Australia is a country with beautiful beaches, tropical weather and friendly people. You might even call it paradise.

And so long as you aren’t gay, you may be right.

Being the ignorant American, I expected to encounter the same gay-friendly environment that I found in Canada. Australia seemed progressive enough. I assumed that Australia would afford its gay citizens all the rights and privileges that we’re fighting for in the states, like marriage and adoption rights.

But as it turns out, when it comes to equal rights, Australia is worse off than the states. I’ve been told that gay people would get hit if they held hands outside of the city. In fact, walking down a street of downtown Sydney, a homeless man harassed me for being gay. Gay people can’t marry in Australia. Gay people can’t even adopt in all but one state and territory.

Australia isn’t anywhere to be seen on the top 10 list of gay-friendly countries. The United States is number 7.

While this country is breathtakingly beautiful, don’t be fooled: this is no paradise. The fight for equal rights is just getting started.

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Comments

144 Comments

  • At 2010.01.07 11:03, anthony said:

    in the bible, deuteronomy 22:11 also says that wearing blended fabrics is an abomination. wake up people the bible was written by men not god. also donkeys don’t speak (numbers 22:28)

    • At 2010.01.07 11:12, Michael said:

      Travel is one of the best teachers. It opens the mind and allows new experiences and perspectives. Situations simply are, it is our reactions and judgement that assign ‘good’ or ‘bad’.

      • At 2010.01.07 11:35, sean (from Columbus) said:

        I’d love to know the top ten gay friendly countries and the top ten gay friendly cities for gay men in our world. I do live in a city, Columbus, OH, with a very percentage of gay men and there are certain parts of town where two men can hold hands in public and not get stoned. Want a tour? Seanmagic1964@yahoo.com

        • At 2010.01.07 11:37, Show Me Some Ticker said:
          • At 2010.01.07 11:54, Chris said:

            Come back to Canada, Davey… we’ll have you here :)

            • At 2010.01.07 13:01, Leon said:

              Interesting view Davide,

              I tend to agree with what you have said. Being this way inclined myself, I find that I do not support gay marriage as it is clearly stated in my religion that marriage is a union between a man and a women.

              Gay people already have such a bad name in the public eye – do we like this? It seems that we encourage this view of us in society. We are different, and for this reason, we are going to have to expect some sort of persecution – if we look back into history – we see that those who are different have been persecuted. This is on the basis of sexual orientation, religion and politics to name a few issues. Should we not rather view the fact that we are not being killed as a positive (as done in the past – I say this for most developed nations – I do understand death is still a reality for those living in certain parts of the world)? I would rather be ridiculed that be hanged for my inclinations. We are lucky at the level at which we have been accepted so far – let’s not push it.

              So my views may also be more “right wing” or “anti liberal”, as I think that our homosexuality should be something we keep to ourselves – why is it necessary to parade ourselves around? Do we ever see heterosexual people having a heterosexual parade? What are we trying to prove? I still tend to agree with many conservative views on a number of topics – and for these reasons I have been called a hypocrite and I accept this – but so many gay people give the gay group of people such a bad name to the rest of the world.

              I refuse to be apart of this degrading process.

              Leon

              • At 2010.01.07 13:31, Sebastian said:

                Perhaps we ought to make a few distinctions between:
                1.Laws and other aspects of culture,
                2.Urban and rural,
                3.Legal city boundaries and neighborhoods / enclaves/ ghettos (self-chosen or restricted to).
                4.Secularized (e.g. UK) versus still “religious” (e.g. USA) countries.

                It should be a no-brainer that we gays are most free in our public lives in secularized societies, with laws establishing human rights for ALL, and living in enclaves we choose.

                Currently living 20 miles outside of a city of about 70,000, life for a gay man is horrible if you’re out (In the downtown area of the city it is not so bad, but holding hands or kissing is not very comfortable). No comparison to living in the Castro.

                It’s like African Americans here. They have achieved legal rights and there has been some improvement in other aspects of the culture (esp among the young), but it’s still tough to be “Black in America,” or a Mexican immigrant.

                Greater freedom and legal rights will eventually prevail, but not rapidly enough.

                • At 2010.01.07 13:31, rob said:

                  that’s not a representation of an average Australian’s attitude towards homosexuality at ALL, and you know it. I think it’s just bad form to post that as though it proves Australia is some homophobic country.

                  • At 2010.01.07 13:37, Sebastian said:

                    BTW, Canada is not perfect and the same dimensions apply there, having grown up near the border and having spent some real time there, I can say “Americans” (how provincial we are) will find life in Canada, esp Toronto, a good place to be.

                    Besides, Canada has a much more humane culture in general.

                    • At 2010.01.07 13:59, Neil said:

                      Melbourne is better? How is that? I will be going there soon; is there any advice or anything you could give me?

                      • At 2010.01.07 14:00, Neil said:

                        wow, thats mean

                        • At 2010.01.07 14:05, Richard said:

                          Not sure why the UK is not on the list. As for the USA, that’s questionable. How many states can you have a civil partnership in?

                          • At 2010.01.07 14:08, J said:

                            Hi Davey Wavey,

                            You know, I’ve never been to Australia nor have I been to New Zealand. There used to be a time when I was interested in visiting those two countries. (I still am, btw, it’s just that I have too much on my mind right to be daydreaming about traveling around the world.) I live in the Northern Hemisphere and have never visited anywhere below the equator.

                            This was an interesting read, I have to admit. I, too, naively thought that Australia would be either just as liberal and progressive as the US or more so than the US. I guess I was wrong…

                            But listen to this.
                            I have this book called “The Book of Etiquette” and it says in Australia, men are generally discouraged from touching, patting and hugging in public [straight or gay, I'm assuming] because these behaviors are socially considered unacceptable.

                            If you were in the Arab World (as homophobic as they are), this probably wouldn’t've been the case since Middle Eastern people (both men and women) tend not to have that personal space or bubble many Europeans, Americans and Aussies have. So keep that in mind and maybe you didn’t know about this. (Just my guess.) Aussies, if you’re reading this and if I’m wrong, please tell me so. :-D

                            I’m so sorry about you having to deal with being harrassed by a homeless Sydneysider… =/ (But I’m wondering, how did he know you were gay, anyway?)

                            But yeah, you could always go to Canada or go to Scandinavia, if you don’t mind the cold weather. I’m sure you’ll find friendly people there. Good luck. :-D

                            • At 2010.01.07 14:52, Davide Mancinelli said:

                              AMICO!!! BRAVO!!! ONCE AGAIN YOU INTELLIGENCE SHINES THRU….:)

                              • At 2010.01.07 15:18, Fluffy Bri said:

                                Hey. I am friends with someone on facebook who was almost beaten to death almost a year ago in Australia. I emailed you the article he has posted on Facebook. It says honestly everything you said, and much more.

