Homosexuality in Cambodia
Homosexuality is not a very big topic of conversation in public and even more of a taboo in private. Many homosexuals therefore still lead a two-part marriage, as expected by society, and a secret homosexual second life. From a purely legal point of view, same-sex love and sex is legal in the country, and there is no age limit. The former king expressed himself quite openly about the topic in 2004 Norodom Sihanouk on his website. Impressed by the possibility of gay marriage in other countries, he pledged his support if such a law was also desired in Cambodia. However, this statement did not meet with unreserved approval. His unmarried son and current king Norodom Sihamoni is considered homosexual by many Cambodians. This topic keeps cropping up in conversations with locals and in the media's rumor mill.
Since you don't have to hide officially in Cambodia and modern media such as television and the Internet allow you to look beyond the country's borders, for example to Thailand, a small, relaxed and nice gay scene has recently developed here as well. There are now some gay-friendly guesthouses and bars. And since 2004 even a small gay pride in the capital Phnom Penh, with its 400 participants in 2006, of course, cannot be compared with the big CSDs in the world. But the first appearance is somewhat deceptive.
Even so, homosexual Cambodians have a tough time. They often live in communities in the larger cities. In the capital, the community is estimated at around 10,000 people. However, Phnom Penh's “Boys Town” in the Boeung Kak 2 area is not a gay district as one would expect in the liberal western cities such as San Francisco or Amsterdam. It is a haven of sheer survival - a slum. In the course of a propagated image change away from sex tourism, Cambodia's prime minister had many bars, karaoke bars and brothels closed by the police - for many gays and transgender people a place of work where they earned their meager livelihood. They now lead a marginalized (over) life in their slum.
Package tours and tours
Cambodia does not yet offer great GLBT experiences like a great Christopher Street Day. But the classic tours of the country can also be organized with a special gaytravel aspect. This includes, for example, accommodation in gay-friendly hotels and a relaxing massage in a men's spa. It is now possible to have such tours through the country organized professionally.
- Gay Heritic, # 6D, 169 Off Street, Veal Vong, 7 Makara. Tel.: 855 (0)23-881861, Fax: 855 (0)23-881732. The nice little Cambodian provider has complete tours in its program and also puts together desired packages for the interested traveler.
- Lolei Travel (Cambodia). Swiss agency with a gay program on site in Siem Reap.
Gay-friendly accommodations
In the meantime, a number of gay-friendly guesthouses and hotels have established themselves, especially in the tourist-frequented places. For the most part, these are chic, mid-range boutique accommodations.
Phnom Penh
- V.I.P. Guest House, # 252, Street 107, Sangkat Bueng Prolit. Mobile: 855 (0)12-767322, 855 (0)12-894636, Email: [email protected]. Gay-friendly, small, inexpensive guest house, really small and noisy rooms with warm water, AC, TV.
- Manor House, # 21, St. 262. Tel.: 855 (0)23-992566, Mobile: 855 (0)92-230130, Email: [email protected]. Boutique guesthouse run by an Australian-Cambodian couple. Continental breakfast, wifi. (District: Phnom Penh / Sihanouk Boulevard).Price: $ 38-60.Methods of payment accepted: Visa, MC.
- Bougainvillier Hotel, # 277G, Sisowath Quay. Tel.: 855 (0)23-220528, Fax: 855 (0)23-220529, Email: [email protected]. Hotel with very stylishly decorated rooms. The restaurant serves Cambodian and tropical French cuisine. (District: Phnom Penh / Riverfront).Price: $ 52-83.Methods of payment accepted: Visa, MC.
- Blue lime, 42, street 19z (off street 19). Tel.: 855 (0)23-222260, Email: [email protected]. Boutique hotel with salt water pool, including breakfast and unlimited internet access. All guests are registered with their ID and must be older than 16 years. Short-term escorts are not allowed in the hotel. (District: Phnom Penh / Riverfront).Price: $ 40-60 (12/15 - 1/15 $ 10 surcharge).
- The Pavillion, 227, Street 19. Tel.: 855 (0)23-222280. Partner guesthouse of the Blue Lime with similar facilities. 1 room also has a private jacuzzi. All guests are registered with their ID and must be older than 16 years. Short-term escorts are not allowed in the hotel. (District: Phnom Penh / Sihanouk Boulevard).Price: $ 40-90.
