Santiago

[Trixie]

I've been pondering the notion of Chile as my next travel destination... I don't travel the world solely for escorts (obviously!),

but then again, it certainly does no harm in having that option open.

So, do any of you folk in the SA ring travel beyond Brazil, and have any news of the skinny country?

Trix

[trilingual]

Some M4Mers have been there. Have you searched the postings with the handy-dandy message center search feature?

 

General consensus was that Santiago isn't escort heaven, although as in any major city there's some action to be found.

 

Santiago is very large, and spectacularly set in Chile's central valley at the foot of the highest part of the Andes. Unfortunately, severe air pollution at certain times of the year obscures the view of the mountains. The city is large and attractive, but by all accounts not as interesting or beautiful architecturally as Buenos Aires.

 

Culturally, Chile is among the most conservative countries in Latin America. I'm not sure if divorce has even been legalized in Chile yet! (I've seen conflicting accounts about it having recently been made legal, but I'm not sure if that's true.) Maggie Thatcher's hearthrob, General Pinochet, is still dodging justice in Chile, and the ultra-conservative military still are very powerful and threatening behind the scenes.

 

None of this is meant to scare you off going. It's just to set the stage for what you will find. Chile also has spectacular scenery, charming people and world-renowned wine and seafood, among other things (not to mention a couple of now-deceased Nobel Prize winning poets). Virtually everyone I know who's visited Chile has enjoyed their visit. Compared to B.A. or the big cities of Brazil, though, Santiago isn't a gay mecca. As long as you don't go with high expectations in that regard, you'll undoubtedly have a great time!

[Guest alain]

I think a visit to Chile is very interesting. Suggest to visit the gay website: http://www.gaychile.com and you have the chance to read it in English too. September is very nice as spring starts at th 21st, and on Sept.18th.they celebrate the Independence Day with lots of folklorical events, as the "cueca" is the national dance. Enjoy it.:-)

[+ glutes]

Trix:

There is one sauna where some 'action' can be found, but be very discreet and careful. This town is very conservative!

[Guest BottomBoyRandy8]

I haven't been in Santiago for a couple of years, BUT the "be careful" advice should still hold true. I have several friends there and although they know I'm gay they prefer the "don't ask and certainly don't tell policy." One guy told me he'd like to experiment but NOT in Chile. Having lived about 1/2 my life in South America I tend to live the gay life on the side of caution in some places down there. I've seen too many guys arrested for flaunting it especially in places like Chile, Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia. If having one foot in the closet is something you just can't do than please do be careful and know where you are going.

[trilingual]

Discretion is probably the best approach in Chile. However, the scene in Santiago, although not on the same level as B.A., S.P. or Rio, is adequate. Chile is also changing, even though it's a slow process. Civil union legislation has been introduced (or is about to be introduced) in the national legislature. I don't think it has much of a chance at this point, but just the fact that it's become a subject of public discussion is a tectonic shift in attitudes.

[RobertoBA]

There are some sites to visit. http://www.gaychile.com , http://www.zonagay.cl ,http://www.santiagogay.com , http://www.naciongay.cl http://www.siempregay.com , and the gaynewspaper: http://www.opusgay.cl. RobertoBA.

[Guest Nico]

Santiago is a great city and while it was conservative, it is changing very quickly these days. It is true that Congress is still discussing a divorce law, the story is that legal annulments have been easy and available always. At the same time, the most popular TV soap Opera "Machos" features a non-stereotype gay main character (Ariel) who is liked by everyone, and the show runs in the channel owned by the Catholic University. Gay men have been coming out in reality shows, homosexuality is a main topic in cover pages. The younger generations have very liberal and accepting views about gays, and we finf that suddenly gay is "in". All of this has made the local gay scene more interesting and diverse. Gay pride parades are larger every year and get more serious press coverage. A same sex civil union law is being presented in Congress, although it will take a while to pass. Or we may be surprised. The histories of repression linked to the military have been over for a long while and there is no reason to fear. Sometimes you get to play with uniformed men, cops mostly, although I hear the navy can be wild. I think the warnings I see here are a bit exagerated, yes, you have to be careful, avoid sex in public places, you may be harassed or arrested, use your common sense when cruising men. You may be surprised by the hotties you can catch. As for escorts, chat rooms are very helpful, but, be careful. Lately I have run into some very cute Argentine escorts working here, maybe making some extra money during vacation. I don't know of a reputed agency, though, and I hope someone starts one soon.

[Guest Nico]

Santiago is a great city and while it was conservative, it is changing very quickly these days. It is true that Congress is still discussing a divorce law, the story is that legal annulments have been easy and available always. At the same time, the most popular TV soap Opera "Machos" features a non-stereotype gay main character (Ariel) who is liked by everyone, and the show runs in the channel owned by the Catholic University. Gay men have been coming out in reality shows, homosexuality is a main topic in cover pages. The younger generations have very liberal and accepting views about gays, and we finf that suddenly gay is "in". All of this has made the local gay scene more interesting and diverse. Gay pride parades are larger every year and get more serious press coverage. A same sex civil union law is being presented in Congress, although it will take a while to pass. Or we may be surprised. The histories of repression linked to the military have been over for a long while and there is no reason to fear. Sometimes you get to play with uniformed men, cops mostly, although I hear the navy can be wild. I think the warnings I see here are a bit exagerated, yes, you have to be careful, avoid sex in public places, you may be harassed or arrested, use your common sense when cruising men. You may be surprised by the hotties you can catch. As for escorts, chat rooms are very helpful, but, be careful. Lately I have run into some very cute Argentine escorts working here, maybe making some extra money during vacation. I don't know of a reputed agency, though, and I hope someone starts one soon.