With the advent of gay and lesbian cruise lines sailing the Caribbean, Bahamian leaders have taken a legal stand against the problems of the gay and lesbian community. The Prime Minister himself has issued statements condemning homophobia and making it illegal. Contrary to popular opinion, today gay travelers to the Bahamas will be welcome to keep the tourism industry alive in the Bahamas. However, the Bahamas are different from the United States. You won’t find many gay-owned or gay-friendly businesses, and gay bars in the Bahamas are very rare, however the gay community, while small, is strong and willing to welcome you.
In the past, the Bahamas tried to publicize the notion that the gay lifestyle was not accepted. There has been widespread homophobia for some time. A 2005 lesbian beauty queen was dethroned and movies like ‘Brokeback Mountain’ have been banned. Furthermore, the Bahamas have made it widely known that there are not even gay bars in the Bahamas. This is their attempt to discourage this lifestyle on their island and in their nightlife.
Fortunately, you just have to know where to look when searching for gay bars in the Bahamas. There are bars that have quietly flourished for forty years. The capital of the Bahamas, Nassau, has four gay owned and operated bars in the center of town. All of these are conveniently located near the tourist area of Cable Beach. Freeport, Grand Bahama is also home to a softer gay nightlife, and still has a meager supply of gay bars.
If you travel to the Bahamas, a warning as a gay traveler. Discretion may not be as standard when traveling in the United States, but in the Bahamas, and particularly in bars, it’s best to be discreet without having to hide who you are. Public displays of affection are not suggested, unless you are in the safety zone of the Bahamas gay bars, where you can feel at home.
