Gay clubs johannesburg 2015

South Africa is one of the most incredible places we have ever visited. We are always looking to travel to gay friendly destinations that offer both luxury and adventure and South Africa ticks all these boxes. Some of you reading may find it surprising that South Africa is considered to be a gay friendly destination.

Speaking from our own experience, we had no idea until we travelled here back in The same view seems to be true for many of you that have taken part in polls we have run on social media. Whilst our experience here as tourists has been great, we know that this is not always the case for the local LGBT community.

And so during our johannesburg months in South Africa, we made it our mission to find out what life is really like as a local gay South African. We were lucky enough to meet with Chris during our stay in Knysna. Here is what he has gay say about gay South Africa:. Here in South Africa, we are 2015 lucky to have an incredible constitution that strongly protects gay rights and marriage.

However, on the ground there are still issues that need addressing. On average South Africans are conservative, god fearing and stuck in their ways. In the cities, particularly in Cape Town, gay people are generally free to be themselves, but again only in the more central areas and the tourist hotspots. South Africa in law is fully supportive of gay rights.

In the more rural communities, be aware that you are going to make a real spectacle of yourself if you kiss and cuddle in public. In Johannesburg the epicentre of gay life happens in Parkhurst, a wonderful leafy suburb with street cafes and bars. Melville is also a great option. The other cities have no particular gay nightlife and center to speak of.

Townships are awesome to visit but only with a guided tour and are not particularly receptive to gay culture. I am very confident in my sexuality, but do not outwardly appear as gay to club straight people. The shock and rewiring of peoples brains that happens before my eyes when they find out I am gay is one of my favorite things!

It makes people reassess their thoughts, and opens their minds to the fact that as gay people, we are just like them.

AA/09448/2015

The stereotypes, although they exist, ignore the fact that most gay people exist and function within broader society. My sexuality does not define me, and that is one of my key messages to the world and to gay people. You can be anything and do anything you want, being gay does not change that.

In South Africa, due to our historic past that institutionalises discrimination, the new and free South Africa protects the rights of all people regardless of race, religion or sexuality. We were the first country in the world to have such an advanced constitution that specifically protected the LGBT community and the 5th country to legalise gay marriage.

Read all about gay Cape Town here. The Parkhurst GAT Party that happens monthly which I in fact started and sold to other event plannershouse parties that you will definitely be invited to once you meet any Johannesburg locals, and Illovo where you will find Beefcakes and Babylon the bar.