Philippine gay
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This cemented the significance of the gay Philippines to society. One cottage even has its own plunge pool!
The main town of El Nido on the harbour has a great atmosphere with lots going on, but it is very much a backpacker place and that is not what I was looking for.
El Nido Mahogany was just a 5 minute tricycle journey ($2) from the main town meaning it was much quieter and secluded – perfect for a romantic honeymoon.
I loved that the breakfast was served on my own private terrace at the time I requested it.
Knowing it was my honeymoon they even had some extra special touches such as covering the bed in flower petals on arrival (which I messed up by walking in and putting the fan on!)
There are no other meals served here but there are many options nearby including a restaurant at the nearby El Nido Coco Hotel which I used for a romantic dinner.
The owner here was from France and she was a very lovely host, I highly recommend!
Check rates and book
Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island – Cebu
This was a special trip so I wanted the best in 5 star hotels.
However, gender identity remains unprotected.
In 2012, the Philippines passed Order No. 40 which prohibits discrimination in schools against children on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Local laws with full discrimination protections would follow in 2014.
This is a little further away but is served by larger planes so you may find it easier to fly into this one instead if you are arriving from larger islands.
Things to do for gay travellers in the Philippines
I spent a lot of time relaxing by the pool and on the beach, however I also needed some activities to keep me going.
It looks fun!
F Club – now closed.
Boyzone Bar – unsure if this is open, listed on google but no socials to verify (let me know!).
The One 690 Entertainment Bar Manila – this is a gay club and high production go-go show with ‘friendly’ staff if you get our gist.
Recently, the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill has already been approved.
So, Is It Safe to Be Gay In The Philippines?
Based on a 2013 survey, the Philippines is ranked as one of the most gay-friendly nations in the world.
It is famous for island-hopping boat tours and scuba diving.
The waters here are some of the most beautiful and crystal clear I have ever seen. However, you won’t find any exclusively gay hotels in the Philippines yet!
Mahogany Resort & Spa – El Nido
I stayed at the beautiful Mahogany Resort & Spa.
This resort is on the Corong Corong beachfront and offers individual and locally designed cottages all with large terraces.
It was the first time in the history of the Philippines that the LGBT community had the opportunity to speak out for equality. The country, as a matter of fact, is the most gay-friendly in Asia. Boracay has long stretches of beaches all around the island and I spent a lot of time on White Beach.
Walking along this beach there are many small bars with bean bag chairs and hammocks on the beach.
For me, this was especially true being tourists in hotels and doing tourist activities. For instance, gay lingo is a concept that its members use. These are full day tours on a boat with up to 20 other people exploring nearby islands, lagoons and snorkelling spots.
The tours are named Tour A, B, C or D.
The most popular ones are A and C as these are considered the most beautiful.
I had no problems whatsoever.
About the Philippines
The Philippines are a collection of islands in South East Asia in the Philippine Sea, and the number keeps growing!
The current count by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority is 7,641 islands in total!
Whilst there may be a lot of islands, the most popular islands for gay travellers are Cebu, Palawan, Boracay and Bohol.
Many people fly in to Manila (the capital) and spend a few days there but I opted not to as I wanted to focus on the beach destinations (however this is where you will find some gay bars in the Philippines – see below).
The Philippines is known for its warm culture and stunning scenery.
Though LGBT rights groups around the country demand the passing of the Equality Bill. This bill is intended to prevent any acts of discrimination against the LGBT community.
At present, as its members become more accepted, the community continues to strive to become recognized and protected by society.
Contemporary Queer Culture In The Philippines
In the Philippines, the LGBT community has a unique culture that transcends society.
Other websites also make this suggestion so it is a good bet for the closest thing to a gay bar in Boracay.
Gay Bars in Palawan
Again, like Boracay there are no official gay bars in Palawan (Palawan being the island where El Nido and Puerto Princesa are). For this gay sauna its best to reserve online in advance to make sure you get in.
A natural comparison would be Thailand, however the Philippines is currently less touristy and so retains more of its natural unspoilt beauty.
Some places in the Philippines such as El Nido have been voted as the most beautiful places on the planet. In this article, we are going to elaborate on the queer culture, the local life, and what you should know about the Gay Philippines.
In this article we will cover...
Queer History In The Gay Philippines
The country has had a long history as far as the LGBT community is concerned.
Metro Manila Pride marches have been running since 2016 – see more on Metro Manila Pride.
Intensity Manila – this is a circuit party held in Manila and has dates coming up for next year. While it is generally safe to be gay in the Philippines due to tolerance, there needs to be changed in the viewpoint of people to make the country truly gay-friendly.
Hotspots In The Gay Philippines
For those who are seeking for a refuge from the discriminatory heterosexual community, the country hosts several hotspots where you could acquaint yourselves with some of the LGBT members.
Since I have been this may have changed.
The other option is to fly into Puerto Princesa.
From here you have a 6-8 hour journey to get to El Nido. Even members of the LGBT community themselves are homophobic at times.