Tips for Asia

Posted: 11/7/2019 | November 7th, 2019

In this guest post, Charlotte Hockin offers some insight into gay travel in Asia. She and her girlfriend, Natalie, have been traveling around the continent for the past two years. Here’s what they’ve learned from traveling as a lesbian couple in Asia.

Asia is a vibrant, diverse, and exciting continent to visit. However, for LGBT travelers, it can sometimes seem like a daunting prospect. There are countries that criminalize homosexuality, deeply pious states and regions, and places that have negative social opinions of the LGBT community. It doesn’t exactly sound like all fun and rainbows, does it?

When my girlfriend and I set off on our Asian adventures two years ago, we had no idea what to expect but admittedly were rattled. Not only were we backpacking for the first time but we were traveling as a couple. Neither of us were really into social media at that point, so it almost felt like we were alone. The only lesbian couple to ever travel! Sounds silly, I know, but that’s how it felt.

Fast-forward two years, and we’ve spent the better part of that time traveling around Asia. And do you know what? Gay travel there has been one hell of a ride! I mean, we’ve experienced it all: we’ve visited gay-friendly destinations, attended illegal drag shows, stayed with local families, and on the rare occasion, been the victim of discrimination and hostility.

With this in mind, we have put together this comprehensive guide for LGBT travelers in Asia (excluding the Middle-East & Russia). We want to share our experiences as a same-sex couple in Asia, as well as lay out all the factors that you should consider when planning your trip.

We believe that travel should be for everyone, and with our guidance, you can look forward to an incredible and, most importantly, safe journey of a lifetime.

Tip 1: Research local laws

When planning your trip, it’s important to be aware of local laws regarding the LGBT community in each country you want to visit. At the same time, I don’t want you to make the common mistake of obsessing about these laws. Or worse, letting the law prevent you from visiting certain places.

Often, the laws relating to acts of homosexuality are incredibly complex. Some only apply to gay men, others mean the LGBT community are not protected from discrimination, and some countries implement sharia law. Governments do not expect tourists to get their head around this for the sake of a two-week trip. As a result, these laws are usually only enforced for locals, not tourists.

Nevertheless, that’s not to say you shouldn’t exercise caution when in public places. We suggest avoiding any public display of affection (PDA) or anything you think may draw unnecessary attention. Not just for the purpose of the law, but for the sake of being respectful. (I will touch further on understanding local cultures and social opinions below.)

On the other hand, some LGBT travelers may not want to even visit countries where these laws exist. And that’s understandable. But Asia is a huge continent.

To put things into perspective, out of the 72 countries that still criminalize homosexuality, just 10 are in Asia (outside the Middle East and Russia). That means that even if you wanted to boycott the countries where anti-gay laws are in place, close to 80% of Asia is yours for the taking.

Personally, we don’t have an issue visiting countries where homosexuality is illegal. We’ve spent a lot of time in the past two years in Malaysia, for example, where Islamic law prevails, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. (Pristine beaches, delectable cuisine, vibrant culture — what’s not to love?)

In the larger cities, such as Kuala Lumpur and Penang, we found a buzzing LGBT community. And we even illegally attended a spectacular drag show!

So I guess what I’m trying to say is: you don’t need to dismiss traveling in Asia for the sake of a few old-fashioned laws. Gay travel there is way too much fun for that!

Here are a few resources to help you research local laws:

The International Lesbian and Gay Association – Their world map summarizes sexual orientation laws by country.

Human Dignity Trust – This website has fact sheets on countries that criminalize homosexuality.

State Sponsored Homophobia Report – Check out their 2017 world survey for a list of sexual orientation laws.

Tip 2: Understand the local culture

Understanding and respecting the local culture in each place you visit is just as — if not more — important than the first tip. Why? Well, think about it: you’re going to spend way more time in the company of residents than you are around law enforcement officers. Comprehending the social opinion of locals could save you a lot of awkwardness and funny looks in the long run.

You see, what we discovered is that even in some countries where homosexuality is legal, it remains taboo in the community. This could be due to religious beliefs, a lack of education around the subject, or, in some cases, plain bigotry.

However, isn’t that so in most places? Even in the most advanced countries, I think we can safely say there is room for improvement.

At the same time, understanding the local culture is also important for every traveler. PDA, for example, is frowned upon in most countries in Asia — even if you are a straight couple.

On the other hand, holding hands with somebody of the same sex is extremely common in India, whether it be your brother, sister, friend, or otherwise.

This is why it’s essential to educate yourself in advance, so you know what to expect.

