Gay guide to Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia

Conservative Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, are about to get their first travel guide. The Utopia Guide to Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, will document places that are compatible with a gay lifestyle and include, restaurants, nightlife and activities.

Here is Bali, being gay and finding gay friendly places in not difficult. Seminyak has a decent gay population, both Indonesians and foreigners. Nightlife venues such as Kudos, Q Bar and others cater to a mostly gay crowd. There are also gay activities, including scuba diving. I know a guy who runs a ‘straight friendly’ diving business.

The gay scene in Indonesia is quite interesting. While its supposed to be repressed, you can find flamboyantly gay Indonesian men all over the place. Bali attracts them as the Hindu culture doesn’t discriminate. Actually some of the
pedanda’s (high priests) are flamboyantly gay, as the Balinese think they can communicate with the male and female Gods.

Indonesian TV has one flamboyantly gay host, for each show. Ika has the TV on when she is eating her lunch, and its a non-stop parade of these guys, whatever channel you go to a cute girl, will be paired with a gay guy. So on one level, Indonesians are comfortable with the gay scene already. I think Bali makes a great place for gay people to visit. Good restaurants, the sun, ocean, beach, spas, shopping, nightlife. Let’s hope The Utopia Guide will bring more gay visitors to Bali.