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Published: December 14th 2008
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There have been camp elements of our day that we would like to share with you...
We left the route of flowers in Western El Salvador, which was quite sad. People have been overwhelming friendly to us. It is a beautiful area with cute cobbled towns, volcano’s, waterfalls, wild flowers and lush mini cloud forest scenery.
We were bound towards San Salvador taking two buses and the first soon turned into the gay disco bus. The driver was playing a High N-RG mix tape from the mid 80´s and was booming for all and some people even had a sing along. I and Andy included and in our element.
Here is the track listing to give you an idea. It was a treat to be listening to cheese while winding up and down cloud forest hills.
1. Sabrina - Boys, Boys, Boys (what seemed to be the 12" inch extended remix)
2. Michael Jackson - Thriller
3. Baltimore - Tarzan boy (Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (4X) Night to night Gimme the other, gimme the other chance tonight). What a classic!
4. Freeze - A E I O U (A -E-A -E -I-O-U-U-I sometimes
cry. . . .Do you really like something you say). Quite bad really, very camp HI-NRG!
5. Lipps Inc - Funky Town
6. Marrs - Pump up the volume
7. Madonna - Lucky Star
8. The Bee Gee´s - Night Fever
I think that was the lot, it was a short bus ride. I can hear some of you say, thank fully.
When we arrived in San Salvador we made our way to the stunning National Theatre (very old school) to watch a dance version of the Wizard of Oz. We understood about 15 per cent but thankfully it was mostly a singing and dancing extravaganza, viewed from our private box (not bad for 2 quid!)
A gay ole day indeed, leading me to think about what the reality could look when you’re gay, lesbian or bisexual in Latin America. Argentina are top of the list for rights and acceptance, having passed civil union in 2003, a thriving gay scene in major cities, action via policy, awareness raising about homophobia etc. Top marks for Argentina but then again we are biased. Peru and Bolivia are akin to Eastern Europe (Not good) and a double room is a matrimonial room, so
you can imagine the raised eye brows we got sometimes. Although in La Paz we were offered one.
In Central America it is a different matter. There are a few gay venues in Panama City, San Salvador, San Jose and a few other cities. Although from research on the net this seems to be the only place for people to meet.
Queerness is now legal in most Central American countries (Belize seems to be the only place were it is not). Still very much a taboo, the attitude seems to be don’t flaunt it and if it’s not talked about it doesn’t exist. There is the major catholic influence and that can have a major impact on oppression!
I read a news report about Honduras and reglious groups in uproar about the goverment wishing to recognise gay groups. They have also banned gay marriage and adoption. Gay marriage receives almost no recognition in Latin American countries so one thinks gay relationships then don’t. And Honduras gay community, like most Central American countries, is small and politically weak by European standards. Like in the UK media portrayal badly goes for the bad "image” approach. This quote from a spokesperson of
Camp throne..
Seeing we are on the subject of camp... a Honduras gay rights group said "These crude conservatives … are bothering us a great deal, more when we are in year."
Reading research by Latinobarómetro done in 2004, which says people in El Salvador have the most homophobic views 2nd to Panamanians are second. Scary for such a friendly and stunning country and that makes me wonder, why the hell are we travelling here!
I then looked for gay prides demonstrations etc, proving hard. I found there had been some in San Jose the first being in 2003. Organised by the Human Rights Research Center for Central America and a self described "masculine Costa Rican homosexuals," known as the Ticosos! Not a grand march but people gathered in the main square to show and prove their existence and celebrate. The Ombudsman's Office also came along and provided information about gay, lesbian and transsexual rights. They created a special division to investigate complaints of rights abuse against gays, lesbians and transgender. I don’t know if there busy or not but let’s hope!
Women are a different matter there seems to be nothing…what a surprise! Enough said and that makes me sad. So from my limited experience I would
Chritmas is here...
Christmas treats in San Salvador say it is not great to gay, lesbian and bisexual in Latin America. Shame there is a problem with queerness because the men are HOT and I am sure they could be having lots of fun together. That goes for women to!
Oh and this is a quote from Lonely Plant quote:
“On the whole Central America is a pitifully unwelcoming place for gay men, and although lesbians have it better (SORRY! I REACKON THAT ONE IS A WHOLE LOAD OF BULLSHIT, Do they or is it because people think they don’t even exist!?) "homosexuality (oh dear)" is generally shunned upon in the region"
Anyway, if you’re interested read this report it might give you more of an idea into homophobia in Central America:
www.geocities.com/westhollywood/2874/anthro134.html
It made us think how lucky we are in Europe and how the UK is quite a liberal country. Ok it is not perfect but it is a million times better than here. What started off as a bit of camp turned into me on my soap box.
If you want to get involved with supporting the human rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people then go this link and get
Christmas icons...
Oh christmas is about the birth of christ...Oh, I did not know that. The real meaning of xmas?? in San Salvador. Paul's real meaning: bollocks! yourself on the mailing list and sign some petitions, write some letter. Little things can make a big difference…
www.iglhrc.org/site/iglhrc
They are The International gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, challenging human rights abuse towards gay people.
On a lighter note…We are off to Mexicooooooooooooooooooooooooooo next to meet with my sister!! YEAHHHH! Until then take and we miss you all. Paulo and Andy xx
I remember saying when I started writing the blog I would keep them short and sweet but I just can’t help myself. Will try harder next time…!
Oh for your own amusement here are the lyrics to Boys, Boys, Boys! Sing a long now…It really is pure poetry.
Boys, boys, boys
Boys, boys, boys
Boys, boys, boys
Boys, boys, boys
Sunshines down
So come to town
Set your body free
Hold me tight
My love tonight
Tell me you believe
Everybody, summertime love
You'll remember me
Everybody, summertime love
Be my lover, be my baby
Boys, boys, boys
I'm looking for a good time
Boys, boys, boys
Get ready for my love
Boys, boys, boys
I'm looking for the good time
Boys, boys, boys
I'm ready for your love
Stay around
The sun goes down
Babe I'm feeling right
Take a chance
With love romance
Have some fun tonight
Everybody, summertime love
You'll remember me
Everybody, summertime love
Be my lover, be my baby
Boys, boys, boys
I'm looking for a good time
Boys, boys, boys
Get ready for my love
Boys, boys, boys
I'm looking for the good time
Boys, boys, boys
I'm ready for your love
Boys and girls in the summertime love
Summertime love on the beach tonight
Say hey, say you, say me, say what
Everybody has gotta car
Don't stop, don't move
I just get your body in the groove
I said hey, I said who
I said me, I say you gotta get in the groove
Boys, boys, boys
In the summertime love, in the summertime love
Boys, boys, boys
Let's summertime roll, let's summertime roll
Boys, boys, boys
In the summertime love, in the summertime love
Boys, boys, boys
Let's summertime roll, let's summertime roll
Everybody, summertime love
You'll remember me
Everybody, summertime love
Be my lover, be my baby
Boys, boys, boys
I'm looking for a good time
Boys, boys, boys
Get ready for my love
Boys, boys, boys
I'm looking for the good time
Boys, boys, boys
I'm ready for your love
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Harry
non-member comment
Boys!
Boys Indeed......!!! Enjoy Mexico. xx