Being Gay and in the DR

I am a 34 year old professional gay black male (who is not sex crazed or a pervert as some would unfairly jump to assume) visiting the Dominican Republic in July and December for the first time in Santo Domingo and Boca Chica respectively. Although traveling with a group of friends in July, I will be solo in December to ring in the new year. I am looking for gay related clubs, resorts, activities (not sex) where a gay male can go and feel comfortable. Although I recognize that the Dominican Republic has strong religious/machoistic traditions, I have been told by friends that the island is gay friendly as long as you respect the "boundaries" (not unlike respecting the boundaries within the heterosexual lifestyle, right???). For those who may be offended by this subject, ignore it and move on. Worthwhile advice or contributions to this posting is greatly appreciated. I have been also told that there is a hotel in Santo Domingo called the Rainbow House. Do anyone know anything about the hotel (location, price, accommodations) that would be useful.

For more information on Gay & Lesbian Travel to The Dominican Republic check WWW.AMIGOSTOURS.COM / WWW.GAYDOMINICANOS.COM

Unfurtunately we don't have any Gay Hotel-Resort in the Dominican Republic, However there are plenty of Gay Friendly Properties where you can feel very consfortable.

For more details send me and e-mail.

Ray Modesto amigostour@aol.com

The DR is quite schizoid about homosexuality. On the one hand, it is universally condemned. From the earliest age, boys (and girls) are led to understand that a "maricon" is the lowest of the low. A mother would wish her son to be a bank robber rather than a queer. However, grounded in secure knowledge that he is not, a young man will see nothing particularly unpleasant about going out with tourists of that persuasion if there is money to be made and a good time to be had. Of course some hustlers (particularly the older ones) see gays as targets to rip off, the same as everywhere. This may explain in part the penchant of gay tourists to stick with the younger crowd. Try to hook up with other gays for advice and protection.