In many ways, Asia is a traveller’s dream. Stunning secluded beaches with ivory sand and sapphire blue seas, mind-blowing street food on chaotic city streets, and a multitude of exciting history to explore. But how gay-friendly are the cultures of Asian countries?
In terms of gay rights and freedoms, Asia has a reputation for being conservative at its best and brutal at its worst. So, how true is this? How gay-friendly are the places many of us would love to visit?
Using the Spartacus Gay Travel Index alongside information on government legislation and the gay scene, we bring you the most LGBTQ-Friendly cities in Asia (information correct at July 2021).
6 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in Asia
Taipei – Taiwan
Taiwan is at the top of our list of recommendations for lots of wonderful reasons. In 2019 they passed laws to legalize same-sex marriage, the first country in Asia to make this stand, and Taipei’s Pride Festival is one of the biggest (over 120,000 people!) and most joyous in the world.
The progressive attitude in Taiwan is thanks to the determination to move on from the restrictive regime which ended in 1987. Democracy, freedom and positive change are important aspects of government.
The gay scene in Taipei is epic all year round but the highlights are the Mr Gay Taiwan pageant, the WOOW Pool Party and the Formusa Pride Party. Each of these magnificent events is part of Pride which is held in October.
Check out the We Solo blog on the best gay-friendly bars, restaurants, and hotels in Taipei to find out where to dance, eat and chill out.
Positive
- Homosexuality – legal
- Age of consent – equal
- Military service – permitted
- Changing gender – legal but requires surgery
- Gay marriage – legal
- Conversion therapy – banned
- Adoption – legal
Neutral
- Discrimination – mostly illegal
- Employment discrimination – only protects sexual orientation not gender
- Housing discrimination – no protection
Negative
- Donating blood – banned
Kathmandu – Nepal
Kathmandu is high on our list of gay-friendly cities thanks to the progressive Nepalese constitution of 2007 which introduced lots of pro-LGBTQ laws.
However, the society and culture of Nepal are still conservative, and the gay scene is almost non-existent.
This imbalance is being worked on by the Nepalese. Straight bars are happy to hold gay nights. There is a Mr Gay Handsome Beauty Pageant each June and the Gaijatra LGBT Pride Parade is held in Kathmandu every August.
Also, with the establishment of a legally recognised third gender category, Nepalese transgender people are some of the most protected in the world and legal gay marriage is imminent!
For fun and open night out in Kathmandu head to PINK Tiffany and Fire is fabulous on a Friday night. To discover the wider underground scene, contact The Blue Diamond Society who is working on making Kathmandu more inclusive.
Positive
- Homosexuality – legal
- Employment discrimination – illegal
- Age of consent – equal
- Military service – permitted
- Housing discrimination – illegal
- Changing gender – legal but requires surgery
Neutral
- Adoption – single gay people only so an effective ban
- Discrimination – mostly illegal
- Gay marriage – ceremonies performed but no official recognition
Negative
- Donating blood – banned
- Conversion therapy – not banned
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Bangkok – Thailand
Bangkok has one of the most flamboyant and exciting gay scenes in the world. The nightlife is excellent! See a go-go boy show, chill out in the saunas or dance in one of many awesome clubs.
Our favourites bars are Telephone and Balcony plus DJ Station is the BEST gay club in Thailand.
There is no Pride Festival in Thailand, though Bangkok holds the Songkran Gay Circuit Party which is a wonderfully colourful and diverse replacement.
Homosexuality was made legal in Thailand back in 1956 and the gay community has been thriving since then.
Sadly, there are some restrictions. The Thai authorities are refusing to acknowledge gay marriage and are offering a limited number of rights in the Partnership Registration Bill instead.