                                • At 2010.01.07 15:40, travisy said:

                                  hey you should of come to london you would of loved it you could of stay with me right in the centre. i love the night life it is sooo good!!! wb. x

                                  • At 2010.01.07 15:42, Dennis said:

                                    well, this was a shock to me. :S

                                    • At 2010.01.07 15:50, Michael said:

                                      Wrong buddy.
                                      The fight for equal rights is *NOT* beginning. Nowhere near.
                                      The reason Australia is so far behind is that most Australian gays (not all, but most) couldn’t care less.
                                      They will travel far and wide to march in speedos in the Mardi Gras parade. They will pay ridiculous prices to go to dance parties. Try to get into a gay club on a Saturday night- you can hardly squeeze a pin in. But then when you hold an equal-rights march, you hardly ever see more than a couple of hundred of people show up.
                                      Goverenments are just that. They gauge what the public wants and expects and if they think it will keep them in power they act on it. The Australian gay community is sending a strong message of couldnt-care-less, and is getting a big fat nothing in return.

                                      • At 2010.01.07 15:56, Michael said:

                                        One more thing.
                                        Don’t let the 10-friendliest-countries list fool you.
                                        I have lived in the USA, and while SOME states have passed SOME legistlation, the United States of America is still a hugely conservative country.
                                        You are 10 times likelier to get gay-bashed in small town USA than in small town Australia. You are a 100 times more likely to be disowned by your God fearing family and you way way way liklier to be sent to reformation camps to turn you straight.
                                        Most Australian gay people I know are accepted by their family and social/work circles. I personally just don’t think they are after progressive legistlation…

                                        • At 2010.01.07 16:03, Dan said:

                                          Come to the UK Dave mate, you may think that the British would be very antigay, but we arent we have laws here to protect people from discrimination, gay marriage or ‘civil partnerships’ as they are called to keep the churchy types happy are perfectly legal and have the same rights. there are thriving Gay communities in nearly all the major cities such as canal street in manchester. the British are far to preocupied with moaning about the government, the weather and tea to be predjudice againts the gay community

                                          • At 2010.01.07 16:10, Phil said:

                                            karl, just a quick clarification. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) does allow gay couples to adopt (along with Western Australia). They also do have a system of Civil Partnerships. The dispute between the Federal and ACT Governments was over a legal technicality around whether a ceremony would, in law, form part of the Civil Partnership. The Federal Government wanted it to be more like a registration scheme. At the end of the day, Civil Partnerships remained, but there were some compromises around ceremonies.

                                            • At 2010.01.07 16:12, Dan said:

                                              Although at least in New Zealand you can get a Civil Union and have your Overseas Same Sex Marriage recognised.

                                              • At 2010.01.07 16:18, Blair said:

                                                Leon:
                                                I find your post incredibly disturbing and would ask you to really examine how happy you are with your sexual orientation. You state, “…We are different, and for this reason, we are going to have to expect some sort of persecution…” this is an appalling remark and I refuse to agree with you that because I am different I have to ‘expect’ persecution. You also state that you “…refuse to be apart of this degrading process” and while you make this statement about not sharing the views of other gay people, I would suggest that this statement says more about your victim mentality and less about your conservative views. Expecting persecution is degrading.

                                                Furthermore, heterosexual people parade all the time! They gather to push their causes, they parade to show their pride in labour organizations (Labour Day), ethnic organizations(S. Patrick’s Day), honouring the contribution of returned servicemen and women (Anzac Day) to use three examples from the Australian culture & society. Should anyone of those people “expect” persecution because they are different? Should I expect persecution because I am a red-head, am over 6 feet tall, support a particular football team, follow a particular musical artiste? Do you see how ludicrous the argument becomes?

                                                Gay and lesbian people are NOT after special rights or different rights. We ask for the “right” to be treated as equally as any other member of society – a society which is a multi=faceted creation where there are differences that are celebrated and not persecuted.

                                                Leon, I refuse to be told to expect persecution and to live my life in the shadows and as some pale imitation of the dominant culture. By all means, you can choose that life but I would pray that you don’t. Life is for living.

                                                • At 2010.01.07 16:20, Greg in Adelaide said:

                                                  Michael is nearer the truth than Davey’s post and almost everyone else’s comments.

                                                  All gays I know could not care a toss about ‘rights’ and causes and fights etc. They just get on with life.

                                                  I am not happy that Davey has been in one part of one city in this vast and contrasting land for 5 minutes and makes what many to believe to be a judgement. It is a very distorted view.
                                                  If you or anyone ‘judge’ this country on the basis of his comments and believe them to be the turth, the whole truth…etc, and you decide not to visit and find out for yourself, then that is no loss.
                                                  Why? Because if you are that stupid then I don’t think we need you here….ha!
                                                  Cheers,
                                                  Greg in Adelaide

                                                  • At 2010.01.07 16:31, Phil said:

                                                    Let’s keep it in perspective. Britain stopped transporting criminals to Australia over 150 years ago. In the scheme of things, convict transportees made up only a fraction of Australia’s population. There have been waves and waves and waves of free settlers since then. … your post somehow seems to suggest that all Australian’s are ex-convicts and feel the need to establish a pecking order and pick on somebody else. That’s more than a slightly warped view!

                                                    Australia isn’t perfect in terms of gay rights (only a small handful of countries come close, and as you’ll read above, not even the Netherlands is perfect), but it isn’t all bad news. In most Australia States, gay couples have the same rights as married couples, with the exception that the Federal Government won’t let us get married. Some states/territories allow civil partnership/unions. We have made huge progress in terms of gay law reform in the last 10 and 20 years. And while there are some conservative communities in rural areas in Australia (as there are in the United States), there are also some very progressive ones where I have seen gay couples holding hands and being open about their relationships.

                                                    • At 2010.01.07 16:32, DonM said:

                                                      I’m shocked and surprised to learn about an unfriendly to gays environment.

                                                      This reinforces my choice not to travel to homophobic countries. It makes me happier than ever to live in Canada.

                                                      I know how much you were looking forward to your visit to OZ, Davie. I’m sorry the place has a vulgar response to equality. SHAME,SHAME,SHAME!

                                                      • At 2010.01.07 16:33, Blair said:

                                                        Michael:
                                                        I am hazzarding a guess here, but I suspect that you are the same Michael who may have posted on another web-site’s discussion board, judging by the tenor of your arguments here (“The reason Australia is so far behind is that most Australian gays (not all, but most) couldn’t care less.”)

                                                        Firstly – it’s Australians who are often slated with the criticism that we couldn’t care less. It is part of the national psyche, the “She’ll be right, no worries mate” attitude. Laudable in that we don’t get worried over trivialities or when faced with major problems, we shrug our shoulders and just get on with it and do it.

