Gay Vienna – Where The Prince Was A Queen!

TotallyOz · February 12, 2013

Gay Vienna – Where The Prince Was A Queen!

Vienna tends to get a bad rap when people think about talking a gaycation in Europe. It doesn't end up on the gaydar the way other cities like Barcelona, Paris or Athens do. But, that's mostly due to outdated thinking. For years, Vienna did have some repressive laws relating to homosexuality, and they didn't even have their first Gay Pride Parade until 1996. However, over the past 10 years the gay scene in Vienna has exploded and become one of the most interesting places to go gay on vacation in Europe.

This shouldn't be surprising, as Vienna has a rich gay history. The most interesting figure has to be Prince Eugene of Savoy from the mid-1600s, who was sent to Vienna to save the city from the occupation of the Ottoman Empire. Not only was this openly gay man successful at pushing out the invaders; he became one of the most important military leaders in Vienna's history. But, he was also an interesting human being. When he heard that Louis XIV would not receive him at the Court Of Versailles in military dress because of his homosexuality, he turned up in full drag – with his boyfriend at his side.

Meanwhile, less than a decade later, Emperor Karl VI would take the throne in Vienna and make his homosexuality clear, with his long-term relationship with Count Michael Johann III Althan.

This is to say nothing of Vienna's most famous gay historical figure, composer Franz Schubert. Schubert's story is somewhat tragic. He let it be known that he was gay, but was pressured by his friends to at least try sex with a woman once. They brought him to a brothel to see what a female sexperience would be like, contracted syphilis from the visit, and died a short time later.

With this type of history in the city, it should be no surprise that once it decided to enter the modern era, it became one of the most vibrant gay scenes in all of Europe. So, my terrific twinks, beautiful bears and lovely boy toys, let's take a little tour of Gay Vienna, where queens are more than welcome (even if they are princes!).

The Male Escort Scene

Prostitution is completely legal in Vienna - even street prostitution - and both male and female prostitutes are common. Your best bet is to avoid the street rent boys (who are often the victims of sex trafficking) and instead hit the gay male brothels, which are much safer and exploit the boys considerably less.

You'll find the brothels in the Gürtel section of town, as well as in the Second District. Because they are legal, they are easy to look up online or even to have your concierge make a recommendation for you and provide directions.

Some of them are very small operations with just two or three boys available, but there are also larger and more upscale ones if you want to spend the extra money.

It should be noted that there are also several go-go gay bars in Vienna. But, the boys who work in these bars are not male escorts. But they will be more than willing to hint to you that they are available for sex in order to get you to pay for more and more lap dances. Understand that you'll never get laid with them, and save your cash for the real rent boys.

The Gayborhood

If you are looking to find the gay bars and clubs in Vienna, you'll want to head over to the Gay Village – the Naschmarkt neighborhood. To get there, take the subway to the U Pilgramgasse metro stop. You'll find yourself in gay heaven – surrounded by gay-friendly shops and restaurants, as well as a number of ever-changing gay watering holes.

You'll also find fliers here for the latest gay events, and it will be a great way for you to get the lay of the land, so to speak.

Gay Events

There are a large number of gay-friendly events and things to see in Vienna. If you are looking for culture you can head over to the Leopold Museum, which hosts the Naked Men exhibit - a celebration of male nudes in art over the past 300 years. It's like porn, but, you know, art!

Every May the city hosts the Life Ball, which is the largest and most successful event in Europe to raise money for HIV prevention and awareness. It's also a gay old time, where you can dress your best and dance the night away as though you were back in the age of princes and kings.

In June the city hosts their Gay Pride Parade, which is quickly on track to eventually become the largest pride event in all of Europe.

Finally, in April the city hosts the Vienna Bear Congress, which is exactly what you'd think it is, except it starts off with a massive traditional waltz that is not to be missed.

The Rest Of The Best Of Vienna

When you are looking for more traditional things to do while visiting Vienna, it mostly comes down to two main types of things – classical music and coffee.

The classical music scene of Vienna has been important for centuries and still is today. No matter what time of year you go, you'll find interesting concerts that are not to be missed.

And, not enough can be said about the coffee. For hundreds of years, Vienna controlled the coffee trade in Europe, and it shows. There are more than three dozen ways you can get coffee served, and this is the only city in Europe to have a better reputation for java than Italy.

Let's Get Gay In Vienna!

Stop thinking of Vienna as a backwards and boring city! Instead, come here and get your gay on! (Just don't end up like Schubert.)

cc 2013 boytoy.com

February 13, 2013

Well done T.O.! Vienna is on my short list.

(You should write for the gay equivalent of Conde Nast.)

February 13, 2013

I love Vienna. I used to visit all the time when I lived in Munich. In fact I was there when the original Dallas was fuming there. I got to meet Bobby Ewing and his then wife April Stephens.