The Pacific Island nation of Tahiti held its first major 'gay party' last weekend, welcoming around 300 gay tourists who arrived on the island for a one-week cruise around the islands nearby. "I want Tahiti to become a gay-friendly destination," explains party promoter Arnaud Anjou to Tahitipresse. "These visitors come from the entire world, from Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, France, Norway and so on. They have a high standard of living." It's not the first time Tahiti has been promoted on the gay international marketplace, but last weekend's party was the first large-scale homo-celebration - and more gay events are planned as all-gay cruise liners are scheduled to stop off there in coming months. But Homosexual Association president Dolores Dogba says being gay in Tahiti is not always plain sailing. "Religion is still important in Tahiti and the island is small, so in some ways, everybody knows everybody," she says. "That's why gays tend to keep a low profile in French Polynesia."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Saturday, 9th May 2009 - 4:19pm