                                                        Secondly – it seems very sour of you to suggest that the correlation between attendance at a gay club and an equal rights march is another black mark against Australian gays. Let’s look at a few examples – how many Australians flocked to see Britney Spears yet don’t flock to see local artistes. How many Australians attend footy grand finals yet won’t get out and march to support the rights of those who think differently (indigenous Australians, refugees, gay people…)- and I use that analogy because at a football grand final there are only two teams playing and not everyone there is a supporter of either team, they go to watch a quality match. Yet, shouldn’t they also feel it is important to support a “quality of life”? No – in Australia, there have been very few major demonstrations the like that Europe and America have witnessed, it is just not in our culture! (Not that I agree with that, I wish we were more motivated, however, that appears to be changing – slowly).

                                                        Thirdly – the fight for equal rights is beyond beginning Michael, it is ongoing and has had major successes in the past 18 months with many discriminatory pieces of government legislation removed within the current Federal Government’s first term in office. I predict that should the current government be returned to office with a strong majority plus a working majority in the Senate (with Australian Greens assistance) a form of marriage equality will make it to the statute books.

                                                        Finally – several polls over the past year have shown that the majority of Australians support a form of same-sex marriage. This groundswell will move governments, if it didn’t, I would still be living in a state where all forms of homosexual expression are banned.

                                                        My apologies if you are not the Michael who I have seen posting on other forums. I enjoy hearing opposing points of view as it gives everyone a chance to see both sides of a debate and to clearly make up their own mind.

                                                        • At 2010.01.07 16:40, Phil said:

                                                          Well put Micheal.
                                                          I’d also add to that that opinion polls in Australia have consistently said (for at least the last 3 – 4 years since it’s been a political issue) that the majority of the population agree that gay coulpes should be allowed to marry. When you ask the question if gay couples should have the same rights as heterosexual couples, as many as 80% of people agree.
                                                          Most states treat gay couples the same as de feacto heterosexual couples in law, as does federal law. … we’re not quite as backward as Davey’s post would suggest.

                                                          • At 2010.01.07 16:47, Blair said:

                                                            DonM:
                                                            I am sure if I went into “Smallville”, Saskatchewan and set up a gay rights stand and started carrying on, I would be able to write a blog detailing the homophobic responses that I was getting from Canadians. Anywhere outside the major cities where there is a plurality of views you are bound to find conservative and reactionary views – be it Australia, Canada, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Denmark, the UK, the USA or Zimbabwe.

                                                            I have Canadian gay friends. I know the work they had to put into educating and changing views of a very long time. I know that they are STILL fighting to protect what they have (you have one very conservative national government…) and wish to advance the causes of equality everywhere.

                                                            Australians are a very tolerant society these days – previously, because of our isolation from the rest of the world and our innate suspicion of anything “new”, we were conservative in the extreme. This is changing. The growth of information sources, the influx of migration from all areas of the world has contributed to a major change in the way Australians see others that are different. This is not to say there are times when I feel embarrassed by my fellow Aussies (debates over asylum seekers for one, but hardly different to other developed nations debates)but I am proud to be in a country where gains are being made and we are changing. We thank our brothers and sisters in Canada, Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden etc for leading the way and giving us inspiration and we will do the same to our persecuted community members in Uganda, Iraq and Lithuania.

                                                            I hope Davey finds that he has seen an extreme view of Australian society (he doesn’t say how he has got this view apart from one slightly mad homeless man and probable internet research)- no, we are not a paradise, however….you can see it from here! (And I am sure some clever Kiwi is going to say…”Yeah, it’s New Zealand!” LOL)

                                                            • At 2010.01.07 16:48, carlos said:

                                                              Because he is a faggot people! Anyone can tell he is a queer…have you seen his videos!!???? Duh!

                                                              • At 2010.01.07 17:18, Lee said:

                                                                I never knew that about Austrailia. I would never have thought it I mean, they gave us, Darren Hayes, Dame Edna, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Danni and lets face it, outside of the US one of the worlds biggest gay icons ever Kylie! lol love me some Kylie ;-)

                                                                • At 2010.01.07 17:21, Davide Mancinelli said:

                                                                  Blair,

                                                                  you stated “heterosexual people parade all the time! They gather to push their causes, they parade to show their pride in labour organizations (Labour Day), ethnic organizations(S. Patrick’s Day), honouring the contribution of returned servicemen and women (Anzac Day) to use three examples from the Australian culture & society”

                                                                  hate to beg different these are not “hetrosexual” parades. they are what they are, and u know it. And as a gay man i do not believe in your agenda. Not all gays think like you. yes i might be in the minority but i dont give a shit. I have been out for 7 years. And i know i am gay. I do not believe that marraige is a right. If the majority of people do not believe in gay marraige than so be it. I do not need a piece of paper to tell me who i am to love or not love. And your argument of being a right can be applied to anyone who wants to be married. the person who wants three wives can be married, or that lady who is totally in love with her poodle can marry.

                                                                  usually gay parades and gay days do more harm than good. to push one sexuality on others is the worse thing you can do. Do you really think it helps gay people when at these parades these guys walk around nude, or dress like women or other perverted acts. No one wants to see that shit. And dont tell me it doesnt happen cause it does. I seen gay parade when one dude was blowing another right in public. No friend gay parades do little good. More harm than good. So i am in full agreement with Leon.

                                                                  However i respect your opinion. I just think its the wrong opinion. Society is what it is, not what we wish it should be. It takes baby steps. But when gays act like faggots this does not good to anyone.

                                                                  • At 2010.01.07 17:39, Davide Mancinelli said:

                                                                    BRAVO!

                                                                    • At 2010.01.07 17:47, Blair said:

                                                                      Davide:
                                                                      You are right to hold an opinion and I support your right to hold that opinion, however I cannot disagree with you more strongly. All I see when I read your words is a gay man in denial. You say you are out, but it appears to be an “out” that is self-loathing. I totally disagree with everything you state that gay days and parades do more harm than good. Where are your figures, statistics, evidence to back up these sweeping statements? Already you have tried to close the debate by saying, “don’t tell me it doesn’t cause it does”. Where? Who? If you wish to cherry pick comments from already fiercely bigoted people then fine, but your argument holds no weight.

                                                                      And baby steps? Just what the hell have we been doing since Harvey Milk was assassinated? Since the Stonewall Riots? Since the first Sydney Gay Mardi Gras (a peaceful street parade that was turned into a riot by the actions of the police in 1978)? Davide, I wonder if you apply this same theory to everything in society, that in the nineteenth century you may have advocated that people of colour who were slaves to not be belligerent and just quietly go about achieving freedom and not have a war to move the debate on and give people their freedom? I could use many other examples – Solidarity in Poland, the Velvet Revolution in the then Czechoslovakia… gosh, baby steps? Sometimes a little hard action is needed to move the boulder and not just the drip, drip, drip of water to wear it away.

