As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day today, we’re sort of loving this guide to Ireland’s gay scene. “Irish people are known for their gift of gab and you will notice that when you strike up a conversation. They love to chat with strangers. There is seldom a hidden agenda, just a natural curiosity about other people.” We read sentences like this all the time in guidebooks, where the locals are described as if they are animals at the zoo.
“While you won’t be greeted at a gay bar in Dublin by someone peering at you through a slit in the door, you may notice a small vestige from the underground days,” the write up continues. “Unless you are very obviously gay or a familiar face, you will probably be asked by a doorman if you were aware that you were entering a gay bar.” Well, this is the price you pay for being a bromosexual: Mistaken for straight even among your own kind. It’s the unluck of the Irish, we hear.
scotty
Hideous place Dublin
erkki
Hah, this happened to me. I was in Dublin for work in 2006, and went out to The George and the doorman didn’t even mention gay. He asked for ID, I handed him my passport, and he asked, “Do you know what this place is?” He still looked at me suspiciously.
In any case, Dublin is an awful city. Overpriced, homophobic, bad food.
Paschal
@erkki: How is Dublin homophobic exactly? I’m Irish and although homophobia is a problem in Ireland, people seem to think that Ireland is far more homophobic than it actually is. Opinion polls suggest srtong support for gay marriahe and overwhelming support for civil partnerships. The margaons being far higher than the U.S.A.
Chastity Pro Bono
What? I actually live in Ireland and though you may have experienced bad food and over-pricing (tourists are rarely noted for their astuteness, now are they?)Ireland is certain less homophobic than say, Kansas or Utah. Or anywhere in the U.S pretty much. Sorry to disappoint!