World’s First Guide to Gay and Lesbian Life in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia
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Utopia Guide to Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia: the Gay and Lesbian Scene in 60+ Cities Including Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Johor Bahru and the Islands of Bali and Penang. Publisher's price: $28.80. SINGAPORE, April 25, 2006: – Which country is home to Asia’s fastest growing openly homosexual sub-culture? Would you believe tiny Singapore? With more than 30 openly gay businesses in the tourist-friendly Chinatown neighbourhood alone, Singaporean entrepreneurs are feeling free enough to fuel a huge boom in the city-state’s pink economy. But which country do gay Singaporean’s think has the hottest scene going? They point to their neighbour, Malaysia. Indeed, though still largely underground, Malaysia’s gays and lesbians have a steadily growing number of restaurants, clubs, spas and gyms that openly welcome them and world-class venues are popping up in even small cities like Penang and Kota Kinabalu. Singapore’s other neighbour, Indonesia, while commonly known as having the world's largest Muslim population, also has some of Asia’s longest-running homosexual activist groups and a wide variety of traditional alternative sexualities that are an integral part of Indonesia's cultural mosaic. The Utopia Guide to Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia reveals for the first time in print the fascinating and variegated queer lifestyle of these countries in one hefty volume filled with a surprising wealth of information. Listed are contact details for organisations and businesses that are popular with both local and visiting homosexuals, including accommodation, bars, discos, spas, and restaurants. A special section of the book highlights groups, clubs, and spaces that are especially welcoming for women. Hundreds of tips and warnings from locals and visitors provide first hand insights for both frequent visitors and armchair explorers. "The reason for this contradiction may be because, despite the political or religious rhetoric, at the social level, the people of these countries are tolerant and hospitable,” writes Singaporean gay activist, Alex Au, writes in the book’s preface. Indonesia’s first gay pride celebration took place in Surabaya, on June 25, 1999. Singapore's first public festival, Indignation, took place during the month of August last year, and is set to be repeated again this year with expanded activities and a higher profile. But despite growing advances in personal freedoms, activists in all three countries continue to encounter official obstacles. In 2006 Singapore government officials awarded a large grant of public money to a homophobic Christian group that attempts to straighten out gays. In March this year Kuala Lumpur police tried to crack down on businesses that cater to gay customers by fining owners for petty license violations. This brought criticism from local AIDS/HIV educators. The Utopia Guide to Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia provides a remarkable insider's glimpse at the vibrant, everyday life enjoyed by gays and lesbians in Southeast Asia. As Time magazine’s Time Traveller said recently: “These fun pages dish out the spice on even the most buttoned-up spots in Asia”. The book is available for sale now in printed and electronic form at http://www.utopia-asia.com/utopiaguide/ and will also be available next month in bookstores internationally and from popular online book resellers.
April 25, 2006
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