                                                                      Also, your totally off the wall remarks about marriage “rights” deeply saddens me further. In many cultures there have been and still are rights for one man to have more than one wife. Like it or not, it happens. But to use the same argument that the opponents of gay marriage use (marrying your pet…please!) totally undermines any credibility you have. Marriage is a form of public agreement in its most basic state, stripped of all its religious and secular imagery, between two people making a commitment. Between two intelligent, sentient, consenting adults. There should be no restriction on what two people can do with each other provided the basic care and respect is given and accepted.

                                                                      Sorry Davide, to use your language, your opinion to me and many others is wrong. Please do not allow your negativity impede the vast amount of positive affirmation being out, proud, loud and vibrant does to young gay women and men who are living in a world where being who they truly are can be the most frightening thing they can imagine. I know – I was there once and I will not go back into the closet and be told to shut up.

                                                                      • At 2010.01.07 17:55, YVRdude said:

                                                                        Back to Canada, Davey :) Actually I encourage you to visit Vancouver someday. It’s about as open-minded as Toronto (maybe more?), but it’s beautiful, and the year-round mild weather is awesome (if you can stand the excessive rain, that is)

                                                                        • At 2010.01.07 17:55, James said:

                                                                          The situation in Australia is one of relatively wide support for civil unions (~75/80%) and marrage (~65/70%) according to most polls but lack of political action at the Federal level. Most states recognize same sex relationships in all areas bar adoption.

                                                                          Interestingly, gays have been allowed to serve openly in the military since 1992 but this is an issue the US still struggles with in 2010!

                                                                          If you read the Wikipedia article on LGBT rights in Australia you’ll get a much broader picture of the situation that one websites list of top 10 countries to be gay.

                                                                          In Australia’s defence, I feel I must also add:
                                                                          - we second longes living people on the planet
                                                                          - we have universal health care for all citizens
                                                                          - our educational outcomes are better
                                                                          - we normally always do much better in International surveys that the USA such as Freedom Index ect

                                                                          • At 2010.01.07 18:24, Davide Mancinelli said:

                                                                            Blair,

                                                                            you do not know me…saying i am in denial. Grow up. And my point is if society does not accept homosexual marraiges, then so be it..i dont give a shit, either way. I have a bf and i do not need marriage to love him. Yes i do think marraige is only between a man an woman. And i know this pisses off most gays, i could care less. Gays love to preach tolerance but yet if i disagree with that gay marraige issue or another liberal ideology i am labeled as being in denial or worse…but little importance to me…

                                                                            and the whole gay parade thing…yes we both know that at many of these parades, perverted acts take place. How do we ask the world to change when some gays refuse to grow up, act mature and not shove that crap into the world….

                                                                            I am only 24 years old and many of those things you speak of i can not comment. But i know its a struggle always has been.

                                                                            and the only negativity i have is when gays push their agenda down the throats of others…i am gay but i do not shove my sexuality onto others..i know the world is not ready for this…but i have spoke to much…

                                                                            i have been called names also, but its just not gays that are persecuted. I am catholic and have been persecuted much worse for this than being gay…

                                                                            some gays need to get over themselves and stop being drama queens..if society finally accept gay marraige than okay…but i dont lie up at night missing sleep cause i can not married….silly

                                                                            • At 2010.01.07 18:50, Blair said:

                                                                              Davide:
                                                                              Listen to the words you use…”perverted” “shove that crap into the world” “gays push their agenda down the throats of others” “i know the world is not ready for this” – these do not sound to me as the words of a person that is happy. However, I am happy for you to live in your own world, with your boyfriend, believing in a conservative agenda where you do not have to confront anything outside your own reference.

                                                                              Take this point though, Davide. Your ability to live as an “out” man (though I wonder how “out” you are…again, yes, I agree, I do not know you – but, if you are asked who is that man you are with, do you tell them openly and honestly?) without the fear of being jailed for making love to your boyfriend – that in itself did not come about by someone being meek and mild, someone not standing up for the dignity of others, someone not forcing the issues to make the world a better more tolerant place. You may find that a lot of the negative comment you get from other gay people is not “intolerant” but exasperation at the idea that you are taking all the gains for granted. I also look on pained at your experiences of being persecuted for your religion. If anything from the last century has taught us, the ability to hate based on very dubious grounds is something that is virulent and has to be stamped out even with the tiniest flicker of it appearing.

                                                                              Davide – the heterosexual world also does many things which are “perverted” and “shove that crap into the world”. Do not judge us on standards better than what is already there. Gay people are humans, we fail, we hurt, we injure. Heterosexual people are humans, they fail, they hurt, they injure.

                                                                              I am so saddened that a young man, who is out and has a partner is so right-wing and anti free expression. However, that is your “right” to believe what you believe – as it is my “right” to believe you to be horribly misguided, in denial and angry. (And you can say all that to me back as well.) What point I am making over and over and over again – for evil (injustice/intolerance etc) to persist requires good men to do nothing. We have a responsibility to all our fellow human beings to support their right to a just existence, no matter how strange that existence may be to us. I support the right of my brother to marry a woman, have sex with her and raise a family – should he so choose to do. None of that is my world, it is foreign to me. It does not stop me arguing to bring respect, care and honesty to this world.

                                                                              • At 2010.01.07 19:21, Super Amazing Carlos said:

                                                                                I stumbled upon this review in the New York Times about Costa Rica.

                                                                                It’s definitely cheaper than Australia (in most cases) and quite gay friendly (it’s legally not in your top ten, as gay marriage is not yet deemed as a right, but the gay scene is boiling here, gay clubs are BY FAR the hottest spots in town, there are many people who are out and lead productive lives, and I haven’t heard of gay bashings nearly at all ever in my life..).

                                                                                Whereas many people are conservative in their acceptance, they don’t care that much about what other people do with their lives.

                                                                                http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/07/opinion/07kristof.html?th&emc=th

                                                                                • At 2010.01.07 20:00, Another American said:

                                                                                  There’s an old Roman saying, “Don’t go to Cathage and expect to find Rome!”

                                                                                  If you don’t like it leave.

                                                                                  • At 2010.01.07 20:04, Fluffy Bri said:

                                                                                    I prefer the saying
                                                                                    “When in Rome, do lot’s of Romans”

                                                                                    • At 2010.01.07 21:41, David Mancinelli said:

                                                                                      Blair,

                                                                                      Bravo!!! very smart way to play your cards. Taking my words out of context and judging me. I guess we can agree to disagree.

                                                                                      However i would like to share couple things with you. I am not a “conservative” (even though i have nothing against some conversative veiwpoints) I can be labeled as a “moderate”. But you fit the mold of a liberal perfectly, conquer without mercy. And the gay parade issue i was making is when some gay guys act out of the norm i dont need to cover what those are again, it does not help gays, it hurts us. Sometimes gays are their worse enemies.

                                                                                      Also i am very happy. I am not as u say ” horribly misguided, denial or angry”. And my friend yes i am out to everyone. My boyfriend came to the United States from Italy on 21 Dec 2009, to live with me. We share the same bed. I work with straight men and everyone of them knows I am gay. I come from a large loving family and my younger brother is also gay.