The typical social situations we have found ourselves in have never been a cause for concern when traveling in Asia. Often people assume we are sisters or friends. And even on the rare occasion that we’ve tried to explain our relationship, some locals don’t understand. We once stayed with a family in Indonesia for over a week, and they never could get their head around the fact that we were a couple.

But that was OK with us. What’s important is that they treated us like family, and honestly, it’s one of our most memorable travel experiences.

On the other hand, there have been times where we were allocated a twin room despite booking a double, been catcalled for being lesbians, and had religious jargon thrown at us.

But again, doesn’t this happen everywhere?

We certainly didn’t allow these minor incidents to ruin our travel experience. On the grand scale of things, these are few and far between amid all the breathtaking experiences we had.

The United Nations Development Programme has a series of country reports about Being LGBT in Asia, including in-depth sections devoted to cultural and social attitudes.

Tip 3: Be prepared to adapt

When you take into consideration everything we’ve talked about, being prepared to adapt is part and parcel of gay travel in Asia. Although, when you think about it, doesn’t this apply to all travelers?

What I’m trying to say is that any place you travel to is bound to require an element of adaptation, whether it be the food you eat, the clothes you wear, or the way in which you address the locals. It’s about recognizing what’s socially acceptable and behaving in a way that’s both respectful and appropriate.

That said, it’s a controversial subject whether LGBT couples should travel to destinations where they can’t be entirely themselves. We get challenged on this a lot, and our point is simply this: There are many elements to some religions, cultures, and the like, that I’m sure many of us don’t agree with. However, does that mean we should boycott those countries? I think it would leave a very limited pool to choose from if that were the case.

At the same time, we can empathize with those who may not feel comfortable traveling to places where they can’t be themselves. Or perhaps feel anxious as a solo LGBT traveler or an LGBT couple. If this is the case, there are plenty of gay-friendly travel destinations both in Asia and elsewhere in the world. Either way, so long as you do your research and take all the necessary precautions, you have no reason to be afraid.

Tip 4: Look up the local gay scene

When traveling to a new place, one of the first things we do is look up if there’s a local gay scene. Let’s face it: everybody knows that gay bars are the most fun! But on a serious note, it’s comforting knowing there is a safe place you can go to — a space where you can be yourself without judgment and let your hair down.

Thankfully, most Asian countries boast an active gay scene of some kind. Particularly in the big cities, you can expect to find gay bars, nightclubs, saunas, gay-friendly hotels, and drag shows in abundance! We’ve had some of the wildest nights of our travels exploring the local gay scene. Whether it’s bar-hopping in Bangkok or attending illegal drag shows in Kuala Lumpur, you’re guaranteed a night to remember!

While a quick Google search will tell you where all the queer fun is at, Travel Gay Asia is an excellent website for finding LGBT-friendly spots in any city.

Tip 5: Connect with other LGBT travelers or locals

Again, socializing with people who understand you and won’t judge you is a reassuring way to adapt to a new place or culture. Of course, locating the local gay scene is a great start; however, not everybody has the guts to walk into a bar or nightclub on their own and attempt to make friends.

Thankfully, there are easier ways of meeting people in this day and age. Yes, the good old web has inundated us with opportunities to connect with like-minded people.

We suggest using social media to locate other LGBT travelers or locals in your area. Facebook is a fantastic platform for this, where a simple search will yield results for any LGBT groups in your area. Similarly, navigating certain hashtags on Instagram such as #gaybangkok or #LGBTAsia can help you locate all things LGBT near you.

Some useful platforms for meeting people are:

Tinder

Plenty of Fish

Couchsurfing

Purple Roofs (for finding LGBT-friendly accommodation)

You don’t need to use the above dating apps in any sort of romantic way either — they are just great resources for connecting with LGBT locals and travelers. If you’re lucky, you may find yourself connecting with a local who can show you all the best spots in their area.

***

While Gay Travel in Asia might seem daunting, it is far less scary than it sounds on paper. As a whole, we can honestly say we had nothing but a positive experience and made memories that will last us a lifetime. Asia is an extraordinary continent, oozing adventure, beauty, and culture. By following the advice in our article, and taking advantage of all the useful resources we’ve provided, we are confident Asia will steal your heart. Just as she has stolen ours.

Charlotte and Natalie are the explorers and adventurers behind Our Taste For Life. You will often find them wandering off the beaten path, immersed in nature, or enjoying authentic cultural experiences. The rest of the time, you will find them eating. Follow their journey on their blog or Instagram.

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and that will save you time and money too!

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