Travel Unscripted by Murphy Mark

Author:Murphy, Mark [Murphy, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780983943235
Published: 2012-06-05T04:00:00+00:00

11

Bad Boys in Bangkok

Nick Choo and I most definitely get some looks when we travel together to locales around the globe. Let’s face it: I’m a middle-aged guy accompanied by another dude who looks far junior to me and much younger than his actual age. It’s often just the two of us, so people we encounter often jump to the conclusion that if we are traveling together, we must be together. Let’s make it official right now. I’m not gay, not that there is anything wrong with that. Neither is Nick. We are both married and no, we are not operating on the down low, as pop culture tends to describe married guys who go out and frequent the gay scene.

But that doesn’t stop those looks. Picture this: We are at a resort like Sandals, one that caters specifically to couples and romantic getaways. It’s always a beautiful setting, with the tropical breeze moving the branches of nearby palm trees and the Caribbean Sea and sand just steps away. As the sun goes down the atmosphere becomes even lovelier with white-glove dining in an outdoor setting enhanced by candlelight. Nick and I arrive and the hostess has that puzzled look on her face, especially if she didn’t see us filming all over the property earlier that day. We take our seats and make small talk as couples all around us are staring into each other’s eyes and whispering playfully. Many of these couples have arrived directly from their wedding day, or even got hitched at the resort. Romance is in the air. So what about us?

You can see what I mean.

In some countries and specific locales being gay can be dangerous. These are typically intolerant places where many are afraid to be open about their sexuality for fear of physical harm, or in some cases, death. In those places Nick will actually bring his larger camera and equipment to dinner, providing a sort of prop that indicates “Hey, we are actually here to work and aren’t on some kind of date!”

Imagine what it’s like to feel open discrimination like that. I get a taste of it when people draw the wrong conclusions about Nick and me. In some cases I see a bemused reaction and in others I see open hostility. That’s a disturbing reality that is hard to fathom as an open-minded individual who believes in live and let live. It’s akin to standing on a street corner in Manhattan and hailing a cab. If you are black, you’ll see empty cabs pass you by as they practice open discrimination. I’ve witnessed that myself.

Prior to my travels I’d never been the target of discrimination, hostility or plain old mistaken identity. Now I have. Not all of the reactions are hostile, but many are opportunistic and some are even humorous. I learned a lesson about that one night when Nick and I had a chance to explore Bangkok, widely regarded as the sex capital of the world.

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