H—
may 16.2003
_______ ___________________
PACK UP AND GET OUT!
Moorman. “Less attitude than most Paris
ipples from America’s jihad on terror
spots." Le Depot is on Le Marais’ northern
changed more than fried potatoes into
fringe, and hidden through the twisting hall
“freedom fries." War with Iraq seem
ways of the downstairs darkroom is a better bar
ingly has altered longtime friends into
Political
hot
spots
spice
up
E
u
r
o
p
e
a
n
travel
and dance flexor.
foes: Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands,
“Paris is pretension times two,” counters
France. Luckily, touring “old" Europe with this
by T im J oyce
Michael Castelblanco, who lived in Europe for
new world order is still fun as hell.
several
years. “Lots of twinks, lot of flamers.
“People here understand in general the
Lesbians are runway models."
Across the Atlantic, bar and bathhouse blur
Despite politics and Yankee music blaring in
American people aren’t responsible for the war.
into
darkened
backrooms
where
nearly
anything
Now in Portland finishing his degree,
every
bar,
the
European
scene
is
very
different.
They see it as Bush’s war," says Jonathan
Castelblanco much prefers Berlin. The city’s
Experiencing sexuality isn’t talxx), and homo
goes. No guilt or stigma is felt, and nearly every
Schroeder, a former Portlander living in
sexuality is less of an identity. But expect to pay
venue has a dark room or comer. Protection
renaissance has construction cranes all over the
Hanover, Germany. “1 can’t imagine anyone
skyline. Running above and below ground, the
for toilets sometimes, and remember that no
messages are everywhere in many languages.
encountering negative attitudes for simply
metro system can confuse but remains the best
last call can throw you more than jet lag.
“Many countries in Europe have strong
being American.”
bet in getting around. Highly popular among
recognition of domestic partnerships, and sev
young tourists, Berlin boasts several gay
eral allow gay marriages," says Schroeder.
enclaves and is known for its leather scene,
“Open attitudes about sexuality run deeper in
which is more bark than bite.
European society. It would he a shame for
Americans not to experience
living a more relaxed and care
free gay life.”
Which destination is the
only difficult question.
“Paris is my favorite,” says
antique dealer Frank Moorman,
who I met at the bar of Le Carré,
a hip, ultramodern gay spot in
the City of Lights. Fast-paced
Paris has much to offeT. While
“Li Queen” is Paris’ most famous
gay venue, it is overpnxJuced and
on the touristy Champs-Elysées.
Fhxxied with heterosexuals, it’s
far from the city’s gay district, Le
Marais. North of Hotel de Ville
(City Hall), the large area is diffi
cult to navigate, even for
Francophones.
Although somewhat pretentious, Paris offers the gay traveler
Homo Erectus, a gay bar near Brussels City Hall, has friendly employees and patrons eager to chat
“I love the Depot,” adds
fast-paced night life
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