Shaun's Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

My name: Shaun
My age: 28
My profession: Asst. Restaurant Manager
City/town: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Currently reside in Chicago)
Relationship status: Single
Sexuality: Gay
Member name: shaun5961

What are some of the things you love most about Kuala Lumpur?

The culture, Unity and Peace ... love the food! Just love the fact that I could walk out of my house at 2am in the morning and get a nice plate of fried noodles, cooked to perfection.

If someone came to your town for just four hours, what is the one thing he should do?

(Getty Images) To visit the Petronas Twin Towers. It is a spectacular landmark.

What are some great restaurants for a night out with gay friends?

Mamaks - The young students and working adults of the Klang Valley enjoy eating and drinking in Indian roadside-stalls at night. This is known as 'Mamak' culture, and the term originates from the name of the race of people that first set up these stalls, who are Indian Muslims. Today, Mamak no longer refers to Indian Muslims but is interchangeably used to describe any road-side or street-side stall for eating that opens at night and attracts a large crowd.

Indian cuisine is the norm but modern times have compelled many Mamak stall owners to diversify their menu to include Chinese, Western and other interesting entrees. The setup is very simple, with plastic tables and chairs that are strewn across street curbs, parking lots and flat pavements and a cooking stall from which the chef whips us the drinks and food. Sometimes, Mamaks have attracted controversy as a few people have been killed while dining as their tables are haphazardly placed right next to the road, a sitting target for a car that's out of control.

What are some great restaurants for a romantic gay date? What about these restaurants appeals to you?

Frangipani -If you're looking for ambiance, Frangipani is the height of sophistication. With a skylight above the poolside tables, this is the place to see and to be seen.Try their house specialties, tea-smoked salmon and home-made ice cream. After dinner, head upstairs to the bar,

69 Bistro -14 Jln Kampung Dollah (see map, beside Berjaya Times Square), 2144-3369. This gay-owned restaurant is a living tribute to the pop 60s with its mod prints, retro-flavored furniture, vintage fab

Shook - (Asian and European) B/F Starhill Gallery (see map), 2719-8535. Trendy and stylish restaurant in the basement of Bukit Bintang's high-end glam mall is popular with local and visiting gays (duh!). Live music in the atrium.rics and several antique pieces. Horoscope and tarot card readings on occasion.

What are your favorite gay bars and/or dance clubs?

Most of the well-known clubs are located in the Golden Triangle area, notably in Bukit Bintang, along Jalan Ampang and Sultan Ismail. Some hotels have their own in-house clubs or 'lounges' which can be equally as impressive in ambiance and trim levels.

The popular pubs and bars are found in the urban residential areas of Bangsar and Hartamas, where the streets are lined with glittery lights, accompanied by loud music and the air pierced by cheers from patrons.

The city centre of Kuala Lumpur, along with some choice urban spots, lights up with excitement at night as crowds of youngsters, revelers and yuppies frequent clubs, bars and pubs on the streets. The hive of activity usually begins from 10 pm onwards though some nightspots open earlier. Karaoke is another popular activity, usually among Chinese who just love to bellow or croon oldies and contemporary pop music from Hong Kong, regardless of the breaking windows!

As Malaysia is a Muslim country, the Authorities enforce a 3 am closure ruling for nightspots in Kuala Lumpur city areas, while clubs and pubs in urban areas in the vicinity of residential estates have to close at 1 am. Occasionally, the police will conduct raids on random places to check for illicit drugs, prostitution and other vices of society. Sometimes, the severity of raids can affect the reputation and business of a club, causing it an early downfall.

The night life in Malaysia is pretty exciting and booming. Being gay in Malaysia is different, some are fortunate to be able to live their lives as who they are and some are not. I moved here partially because of that. Malaysia stands under heavy influence of Islam and homosexuality is technically illegal. LGBT Malaysians are often seen as immoral and treated as deviants and criminals. There is a national gay organization in this country, which receives little support.

Where is the best public place for a gay person to make out there?

Malaysia has a religious police force, like Saudi Arabia which are a nuisance. They raid bars, saunas and clubs even if the secular police wish to turn a blind eye. One of the gay saunas, Babylon KL, was raided by these vigilantes and later closed down. Gay men kissing public in Malaysia is a total NO NO!

