Gay Myanmar Overview

Myanmar, formerly Burma, is still under military rule. Travelers will need to make up there own minds about whether or not they feel its right to visit, given its current political climate. Many positive signals have been welcomed recently, including the release of political detainees. Never-the-less there still seems to be one step back for every two steps forward.

One thing is for certain, the people of Myanmar want you to visit. Money that you spend there goes directly into their hands to improve their lives. Many of the people you encounter have studied English (they have already placed their bets on Myanmar’s brighter future) and they are very happy for any contact with foreign visitors. Myanmar seems frozen in time, but expect everything to change rapidly once the country fully opens. Until then you can see Asian daily life as it existed more than a century ago. Almost everywhere that tourists are allowed to visit is going to be very safe. You must take shoes off to visit any sacred site, so consider easily removable footwear (and a wet towel to clean feet).

Women and men still wear charming wrap-around longyis (sarong) as standard attire and decorate their faces with pale yellow powder. The farther upcountry you go, the more colorful tribes you will encounter (“Myanmar” describes all of these various peoples, whereas the Burmese are just one of dozens of ethnic groups that comprise the nation). Whether you decide to visit Myanmar now or not, it should definitely be on your dream itinerary for Southeast Asia.

Young Burmese Man

Yangoon

Yangon is like no other city in Asia. It is the definitive setting for an exotic “far east” movie set; a bustling, dusty, and color-splashed city blending nostalgic influences from India, Tibet and Persia into its ancient cultural fabric. The people are simply amazing to look at. Classic colonial facades give way to diamond and gem-encrusted spires of zedis (temple stupas) around which daily life orbits.

Have high tea at the classic Strand Hotel, wander the shady markets in the afternoon and then head to the glimmering Shwedagon pagoda before sunset. Here, amidst prayer halls, spirit shrines, and monumental bronze bells, take a moment to sit and watch the crowd of families, tourists, pilgrims, school children, monks, nuns, and worshippers as they flow through the golden light.

Image of Gay Myanmar

There are a few gay places to hang-out in Yangon. Parks, clubs, cafe and the CBD district at night can be very cruisy! Try walking along Anawrahta Rd and opposite Traders Hotel in the early evenings between 7-9pm. J-Donuts in Shwe Bon Htar St is a pick up joint in the evenings between 5-7pm. Look out for the guys who are sipping one drink for more than 1 hour, they are probably cruising. Be careful, a few can be hustlers, but quite often you can find some nice honest guys.

The health club at the Summit Parkview hotel is very interesting indeed and also one of the cheapest (this hotel is a pretty good deal all round).

Concerts are a great place to meet the locals and are quite a favorite amongst the gay community. There are often concerts at the Mye Yeik Nyo Royal Hotel, at Pioneer Club or at the Tukkawaddy Entertainment Park across from Sedona Hotel and at the Strand Hotel. The main gay cruising area is on the pedestrian bridges near Thein Gyi Market, on the crossing of Anawrahta and Shwedagon Pagoda Rd. Men hang around on the bridge, in the tea shop at the foot of the stairs and in the bar/karaoke accessible from the bridge. Note that there are some average gay guys looking for contact but beware of hustlers hanging around there as well. Eye contact is the key and once you find someone you like, a small conversation usually ends up in a speedy departure from the bridge. Another favorite cruising area is the banks of the Inya Lake, along Pyay Rd. The cruising starts quite late, after 9pm. Note that this is also an area for female prostitution, it is dark and can be potentially dangerous.

I've just been to Yangon. If you are discreet, you can look for fashion shows with male models which are usually in big hotels like Sedona, Kandawgyi. Most of the male models are very, very cute.

This text excerpted from www.utopia-asia.com