Siem Reap
- Golden Banana Boutique and B&B, Phum Wat Damnak, Kum Sala Komreuk,. Tel.: 855 (0)63-761259, Mobile: 855 (0)12-885366, 855 (0)12-654638, 855 (0)12-287988, Email: [email protected]. Well-known and established gay-friendly guest house with a quiet garden and pool. There are two parts, the cheaper one B&B and the fancier, more expensive boutique. (District: Siem Reap / Wat Damnak Area).Price: $ 19-25 (B&B), $ 35-55 (Boutique).Payment methods accepted: Visa / MC.
- Kool Hotel, No 18, Taphul Village. Tel.: 855 (0)63-969690, Mobile: 855 (0)12-206250, Fax: 855 (0)63-964795, Email: [email protected]. The new and very friendly hotel is run by the Thai Nat and his Cambodian partner Dane. (District: Siem Reap / Taphul Village Area).Price: $ 49-64.Methods of payment accepted: Visa, MC.
Nightlife
Phnom Penh
- Blue chilli, 36Eo, 178th Str. (behind the national museum). Mobile: 855 (0)12-566353, Email: [email protected]. Probably the most popular gay bars in town. (Phnom Penh / Riverfront).
- M zone, # 200, St. 19 (behind the royal palace). E-mail: [email protected]. The M Zone opened in spring 2010. In addition to the bar, there is a cabaret show every Thursday and Saturday.Open: daily from 6.30 p.m.
Siem Reap
- Linga bar (At the west end of Walking Alley). Mobile: 855 (0)12-246912, 855 (0)12-540548, Email: [email protected]. Nice and cozy bar with an excellent selection of drinks and good cocktails. It is located on the west end of Walking Alley, south parallel to Pub Street in the center of town. (District: Siem Reap / Old Market Area).Open: 11 a.m.-open end.
- Miss Wong (in the narrow alley north of Pub Street). Mobile: 855 (0)92-428332. The very nice, small and very good Chinese style cocktail bar not only attracts gay audiences and is a real recommendation for a cozy drink.Open: daily 6:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
activities
Particularly in the wellness area, they have adjusted to the special clientele and opened some men’s spas.
Phnom Penh
Massage and Spa: Several gay spas and massage parlors have now opened in the south of the city.
- Romantic Cambodia, # 59, Str. 350. Mobile: 855 (0)16-215215, Email: [email protected]. Very pleasant ambience to relax. (Phnom Penh / south).Open: daily 14: 00-24: 00.Price: Sauna / Fitness: $ 5; Massage: $ 7.
- Amam Café & Spa, # 20A, 390 St., Phnom Penh. Mobile: 855 (0)12-950916. Relaxed gay café and spa with sauna, whirlpool, bar and fitness and private rooms. A place to relax or just for a drink (no admission then). (Phnom Penh / south).Open: Tue-Sun: 16: 00-22: 00.Price: Admission: $ 5 (before 5:00 p.m. $ 3).
Siem Reap
Massage and Spa:
- Linga Spa (at the Old Market). "Dedicated to the male body" - that is the slogan for this facility. Foot massage, Khmer massage, aromatherapy massage, body wraps and peeling as well as manicures and pedicures. The massage areas are nicely furnished, and each compartment has its own shower. So if you come from a tour, you don't need to go to the hotel bathroom beforehand. The stairway is in the AHA restaurant. It is not signposted outside, in case of doubt you can ask in the Linga-Bar opposite.
Organizations and events
The Cambodia LGBT Pride takes place in Phnom Penh every May. In this context, some events, parties, readings and workshops take place. The Meta-House also presents film screenings every day. The Facebook group "Cambodia LGBT Pride!"
- Phnom Penh Pride, P.O. Box 912, Phnom Penh. E-mail: [email protected]. Organizers of the Phnom Penh Pride.
- Men's Health Social Services, # 18 Street 95, Beng Keng Kong III, Khan Chamcarmon. Mobile: 855 (0)12-893-138.
literature
- By Ancient Ruins, a Gay Haven in Cambodia. In:New York Times, 2010, p. 2 (English). :
- Cambodia's first gay town. In:GlobalPost, November 12, 2010, p. 2 (English). :
External links
- Homosexuality in Cambodia - Wikipedia article on homosexuality in Cambodia