Positive
- Homosexuality – legal
- Employment discrimination – illegal
- Age of consent – equal
- Military service – permitted
- Housing discrimination – illegal
Neutral
- Adoption – married couples only so an effective ban
- Discrimination – mostly illegal
Negative
- Gay marriage – not recognised
- Donating blood – banned
- Conversion therapy – not banned
- Changing gender – illegal
Seoul – South Korea
South Korea has a long-standing reputation for being intolerant to LGBTQ people due to the powerful conservative Christian groups at work in the country. For this reason, it is low down on the Spartacus list.
Despite this, the capital city Seoul is a loud and proud hub of gay culture. The gay scene is buzzing. They hold a massive gay festival every year and one of the world’s most beloved gay icons, Margaret Cho, hails from South Korea.
Seoul has two gay villages, the main one ‘Homo Hill’ is in the Itaewon district, and these welcoming communities organise hundreds of events such as the Korea Queer Film Festival and Seoul Drag Parade.
South Korean provinces are also fighting back against discriminatory laws with their own local legislation and increasing pressure on the government.
Positive
- Homosexuality – legal
- Employment discrimination – illegal
- Age of consent – equal
- Housing discrimination – illegal
- Changing gender – legal after surgery
Neutral
- Adoption – married couples only so an effective ban
- Donating blood – only if you’ve not had sex for a year
Negative
- Gay marriage – not recognised
- Military service – permitted
- Discrimination – no protections
- Conversion therapy – not banned
Mumbai – India
India is beginning to embrace the LGBTQ community and, after a de-criminalisation law passed in 2018, the pace of this heartening change is quickening. In tandem with these increasing freedoms, the gay community are becoming more confident and open.
The Indian LGBTQ scene is still small and relatively underground, but Mumbai, affectionately known as MumGay or The Gay Capital of India, is the most welcoming of all the big cities.
Visit in May and enjoy The Mumbai Queer Film Festival which gleefully celebrates Indian LGBT cinema, a remarkably prolific industry. Check out the wonderfully camp movie ‘Saavdhan’.
Mumbai Pride and the Mr Gay India pageant are huge opportunities to party together in Mumbai while smaller, regular get-togethers are organised in more and more bars and clubs.
The LGBTQ family has an influential member and supporter in openly gay Prince Gohil. He campaigns for the generally conservative population to be more understanding and has set up an AIDs prevention group – The Lakshya Trust.
Positive
- Homosexuality – legal
- Employment discrimination – illegal
- Age of consent – equal
- Housing discrimination – illegal
- Changing gender – legal after surgery
Neutral
- Donating blood – not known
Negative
- Gay marriage – not legal
- Military service – permitted
- Discrimination – no protections
- Conversion therapy – not banned
- Adoption – illegal
Phnom Penh – Cambodia
Cambodian society is generally accepting of gay culture and the LGBTQ community. The historic existence of the third gender in Cambodia makes it somewhat more progressive.
However, there are no laws to protect from discrimination and most local gay men will enter into heterosexual marriage and fatherhood rather than committing to another man for life.
Gay tourists and ex-pats will feel at home here, in fact, there has recently been a concerted effort by businesses across Cambodia to be more gay-friendly.
The gay scene is flourishing in cities across the country and Phnom Penh is leading the way. There are lots of gay and lesbian bars, festivals and cabarets to enjoy all year round.
The Toolbox Bar, The L Bar and Blue Chili are the main hotspots and, if you’re in the city in May, check out all the fun events that celebrate The International Day Against Homophobia.
Positive
- Homosexuality – legal
- Age of consent – equal
- Military service – permitted
- Donating blood – permitted
Neutral
- Changing gender – unknown
- Adoption – ambiguous
Negative
- Gay marriage – not recognised
- Discrimination – no protections
- Conversion therapy – not banned
- Housing discrimination – no protection
- Employment discrimination – no protection
Vanessa Ball
Vanessa is a digital marketing geek with a big passion for adventures off-the-beaten-track. She is a trekker, content creator, photographer, and an all-round travel junkie. Join her in discovering our beautiful world across 7 continents.
