Croatia’s Adriatic coast gets its first openly gay bar

DUBROVNIK, Croatia, June 10 (Reuters) – Croatia’s Adriatic coast, lengthy a magnet for worldwide vacationers, has belatedly acquired its first brazenly homosexual bar, although many shoppers are straight individuals who simply take pleasure in its relaxed vibe within the picturesque setting of Dubrovnik’s Previous City.

Positioned amid the cobbled streets and historic buildings of the medieval port metropolis, “Milk” opened its doorways final month and native media say it’s the first devoted homosexual bar on the Croatian coast, although there are different “gay-friendly” venues.

“That is the one official homosexual bar on (Croatia’s) Adriatic coast, which is extraordinary as a result of Croatia is a serious European vacationer vacation spot,” mentioned Igor Mlinaric, 27, an area journalist.

“Irrespective of how conservative and conventional we’re right here, every kind of individuals come to Dubrovnik and there has all the time been homosexual tourism, even when there have been no venues catering particularly for them,” mentioned Mlinaric, who’s homosexual.

The bar has change into a preferred venue in its first month of enterprise, although Mlinaric added: “So far as locals are involved, I believe it’s principally straight folks to this point who’re coming.”

Balkan nations stay principally quite conservative on social points and homophobia and discrimination in opposition to sexual minorities are widespread, usually fueled by spiritual leaders and right-wing political events.

Croatia legalised homosexual intercourse greater than 40 years in the past, when it was nonetheless a part of Yugoslavia, however regardless of the influence of mass tourism in latest many years, attitudes in direction of homosexuality haven’t modified markedly within the staunchly Roman Catholic nation.

Romana Ivusic, the bar’s co-owner, mentioned she had sought to fill a niche in Dubrovnik’s tourism market.

“Native folks have reacted positively, seeing this as an addition to what Dubrovnik has to supply for vacationers,” she mentioned.

Reporting by Antonio Bronic; Writing by Aleksandar Vasovic; Modifying by Gareth Jones

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