Episode 18: Travel & Retirement Overseas as a Gay, Interracial Couple

The International Living Podcast

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What’s it like to travel the world as a minority? Todd and Damon took to the world together when they decided that a roving retirement fit their inbuilt need for travel and adventure. Together, they lived in 28 different countries over the course of three years, before finally settling down in Mexico’s premier expat city—the colonial highland showpiece of San Miguel de Allende.
In this week’s episode, podcast host Jim Santos delves deeper into Todd and Damon’s experience of cultures around the world. As a gay couple, did they encounter prejudice? As a Black man, did Damon feel any sense of discrimination in the countries he and Todd spent time in? Which locations were more tolerant, which were more traditional, and where did they feel most accepted?
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Music: Royalty Free Music From timtaj.com.

Chapter

1. Episode 18: Travel & Retirement Overseas as a Gay, Interracial Couple (00:00:00)

2. “People in Asia wanted to take their picture with Damon—they’re fascinated” (00:04:00)

3. Why Initial Nervousness (Especially From Our Families) Soon Went Away (00:06:10)

4. How About Acceptance as a Gay Couple Around the World? (00:08:28)

5. Oman and Dubai: The Only Two Countries Where We Changed Our Behavior (00:11:30)

6. Why Living in Mexico Allows us to be Recognized as a Married Couple (00:13:20)

7. Why Things Were More Complicated in Thailand (00:15:40)

8. Taiwan: The One Country in Southeast Asia That Recognizes Same-Sex Marriage (00:16:55)

9. “As a Black Man, Life Overseas Has Been a Change, But it’s Been a Welcome Change” (00:19:28)

10. Our Advice — Go on Facebook, Join an Expat Group, Ask Questions (00:21:45)

11. Where Did We Feel Most Welcome? (00:22:45)

12. “There Has Definitely Been an Increase in African-Americans Getting Out Traveling” (00:28:30)