Where do you shop for clothes?

Kuala Lumpur is one of Southeast Asia's premier shopping destinations, attracting visitors from all across the globe. From traditional handicrafts to fancy souvenirs and the latest designer brands to cutting-edge electrical appliances, you'll find it all in Kuala Lumpur! so its a combination of local and international retail shops. I do like a local designer and pretty reasonable - philosophy.

Where do you go for other forms of entertainment -- live theater, concerts, movies, art exhibits? Are there any local gay performance groups, bands, or artists that you're a fan of?

Kuala Lumpur plays host to a variety of exciting events in the arts & entertainment scene each year. Enjoy musical concerts that range from local artistes to international stars on stage, belting out the latest hits on the airwaves. Music has always been a key form of entertainment for people. In Kuala Lumpur, local artistes share the limelight with international favorites to spring forth their music. As Kuala Lumpur has a mixed society, you can find local Malay, Chinese and Indian singers holding concerts, some of them being famous enough to be recognized in other Southeast Asian countries that speak the same dialects in Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur has a bright and lively arts scene, run by old-timers and newcomers to the acting stage. Here, the theme of plays and musicals are often an interpretation of local life in Malaysia with the occasional adaptation of international classics. International performances also make their way here too, such as those from Broadway, the West End, Cats, Stomp! and other great names

Even if you're far from home, you'll never miss the opportunity to catch the latest movies from Hollywood in Kuala Lumpur. There are a large number of cineplex halls in KL, located in major shopping centres. Cinemas were rendered obsolete by these cineplexes, which offer multiple halls for viewing movies and ease of convenience because of their location inside shopping malls.

If you had gay friends visiting from out of town for the first time, what are some 'must-dos' you'd recommend?

I did have a friend visit me and this is what we did:

1) Taste and savor the Malaysian Cusine 2) Visit to the Petronas Twin Towers 3) Kuala Lumpur Bird Park 4) Central Market 5) Starhill Gallery 6) Dewan Filharmonik (Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra) 7) Batu Caves 8) Litttle India

One of the things you have to do is visit Senjakala Spa Kuala Lumpur. I believe its owned by an American but its value for money. For an approximate $40, you get a full 1 hour and half nude body massage. http://www.senjakala.com/

What was the last vacation you took? Where did you go? Where do you most want to go?

To me vacations means off from work for 2 weeks or more. The last time was 2007 February. Malaysia, Bangkok and Singapore. I want to visit Madrid and Prague.

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Comments

[Me]

It looks like not only "... homosexuality is technically illegal..." (What are your favorite gay bars and/or dance clubs section), it seems that "deodorant" is also *technically* illegal down there, too. Might as well! Nobody uses deodorant down there. To be fair, not only in Malaysia, it's the whole SEA! Especially Singapore! With triple digit temperature almost every day, any public place is a BO heaven. For you Barrack Obama groupies, don't pack your bags yet! I didn't mean Barrack Obama heaven.

[Colby]

Little Maggie is so cute! Though she looks overdue for a haircut!

[daddy_bear54]

Spend your tourist dollars somewhere like Canada or Spain where marriage rights have beceome a reality. I wouldn't help support the economy of any country that has a hint of theocracy or where the cops raid the bars, baths or anywhere else they have no business harassing people.

[stev]

just love this article, love to hear more.

[Hi China bay]

Hi I'm Mark .I first time come Malaysia .nice to meet u !

[Sujan P (Australia)]

Hi Shaun, How r u? While it is the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is a truly global in its scope. Various ethnicities and religions coexist peacefully in this cultural and economic center. The city also seemlessly blends the traditional with modern.

[akulah]

kema gay, sial upa kau juak!~

[Victor]

I am a tourist in Kuala Lumpur. Can anyone help me to take me around the city?

[side effects prescription drug celebrex]

Hi!! drugs like celebrex

[Sushanesh]

Hi Shaun,

i would like to have some company with me. Will you intro to me some. I'm lonely at Cheras.

Thanks,

Sushan.