                                                                                      I am sure you will comment back to me. So you will have the last word. Its not my point to argue and argue and argue. Your opinion of me doesnt mean a rat’s ass of me. Go on and judge me run your mouth, its not my place to tell you not to.

                                                                                      I do not see the world as a “gay” world or “hetro” world its just us. It is your right to disagree with me. But your opinion of me, mean very little. When u judge me u just show me how arrogant you are. But no friend i do not agree with some “liberal” viewpoints, get over it…peace

                                                                                      • At 2010.01.07 21:54, David Mancinelli said:

                                                                                        i got a better idea…why dont all us gays take over a country…and we all move there and have our silly gay parades, gay days, our cocktails (no pun intended). We can have theatre and clubs. We can blame all of mankinds problems on the “breeders”, and take no responsiblity for our own actions.

                                                                                        momma mia….why are so many gays drama queens? i think a bunch of gays need to pull their balls out of their asses and act like men…

                                                                                        this is a freaking soap opera!!!!!!

                                                                                        • At 2010.01.07 22:25, Joe Blfstyk said:

                                                                                          I found your comparison to San Francisco amusing. I live in SF and there are few places here I would walk down the street holding my BF’s hand. The “Gay Paradise” you look for is to be found in only a few blocks in a few large metropolitan areas or out-of the-way places like Provincetown, MA, Key West, FL or Catalina Island, CA where gay people have “ghettoized” themselves.

                                                                                          I say, “Scratch a straight man deep enough and you’ll find a homophobe.” Even the most liberal, accepting straight people I know will occasionally let their internalized homophobia leak out. It’s a rare straight person who will think it’s okay if their kid turns out to be gay. Even Cher, bless her diva soul, had a real problem with her daughter Chastity coming out. Though Sonny was supposedly cool with it.
                                                                                          (A gender thing?)

                                                                                          Most of us have a problem with people who are different than us. We have to accept straight people with all their faults and prejudices. It would be lovely if they accepted us, but that’s not in our control.

                                                                                          Now how about some of those Speedo pics?

                                                                                          • At 2010.01.07 22:36, jay said:

                                                                                            That’s pretty bad news. I can’t imagine it will be that way forever. I have found when chatting, that the gay Aussie guys are HOT and BOLD. Listening to these guys, I never got the impression that they had to be in the closet. But it makes sense to me what you are experiencing. Very MANLY stuff goes down under!

                                                                                            • At 2010.01.07 22:41, Brady in Canada said:

                                                                                              Yes, please do! We won’t hit you or make fun of you!

                                                                                              • At 2010.01.07 22:44, Brady in Canada said:

                                                                                                I’m going to be in Vancouver for a month, end of Jan until start of March for
                                                                                                the olympics! I’m so excited for the nice weather vs -30 Alberta weather!

                                                                                                • At 2010.01.07 22:57, Brandon said:

                                                                                                  That reminds me…what ever became of the “Gay & Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands”?

                                                                                                  • At 2010.01.07 23:56, Super Amazing Carlos said:

                                                                                                    Or conservative puritan people who don’t like to mix and mingle can go get a country of their own and let the entire world be as it is meant to be: HAPPY AND GAY!!

                                                                                                    • At 2010.01.08 00:03, jj said:

                                                                                                      for the record, NOT ALL OF AUSTRALIA IS TROPICAL. sydney certainly isn’t; the city has distinct four seasons each year. if you wanna experience the tropics, head up north to Queensland. :)

                                                                                                      • At 2010.01.08 00:11, Bill said:

                                                                                                        So sad and I still want to visit there. From what I have seen in pictures it is a beautiful country. Hopefully the gay rights issue will improve.

                                                                                                        • At 2010.01.08 00:57, remo said:

                                                                                                          I told you you should have come to Cape Town instead! :)

                                                                                                          • At 2010.01.08 01:25, Michael Dunne said:

                                                                                                            hey there, well you are in Sydney although it is full of gay people, Melbourne is a much nicer city and it is not strange to see gay couples walking the streets holding hands, we have our gay pride week (midsummer) starting on the 17th of January you should come Melbourne is doing countless number of relies to change the laws in our country and as i am gay myself i love to walk down the street holding hands with a guy knowing i am being my self and not scared of what other think, if you take a step back and look at our beautiful country i think it is well worth staying around and being apart of the minority.

                                                                                                            it is better to be talked about than not to be talked about…….

                                                                                                            • At 2010.01.08 01:26, J said:

                                                                                                              carlos, why are you bashing on Davey Wavey if you watch his vlogs and read his blogs here?

                                                                                                              Why are you calling him a faggot/queer?

                                                                                                              He is openly gay and he’s comfortable with himself.

                                                                                                              Stop hating.

                                                                                                              • At 2010.01.08 02:14, LMAO said:

                                                                                                                LOL it was so funnie to hear that you were harrased by a homeless man being gay lol its funnie and sad at the same time cuz i felt bad lol but anyways poor davey is fooled by the fabulous beaches and sexy australian guys.. davey did you think you can have a fling with any australian mate? aye?

                                                                                                                • At 2010.01.08 03:20, Mosaic Dave said:

                                                                                                                  Funny, I’ve never felt uncomfortable in any area in Toronto. And I’ve been to some notably seedy areas LOL! Mind you, it is my second home so… I suppose I just know it well.

                                                                                                                  • At 2010.01.08 03:29, Mosaic Dave said:

                                                                                                                    Actually, the terms nation, state and country are nearly synonymous. According to Wikipedia, a state comprises a political association with effective internal and external sovereignty over a geographic area and population which is not dependent on, or subject to any other power or state. Australia – and all other countries – are sovereign states.

                                                                                                                    • At 2010.01.08 04:09, Mosaic Dave said:

                                                                                                                      Scratch a straight man deep enough and you’ll find a homophobe.

                                                                                                                      You sound like feminists who say that deep inside every man lays a misogynist in hiding. I just don’t buy it. People may be uncomfortable because they are ignorant and don’t know much about gays but I certainly don’t feel they all hate gays.

                                                                                                                      • At 2010.01.08 04:13, Brendan said:

                                                                                                                        Well said, Eric. Extremists can be found everywhere. It’s very easy for anyone to view their own local bigots more kindly than foreign ones.

                                                                                                                        So saying, at least Australia doesn’t have the likes of the Westboro Baptist Church. Nor the extremity of the gay-hating evangelical political movement.

                                                                                                                        • At 2010.01.08 04:21, Brendan said:

                                                                                                                          David Mancinelli, how many hours of your life have been wasted whining about what other people are doing? Why don’t you ease up, grow a pair, and stop playing a lead part in the soap opera that you are gnashing your teeth about.

