Gay Tourism in Israel

140r265 — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:36:37 +0000

Gay tour director Russell Lord, who has traveled extensively in the Middle East, to Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and the Gulf regions, says Israel, particularly Tel Aviv, is a different world. The closest semi-progressive city, still far away in attitude, would be Beirut. In March 2005, Russell and his partner were married on a trip to Toronto, and upon returning to Tel Aviv they went to get the status on their official identification cards changed from “single” to “married” and were denied. With four other couples they went to court and won, so in December 2006, Russell was the first citizen of Israel to receive official identification labeling him as married to a partner of the same sex. It was a Supreme Court case of such importance that it was ruled on by seven judges as opposed to the traditional three (another case requiring seven judges was the decision to withdraw from the Gaza Strip). The five couples won 6-to-1 in a decision handed down to a packed courthouse. “Every faggot in Israel wanted to be there,” quips Lord, “It was the place to be seen.” Since then there has been no backlash at all, not one crank call. “Some of the most religious people I met told me ‘Mazel Tov.’” Lord’s work with inbound international gay tourists has given him plenty of perspective on what GLBT tourists look for, and what they can find in Tel Aviv.

Personal safety is a concern for many, and Russell is quick to calm fears. “There’s never been a real problem with hate crimes,” he assures, the worst crime against a gay man he has heard of in years was a tourist having his pocket picked. The city’s acceptance of everyone is his favorite quality about which to boast, “You have to remember, Dana International [trans star and Israel’s most visible Eurovision entrant, winning the international contest in 1998] was sent on a promotion tour by the government to many countries to represent Israel. Who else can say a transsexual was the spokesperson for an entire country?” Tel Aviv’s openness makes it gayer than people believe until they arrive. Lord says the incoming gay tourists he books are about 85% gay males, but he loves all the “great groups organized by lesbian rabbis.” Mostly he loves being able to be himself anywhere in the city along with his partner, Avi. Being out and active as a gay man and as part of a committed couple is a priority he takes very seriously.

via Passport Magazine

Posted in Asia, Travel

2 Trav 2 Vietnam

140r265 — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:32:25 +0000

It’s easy now! I’m seriously. Despite political control in this country is still in the Communist Party hands Vietnam’s tourist facilities are established well enough already in such places as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, some beach and mountain resorts as well. Today this is fast developing, mainly agrarian country in the process of moving from a centrally planned to a market economy and might be highly interesting for visiting with its deep history and cultural traditions. Here is the list of places recommended to visit by most of travel services.

1 Sapa
Swoon at the valley views from this rugged mountain retreat, a home to a wealth of minority peoples and a base for exploring the Tonkinese Alps.
2 Halong Bay
Experience nature at its outrageous best, where hundreds of limestone peaks tower above the shimmering seas, a karst system with a difference
3 Hanoi
Steeped in history, pulsating with life, bubbling with commerce, buzzing with motorbikes and rich in exotic scents, this is a captivating capital

4 Mai Chau
Go native with an overnight stay in a traditional Thai stilt house, amid the lush valleys
5 Ninh Binh
Encounter rural life from this country town, surrounded by ancient temples, limestone crags, nature reserves and endless paddies
6 Hué
Intellectual, cultural and spiritual heartbeat of Vietnam, the old imperial capital offers historical, spiritual and culinary stimulation
7 Hoi An
Spared from wartime devastation, Hoi An’s cobbled lanes and historic buildings make for a magical and memorable stop

8 Quy Nhon
Access beautiful beaches and amazing Cham architecture from one of the coast’s less touristy cities
9 Nha Trang
Beach culture to the max, this is the place to chill out, party hard or dive into the turquoise depths
10 Dalat
A completely different view of Vietnam, this mountain town combines the French Alps with plenty of Bohemian cool

11 Cat Tien National Park
Lush refuge for city dwellers with ample hiking and bird-watching opportunities, plus elephants, crocodiles and the endangered Javan rhino
12 Mui Ne
Action or inertia, take your pick, this place is made for surfing (wind, board or kite) or blobbing on the beach
13 Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam’s commercial heart, a riverside metropolis of old and new with world-class restaurants and bars, and buzzing, seductive energy
14 Mekong Delta
Watery world of bustling river towns and sleepy villages, floating markets and tasty fish served by uber-friendly locals
15 Phu Quoc
White-sand beaches and little development make for a magical tropical getaway on this forested island gem

Posted in Asia

2 Trav 2 » Asia

Gay Tourism in Israel

2 Trav 2 Vietnam