By Stefan Arestis
Jan 11th 2021

After 8 years living on the streets, I had saved up enough to rent a modest flat in the suburbs of Phnom Penh. Eventually, my brother and I saved enough money to buy and open a gay bar.

In Phnom Penh, we connected with local gay boy, Aaron, who spent his childhood living on the streets of Phnom Penh for 8 years until he managed to develop a better life for himself and his family. In this interview with Aaron, he tells us about gay life in Cambodia and what it's really like:

I have had several jobs throughout my life, but what I am most proud of is owning some of the most prominent bars in Phnom Penh as well as doing performing the occasional drag show for my guests.

When I came out to my mother, at first she could not bring herself to accept it and even refused to speak to me for 2 years. But as I said, over time, she grew to accept me and love me for who I am. Today she is my #1 fan and even helps me prepare for my shows by brushing my wigs, cleaning my clothes, and giving me makeup tips!

Growing up in the 1990s, Cambodian society wasn't as accepting and tolerant as it is today. Being gay was seen as a taboo, not helped by the fact that there was no positive representation of homosexuality in the press or media. For example, there were no gay celebs, singers, actors, or other role models to show that being gay is something “normal”. Instead, everything was very heteronormative and homosexuality perceived more as an illness. For this reason, I didn’t accept I was gay until I was 20 years old, largely helped by the onset of the Internet when I could connect with like-minded individuals from all around the world who showed me that being gay is actually not a disease, but something very normal!

I have managed and at one stage owned several bars in Phnom Penh, both straight and gay, and at no stage did we ever experience any discrimination or homophobia. We were always polite to the authorities, abiding by every requirement, and cautious never to breach any licensing laws. For this reason, we developed a very respectful reputation.

Sadly, my gay bar didn't survive the Covid recession that hit most businesses in Cambodia in 2020 and we had to close down. I therefore now focus on my drag performances, which is what I love doing the most.

full.https://nomadicboys.com/phnom-penh-gay-scene/

The article recommends POPP, which was renamed POC (Pride of Cambodia), then changed hands and was renamed Freedom Bar in earlyf 2020, just in time for Covid. Most recently it has a For Rent sign on the front. Feel a bit sorry for whoever took it on for the Freedom Bar era, that was unfortunate timing.

I did a massive double take when this thread appeared as “similar topics” under the Aaron In Cambodia thread.

There was a nightly drag show in Siem Reap, can't remember the bar but it was fabulous!

Is this about that vlogger Aaron Eyman being gay? Anyways nothing wrong about being gay usually its very party-minded people.

Strawberryshake wrote: ↑Sat Feb 27, 2021 8:20 pm Is this about that vlogger Aaron Eyman being gay? Anyways nothing wrong about being gay usually its very party-minded people.

No, just another guy called Aaron who lives in PP and is gay. Because they've got the same first name, it comes up on the "similar topics" at the bottom of the page, but they are not connected AFAIK.

Strawberryshake wrote: ↑Sat Feb 27, 2021 8:20 pm
Is this about that vlogger Aaron Eyman being gay?

NJH is his icon

rozzieoz wrote: ↑Sat Feb 27, 2021 4:09 pm There was a nightly drag show in Siem Reap, can't remember the bar but it was fabulous!

Barcode? If I remember right.

Copy paste culture.
Template lifestyle.