                                                                                                                          • At 2010.01.08 04:28, Mosaic Dave said:

                                                                                                                            I think a number of the people reading this post have taken it to mean that Australia is gay-unfriendly. Just because it’s not on some top 10 list doesn’t make it the southern version of Iran. I tend to agree with the commentors who say that the Aussie gays just don’t make an issue of ‘rights’. Aussies, from my month-long experience down there are extremely laid back. Instead of getting their panties (or manties) in a twist about people’s right to marry they just get on with their lives and love each other despite not having government recognition.

                                                                                                                            Traditionally, people who feel marginalized seem to live their lives as if they have something to prove. They seem to feel meaningless without being able to fight the good fight. If you’re not being killed, jailed, tortured, etc. for your differences what does it matter if you don’t have the right to marry? Mormons don’t have the right to plural marriage and they aren’t marching for it. They’re living their lives. I’d rather spend my life loving the person I love than fighting for the government to recognise it and missing out on the fine details. Why worry when you can be happy?

                                                                                                                            Lastly, if enough of us were living our lives as an example and slowly integrating our lifestyles into society, soon enough the prejudice would erode. One of the previous posters said he would much rather move a boulder now than wait for the drip drip drip of water to slowly eat away at it. The problem with moving it is that you’ve still got the rock. It’s just resting somewhere else. Instead of the in-your-face measures many people resort to, the most effective – albeit somewhat slower – way to influence people is to live as a quiet example.

                                                                                                                            • At 2010.01.08 04:57, Michael said:

                                                                                                                              Hi Blair.
                                                                                                                              I think you are confusing me with another Michael, but it’s all good. It is a common name.
                                                                                                                              The tone of my note was a bit harsh I agree, but i wasn’t meaning to pass hard judgement- just say that to the boys and girls in Sydney, it’s mostly about the fun. The booze, the parties, the drag queens. The ones who care are just not making their opinion heard. Or heard loud enough.
                                                                                                                              I was lucky enough to be in SF the day gay marriage was approved. Like it or hate it – that was a much more politically involved community than I have ever seen in AU.

                                                                                                                              Peace and Loves

                                                                                                                              • At 2010.01.08 05:23, Super Amazing Carlos said:

                                                                                                                                (this is another Carlos, mind you…. not me. Some people with this name just ruin it for all the rest of us)

                                                                                                                                • At 2010.01.08 05:24, gnjen said:

                                                                                                                                  First of all – I AM gay. 2nd you should try to spend some time in Serbia (where, unlucky gnjen lives), for example and see what unprogressive society is. This year a guy was brutally beaten to death by hooligans just for speaking in French. Pride march was cancelled due to threats of extremely nationalistic groups and hooligans. During last Pride some people were physically attacked… It is not so dreadful, things are getting better, but really slowly… and you just got to live and change things in tiny steps, you just have to. And, you know, Australia does sound like a freakin’ paradise to me. I mean, come on, do not be such a drama queen. At least there is Pride in Sydney. Though I see and read that it is not totally perfect it really is paradise from where I look. (Plus the perfection does not exist.) Plus I can assume you’ve seen the new talky blog, gosh, Davey is having fun over there, and he’s having a great time. I know that all should be treated equally, and that the human rights need to be fought for, but moaning about something this silly while there are real problems is jus absurd to me and it is not fighting for rights. So either do something and find a way to deal with it, or continue with pointless moaning of yours. In any case, please stop with making stupid assumptions about my sexuality, ok?

                                                                                                                                  • At 2010.01.08 05:41, Super Amazing Carlos said:

                                                                                                                                    Change doesn’t happen because it does. It is uncomfortable and many will resist it. America has many examples of this: the women’s suffrage movement, the civil rights movement for African Americans. Obama would not be president, nor would secretary Clinton have aspired for head of State had their predecessors quietly sat and taken their repression, waiting for society to accept them.

                                                                                                                                    Change needs people with balls to speak out against injustice. Change needs people who will not just take it day after day because it’s easier. Same-sex marriage is not about “shoving your sexuality into someone else’s throat”, marriage is a right, not a privilege. Married couples have many rights that unmarried couples do not. When a society has priveleges, it is placing a higher value on one sector of the population.

                                                                                                                                    If you don’t mind being discriminated against (and actually lash out against people who do mind), you have low self-esteem and consider yourself to be worth less than others. People have told you that gay people are trash, and you’ve bought it. Thank goodness for those who haven’t, our gay children’s happiness will depend on them.

                                                                                                                                    • At 2010.01.08 06:18, josh said:

                                                                                                                                      david- your puritan self-loathing bit is getting old. i’m beginning to suspect you aren’t gay at all, rather some deeply-troubled straight conservative who feels the need to troll a gay guys blog.

                                                                                                                                      • At 2010.01.08 06:36, Sparky said:

                                                                                                                                        Sure you could choose to move a boulder, or you could choose to wait as water slowly erodes it. But why not just blow it up with a small amount of dynamite. Isn’t that how some people decide to do things?

                                                                                                                                        Tee hee hee

                                                                                                                                        • At 2010.01.08 07:08, Steffi said:

                                                                                                                                          I’d totally join this world if you’d have me :D
                                                                                                                                          Though I actually also met gays as mean toward straight women as some conservatives towards gays… sad world…
                                                                                                                                          anyway I help building up a happy and gay world let’s start ;)

                                                                                                                                          • At 2010.01.08 07:13, eric said:

                                                                                                                                            The court has met, after hearing the parties concerned ; here is its conclusion :

                                                                                                                                            “Every person has the right to be happy and live by its beliefs, principles and his own natural inclination. If it is proved correct that she does not have the same rights as their fellow citizens, then it is legitimate she carries out through all actions she deems appropriate to achieve this goal, in the respect and in compliance with the law”

                                                                                                                                            “Chaque personne a le droit d’être heureuse et de vivre selon ses principes, convictions et sa propre inclination naturelle. S’il s’avère qu’elle n’a pas les mêmes droits que ses concitoyens, il est alors légitime qu’elle mène à bien toutes les actions qu’elle juge utile afin d’atteindre ce but, dans le respect et le cadre de la loi”

                                                                                                                                            • At 2010.01.08 07:16, eric said:

                                                                                                                                              “…dans le cadre de la loi.”

                                                                                                                                              • At 2010.01.08 07:17, Steffi said:

                                                                                                                                                Many but by far not most or all straights are homophobic! and those that are, are so mostly with emphasis on the “phobia” part of the word. they are afraid cause of lack of knowledge and of ways how to meet homosexuality.
                                                                                                                                                they simply never learned how to deal with it. they don’t know any gays nor have ever learned in school or in books anything about homosexuality other than prejudices they learned from parents and friends. So help them by showing more presence and take away the fear of the unknown.
                                                                                                                                                But a great bunch of straights are tolerant and loving to the very core of their hearts! scratch as long as you want!
                                                                                                                                                especially people of the younger generation!
                                                                                                                                                so yes: many (but not most) people are in one way or other at least slightly homophobic. let’s deal with that and change it.

