That Gay Guy: Lucho talks gay life in Buenos Aires,

Argentina
thatgaybackpacker.com/gay-life-buenos-aires-argentina/
That Gay Guy is a series of interviews with gay guys from all around the world. Each instalment
focuses on a different guy and a different part of the world, and they tell me what gay life is REALLY like for
them in their home. The interviews cover everything from gay marriage to the best places to hook up, and
this week its Lucho who is being interviewed, and he tells me all about gay Buenos Aires.
You grew up in Buenos Aires. What was it like to grow up as a gay kid there?
Mmm actually I think that depends on each person. When I was a kid, Gay life was reserved for TV. It was
so usual to see gay characters, transsexuals in carnival parties, and things like that. Homosexuality since
80`s was introduced in the Argentinean life somehow, there was already people fighting for our rights since
then. So, I think I grew up knowing exactly what being gay was like and the way I felt. I was not openly gay
because of my personal troubles hahahaha. In the past 15 years, gays became regular people and
stopped being seen like an extravaganza.

What do you think is the general attitude towards gay people in Buenos Aires and Argentina?
It is pretty important to notice that gay life is still reserved for big cities (we dont have much large ones),
despite that its being very accepted, every time more and more. People are learning that gay life is
something that goes beyond sex, or religion. We are still in transition, we have a lot to learn and develop,
and even gay people must learn (and teach somehow) about ourselves and our rights.

I always imagine Buenos Aires to
be a great gay destination. Why
should gay travelers visit your
city?
Emmm well We really like to
welcome people from everywhere. Its
such a cosmopolitan city that you will
feel like home. There are options for
everyone and every age. Parties,
discos, saunas, sport groups, gather
points, queer tango classes, we have
all kind of gay services. And the best
in my opinion is that you dont need to
be in the gay ghetto if you dont want.
In many places, hetero life is mixed
with gay life, I think thats very rich and makes us unique.

You have travelled to many different parts of Argentina. Did you notice any major differences in the
gay culture in different places you visited?
Yeah, like I said before, Buenos Aires is the gay center, luckily we have everything here. But in other big
cities like Cordoba, Rosario, Tucumn, Bariloche o Mar del Plata things have been changing for good and
gay life is taking place as a destination, a little because of peoples minds and also because touristic
companies have seen a huge business there.

Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalise same sex marriage. What can the
rest of the world learn from Argentina?
I think weve been the gay spine of Latin America. Our continent is mostly ready to apply changes and
since we legalize gay marriage, other countries followed us; as recently Uruguay did. I think the world
must realize that human rights, in this case gay ones, is not a first world issue as it was thought before,
when only the rich European countries where those who were able to think about these topics. Human
rights should be rights in any place.

Do gay men in Buenos Aires and Argentina face any specific challenges?
There is lot of work to do. First of all, I think we need to help those who still cant get out of the closet, and
teach the society to forget about the gay fancy character that was build during 80s and 90s. Also, we
have a huge challenge to help the transsexual community, they are still facing troubles. They can legally
choose their own gender despite their biological sex, but that is not enough.

Have you taken part in any Gay Pride events in Buenos Aires? If so, what was your experience?
Its funny, because Gay Pride in BA is not very fancy in my opinion, but manages a huge energy and great
vibe. Always a good time. After the gay marriage was approved, its been turning into a huge party where
you meet friends, dance, drink, enjoy concerts, got very family but also reminds you we have a lot of work
to do. Always a great night followed by parties everywhere. In the past years the Gay Pride and the BA
Museum Night are done the same day, so the entire city goes revolutionized one way or another.

Describe Buenos Aires gay nightlife for me Which are your favorite places for drinking, dancing
etc..?
Its important to advice people that night in BA is pretty long, never ends before 7am. We are used to
gather before the disco in some bar of house to drink and chat, and then we arrive to party around 2am
when the dance floor begins to get hot hahaha. There are very different places depending on your interest,
age and music you like. We have more parties than discos, for example the Plop Party, it`s done only on
Fridays in a beautiful theater called Vorterix, (its usually under 30 public). Another party that rocks is
Dorothy, it`s done in a huge fancy place for people who like electronic music. Jolie party (never know if its
name its because Angelina haha) it`s a Wednesday option that I really like. You may find a place to go
almost every day, BA never sleeps. There are bars like Sitges, or Flux, with shows, dance floor, or art
exhibitions (I`ll be presenting my paintings in Flux next November). From a huge circuit of gay theater plays
to the classic saunas or darkrooms, there is no way you get bored.

If you could give one piece advice to a gay traveller visiting Buenos Aires, what would it be?
Let the city take you over. Come to enjoy. Forget who you are and where you come from and let BA make
you feel like a real porteo.

Gay or otherwise, what is your favorite thing about living in Buenos Aires?

Well the intensity. We are intense, people is intense. Like Tango. Thats the Argentinean way of living.
We are a mix of cultures, its a city of immigrants, our grandparents are from everywhere and that can be
easily seen in arts, food, and every corner.

Which is your favorite destination for gay travel outside of Buenos Aires and why?
Mmmm so hard! Let me choose two! Hahaha Im Gemini, cant choose one option. First, Mar del Plata, its
very gay, there are beautiful guys, skaters, surfers, cool discos (not many) you can choose some gay
beaches as well. I love that city, its my second home. The other one, it`s Mendoza, they know how to
party. I recommend going to the Gay Vendimia Week. I had a great time there, and also you will drink the
best wine in the world and enjoy the Andes way of life.

And finally, could you sum up Gay Buenos Aires in three words?
Freedom, Multicultural, Intense

A huuuge thank you to Lucho for agreeing to speak with me. And be sure to check out the previous
instalments in the That Gay Guy series:
M talks Gay Lahore, Pakistan
Yareth talks Gay Rotterdam, Holland
Doug talks Gay Antigua, Guatemala
Janos talks Gay Budapest, Hungary
Salomen talks Gay Zurich, Switzerland