Saint-Barth Stands Out As A Haven Of Acceptance In A Rough Part Of Town
The Caribbean offers some of the most beautiful destinations in the world—and some of the most homophobic. Jamaica is infamous for its socially approved murder of gay men and ‘corrective’ rape of lesbians, while the beautiful island of St Lucia is, disappointingly, not far behind in its condoning of anti-LGBTI policies and behaviour. For LGBTI admirers of island getaways looking for something different from the Asia-Pacific region’s offerings, the Caribbean seems off limits.
Luckily, though, there is an exception—and it is a splendid one. Forget all about those repressed, British-influenced places; come feel the love as only the French can offer. We all know how wonderfully demonstrative les Français can be in all things sexual, so it comes as a happy surprise to learn that the island of Saint-Barthelémy, better known to the world as St Bart’s in English and Saint-Barth (pronounced ‘San Bart’) in French, is one Caribbean island where a ‘live and let live’ culture thrives to the benefit of all. This is a place where gay couples from Nowheresville can hold hands in public without worrying that some Bible-toting extremist will ruin their day with epithets—or worse—hurled at them. They get enough of that at home.
Saint-Barth is well known as a celebrity magnet, but the reality is that the locals are far more interesting than the visitors. Here in this little part of France, islanders who have lived on Saint-Barth all their lives welcome those who have come to find their own bit of paradise. The important thing is to leave the attitude at home; there is no place for arrogance on a small island where everyone is special in one way or another.
One of the best places to mingle with the open-minded islanders is at La Grande Saline, the beloved pristine beach where gay men turn to the right, lesbians to the left. Being a French place and a tropical place though, such demarcations are as superfluous as a mink stole over a singlet. Elsewhere, the small boutiques of little Gustavia (Saint-Barth’s cute capital, which still touts its Swedish heritage in the form of solid stone buildings and blue-eyed residents) competes with the raucous Le Select in the popularity of visitors looking to get to know the island from a resident’s point of view.
Why come halfway across the world to lie on a beach when there are so many nice ones just a few hours away from Perth? With the US still surging in popularity as a holiday destination, with the Australian dollar still surging in value on international currency markets, and with jetBlue Airlines surging ahead of its low-cost competitors in offering good value on international flights from the US to its vast network of Caribbean destinations, why not carpe the diem and go somewhere new? No matter how nice Australian and Asian islands may be, there is something wonderfully cosmopolitan about French islands, and though New Caledonia is a great place and French Polynesia is gorgeous, neither offers anywhere near the same combination of gay welcome, generous spirit, high-quality service, and chic cachet as Saint-Barth.
Speaking of service, a deluxe concierge service on Saint-Barth offers specialised assistance to gay visitors. One phone call to Premium IV ensures everything will be perfect from arrival to departure. The elegant Vincent Chevalier – a dashing figure who looks like a client of his own services – is the man to know, the man who somehow never breaks a sweat while working tirelessly to make sure his clients’ holidays are flawless. Premium IV can tell you when to visit for whatever you seek, whether they be the unpublicised gay parties frequented by the A-list crowds from New York and Paris or the periods to avoid them.
Many of Premium IV’s gay clients ensconce themselves in villas provided by Ici Et Là Villa Rentals, which manages some of the most spectacular of villas on an island not lacking in fine properties. While at first they may seem costly, some mathematical calculations reveal they are actually no more expensive than several double rooms at a five-star hotel. For groups of friends travelling together, the villa option is very appealing in this respect; for the same price as four luxury hotel rooms, why not have a four-suite villa with private swimming pool and staff to look after your every need?
For singles or couples who prefer hotels to villas, the trendy Christopher in Pointe Milou hosts a young crowd in its minimal-chic rooms, while the villas of Hotel Carl Gustaf in town above Gustavia harbour are the preferred base for shoppers. Most exclusive of all in its isolated location on Saint-Barth’ ‘wild coast’ is Le Toiny, where privacy and discretion are of utmost importance, with gastronomy taking pride of place at the excellent Le Gaïac.
When lounging around the pool becomes too demanding, get out and see a bit of the wild nature that makes Saint-Barth so appealing a contrast to its overbuilt Caribbean neighbours. The charming Hélène Bernier, owner of Easy Time ecotours, and her delightful and handsome assistant, Michael Gramm, take visitors around the island to explore its unique flora and fauna—and maybe a bit of culture and rum thrown in for good measure. Tours are customised according to your wishes, so anything is possible. Hélène is also the leading environmental activist on Saint-Barth and works hard to raise awareness of the threats to the island’s beauty through her non-profit organisation, Saint-Barth Essentiel. She loves her island and so will you.
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Robert La Bua