                                                                                                                                                • At 2010.01.08 07:32, Steffi said:

                                                                                                                                                  Oh and by the way,

                                                                                                                                                  scratching deep enough I found in many a homophiobia the underlying cause to be some experience in the past with another person of the same sex that actually led to good but uncnown and unconventional and thus frightful feelings.
                                                                                                                                                  In one particular case a guy once fooled around with friends like all young people do and they ended up giving each other a hand job. after that he felt so guilty and was deeply troubled by the thought he might be gay or WORSE: others might think he’s gay. If he had known and truly incorporated from early childhood on, that sexuality is ok regardless whom you share it with, it might have turned out as sth. different than homophobia. a nice memory for example?

                                                                                                                                                  • At 2010.01.08 08:10, David Mancinelli said:

                                                                                                                                                    point well taken i will remain silent… grazie amico

                                                                                                                                                    • At 2010.01.08 08:13, David Mancinelli said:

                                                                                                                                                      Josh,
                                                                                                                                                      u dont like what i have to say…do not read it…my point is not all gays think alike we all have our own opinions. And i am very opionated. But my opinions are usually wrong, so why this bother you in the first place?…….but i will take your words into consideration, grazie amico

                                                                                                                                                      • At 2010.01.08 11:47, carlos said:

                                                                                                                                                        Hey people,
                                                                                                                                                        I just made a comment on why the homeless guy thought he was gay thing! I have nothing against him. He is a cute fruit! Anyone can tell he is gay…even my dog. Some gays are ¨gayer¨then others…but this has nothing to do with feeling confortable with ourselves. I am gay and never got picked on the street because of it! Thats all I meant..I am not hating anyone…there are people out there who does and when they see a “feminine”, read faggot they are mean! I thing DW is a cute, show off, faggot, oops, sorry “feminine” gay guy and this “pure spirit messages” he sents is to make you crazy bitches buy stuff from his site. Open your eyes around u…there are people sending this kind of messages all around ya…they only reason you dont see it is because they dont have their shirts off showing their nipples and butt! Common…do you really believe all this people come here to read his messages…we just want to see his ass (at least until u see one of his vidoes and listen to him talking).
                                                                                                                                                        Like he says “peace and love”…whatever

                                                                                                                                                        • At 2010.01.08 13:03, Billy (from Scotland) said:

                                                                                                                                                          Comparing USA to Australia.
                                                                                                                                                          I can get my same-sex partner a visa for Australia, but not if I move to USA.
                                                                                                                                                          I have lived in various states in USA, and in small towns. I would not want to live in these by choice. But, the same goes for small towns in Australia or in UK, France, Spain.
                                                                                                                                                          Has Davey Wavey, ever lived as an open gay man in small town America? Doesn’t sound like it, or small town anywhere.
                                                                                                                                                          It’s a stupid arguement to dismiss a whole continent based on “I’ve been told”.
                                                                                                                                                          I expected better from our Davey.

                                                                                                                                                          • At 2010.01.08 13:42, steven said:

                                                                                                                                                            lucky belgium is second place Yahoe !!

                                                                                                                                                            • At 2010.01.08 13:44, Super Amazing Carlos said:

                                                                                                                                                              I would say…scratch a homophobe deep enough and you’ll find yourself an insecure gay person…

                                                                                                                                                              • At 2010.01.08 13:59, Super Amazing Carlos said:

                                                                                                                                                                Dude… when you use the word “faggot”, you’re hurting yourself as well.
                                                                                                                                                                What you don’t like about “faggots” is what the world dislikes about you.

                                                                                                                                                                As for Davey, I kinda agree…
                                                                                                                                                                I don’t think he started out so damn commercial. If you look at his oldest vlogs, he wears more clothes and doesn’t talk as much about clothes, or bods, or the latest gadget. I bet you, once he saw the economic potential of showing some nipple, he couldn’t get enough(his briefs get skimpier every time). I wonder what his mom, who thought it inappropriate for him to be shirtless in his vlogs, thinks about him showing the outline of his package through his briefs..

                                                                                                                                                                Now he has his “Davey Wavey apparell” (his talk of being unmaterialistic is blown away by his purple sweater with a peace sign on it.. come on!), and his vlogs and pictures are clearly adds either for underwear, Blackberry’s, iphones,ibooks… I supppose his “universe” is good as long as the cash flow is good…

                                                                                                                                                                still, there are worse ways to make money than spreading some good vibe around…

                                                                                                                                                                • At 2010.01.08 15:49, Paschal said:

                                                                                                                                                                  Religion doesn’t always have the effect one would perhaps imagine. I’m Irish and the we Irish, although we hace become far more secular in recent years, are easily one of the most religious groups of people in western Europe. irish people, however, are fairly tolerant of gay people. Polls suggest that strong majorities of Irish people support gay marriage and feel that it is wrong to discriminate based on sexual oriebtation. Thank you for reading.

                                                                                                                                                                  • At 2010.01.08 15:52, RickMichigan said:

                                                                                                                                                                    The ability to “reply” was not available on your earlier post so I’ll use this post. I have to commend you on your reply – we never realize how “good” we have it until we are in the other mans shoes. And you are probably right, perfection probably does not exist except in our thoughts. On a lighter note, I must say that I’ve met some beautiful Serbian men.

                                                                                                                                                                    • At 2010.01.08 15:53, Paschal said:

                                                                                                                                                                      I’m not Australian and therefore I will not comment on how homophobic or not Australia is as I cannot know. I will comment, however, that homophobia is omnipresent and Australia should not be judged poorly based upon the actions of some. As for the lack of legal protections for gays in Australia, blame politicians, not the people.

                                                                                                                                                                      • At 2010.01.08 16:10, John said:

                                                                                                                                                                        Dissapointing not to see the UK on the list who introduced civil partnerships in 2005

                                                                                                                                                                        • At 2010.01.08 19:02, travisy said:

                                                                                                                                                                          people just need to get over it!!!! THIS IS HOW WE ROLE!!!!!! XX

                                                                                                                                                                          • At 2010.01.08 19:23, Don said:

                                                                                                                                                                            Hey Davey, Unfortunately there is still a LOT of negative, ignorant attitudes towards gay people all over the world. BUT NEVER FORGET, it’s people like YOU who are paving the way for CHANGE, for understanding and for tolerance. How can anyone watch you, and not fall for your warm heart and great sense of humour, all the while NEVER even focusing on the fact that you’re gay!! SOLDIER ON DAVEY ! It can be a cruel, cruel world…….but we will CHANGE IT , one step and one person at a time ! :)
                                                                                                                                                                            Don
                                                                                                                                                                            Toronto, Canada

                                                                                                                                                                            • At 2010.01.08 20:18, Andrew said:

                                                                                                                                                                              Considering that there are many many countries in the world wherein you can be incarcerated or even executed, whether legally or illegally, I would still consider Australia to be quite liberal. It’s true that it could be much better over there, but at least they’re trying, unlike some countries who refuse to even accept the homosexuals are human beings.

                                                                                                                                                                              • At 2010.01.08 20:26, Jack (Jack4fun - Davey Chat name) said:

                                                                                                                                                                                A country is just a country … and despite what they think it wont change who you are! So to be honest … who gives a fuck if Australia, America, UK or China didn’t accept gay guys! It’s their loss to be fair ‘coz we all soo kind and if they got to know us perhaps that rethink. It’d be different if the president of the country was gay i feel … hypocrites, thats all they are!!

                                                                                                                                                                                Soz bout the mini rant,

                                                                                                                                                                                Love and Peace

                                                                                                                                                                                Jack xx

                                                                                                                                                                                • At 2010.01.08 20:49, Brandon said:

                                                                                                                                                                                  Try heading to Tasmania. The people there apparently love gays. My boyfriend is from Hobart and they’re like all gay there. From what I’ve heard from him, most of the people are really good with it and have no problem. Unless they’re bogans. I think you might have been in a wrong part of Sydney because Sydney has one of the biggest gay scenes in the world and is one of the best gay friendly cities as well.

                                                                                                                                                                                  • At 2010.01.08 22:13, rod said:

                                                                                                                                                                                    Yeah we australians are in general conservative, some are sexist, some are racist, while some are all 3..
                                                                                                                                                                                    and others are none of these things..

                                                                                                                                                                                    We’re a free country, with many varying views.

                                                                                                                                                                                    ohh yeah..and Tasmania is the best state – gay – straight – or bi….

                                                                                                                                                                                    • At 2010.01.08 22:35, Super Amazing Carlos said:

                                                                                                                                                                                      ( I always knew the Tasmanian devil was gay)

                                                                                                                                                                                      • At 2010.01.09 07:25, william said:

                                                                                                                                                                                        I had this whole massive thing typed, but meh.

                                                                                                                                                                                        As always, try not to put yourself in situations which are likely to become hostile.

                                                                                                                                                                                        Australia is really a remarkable society.
                                                                                                                                                                                        Most judge people individually, if at all.

                                                                                                                                                                                        Just chill and enjoy yourself.

                                                                                                                                                                                        Will.

                                                                                                                                                                                        • At 2010.01.09 22:22, davvi said:

                                                                                                                                                                                          Carlos, “you’re-a-trip,” and so-funny, as-always :-) ’! … … davvi

                                                                                                                                                                                          • At 2010.01.10 08:59, JRDean said:

                                                                                                                                                                                            have you and your brother played? i have with mine he is 3 yrs olds Gmchdouglas@yahoo.com

                                                                                                                                                                                            • At 2010.01.13 10:14, Tommy said:

                                                                                                                                                                                              Davey have you thought of going to oblisk beach in sydney cause its a nude beach for gays it’s nice its in mosman sydney ,go down oxford st thats gay paradise for me i think australia is very gay friendly though i personally australia can do better.

                                                                                                                                                                                              • At 2010.01.15 06:35, John said:

                                                                                                                                                                                                Yes, this list is seriously inaccurate regarding the US. State level marriage without federal rights is way less than most civil unions in other places. Denmark and Iceland are way gay-friendlier than the US in every respect. So is Sweden, of course, and they recently passed marriage. The New Zealand situation described above alone pushes them up past the USA. No Top Ten place for America, at all!

                                                                                                                                                                                                • At 2010.01.16 05:20, John said:

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Ha! A rough analysis of this excellent chart places the US only as one of the top 38(!) places in the world. Over twenty others are definitely better. No state in the US would break the top ten, if considered alone, and many states would fall lower.

                                                                                                                                                                                                  • At 2010.02.10 20:35, ra said:

                                                                                                                                                                                                    you wont get hit if you hold hand. There’s a rather large gay community here in Australia and I think we’re relitively open to that. Sure, we don’t have marriage or adoption rights, but I think (aside from the homeless man) that people are deffinitely open to the idea of gays. Maybe I’m just saying this as part of the younger generation- I’m not sure about the oldies!
                                                                                                                                                                                                    Glad you enjoyed your time over here! I am studying at the Conservatorium of music this year.. which is pretty much right in the middle of the Botanical gardens!! Glad you liked it there.. it really is very pretty.

                                                                                                                                                                                                    • At 2010.02.16 22:10, Dexter Mejia said:

                                                                                                                                                                                                      Oooh controversial statements made here. I was born and raised in Manila and had lived in Bangkok for 2 1/2 years. I am currently living in Adelaide (South Australian capital) but I have spent some time in Sydney as well.

                                                                                                                                                                                                      I am afraid that I have to agree with Davey: it can be scarey to be gay here. The men are not that gorgeous (most blokes here do not go to the gym) but they are HHHHUUUUUUUNNNNNGGGG!

                                                                                                                                                                                                      • At 2010.03.02 19:46, Emma said:

                                                                                                                                                                                                        How dare you say that, I disagree that you can even form an opinion on what its like to be a homosexual person living in sydney when your only just visiting. I love you, don’t get me wrong and this isn’t just another form of hate mail but you have alot of viewers and you’ve just slandered Australia as a unfriendly place for gay girls & guys alike.
                                                                                                                                                                                                        I have lived in sydney for a very long time, but I’ve also had the opportunity to spend prolonged amounts of time in places all over the world. Its true that you will find gay hating, discriminating bigots all over the place. My girlfriend & I are comfortable with PDA and we have never, ever been criticized or beaten on for this. Sydney is NOT the conservative, violent place you have advertised it to be. We are the city of one of the greatest Mardi Gras in the world, and how dare you compare us to the melting pot of filth that the states are. Look around davey wavey, everything’s better down under (except for possibly the candy).

                                                                                                                                                                                                        • At 2010.04.04 22:04, Temujin said:

                                                                                                                                                                                                          I have read a Davey’s post and also a few of the comments and the thoughts seem to be more far fetched throughout.

                                                                                                                                                                                                          I grew up in North Queensland in a small town and i have lived in most of the capital cities and some of the smaller towns in the last 10 years and i have never had a problem.

                                                                                                                                                                                                          Australians are happy go lucky and we generaly dont care about things like gay rights. Well i should say that we do but dont let it consume our lives.
                                                                                                                                                                                                          Someone posted that we get taught not to touch each other (huggind and so on) but thats totaly untrue.

                                                                                                                                                                                                          Dont make a descision based take Davey’s Post as he only experienced one tiny part of the country and i guess spoke to a small amount of people, To alot of us it seems that Americans spend to much time dwelling on things.

                                                                                                                                                                                                          I hold hands outside the cty all the time and i have never even had somone say a word to me. I guess the real faggy guys might attract attention but well thats going to wherever you go. Im gay and i still make fun of them.

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