Bondage and the gay leather scene Kuala Lumpur
Story by: Mike Miksche
Photography by: IntaGlove
April 8, 2020
According to Malaysia’s tourism minister, there are no gay people in the Muslim majority country. Yet, there are many gay bistros and bars in Kuala Lumpur, including a “bear friendly” one. There are several men-only saunas too. Gay men obviously do exist, but it doesn’t mean it’s safe for them. In 2018, 20 men were charged with “illicit behavior” at a gay club, and the following year, a sting led to charges against 11 men. Many of them were jailed, caned, or both.
IntaGlove, a fetish photographer who’s been living in Kuala Lumpur since 2002, created this photo series exclusively for Drummer. We caught up with him to talk bondage, and to get insight into the city’s gay leather scene.
Drummer: What is Kuala Lumpur’s leather and kink scene like?
IntaGlove: It’s mostly underground.
Is there a community of leathermen and kinksters?
Yes, but again, it’s mostly underground. We all connect through social media, and we have social gatherings a few times a year.
Where do you buy gear from?
Mostly online, and if I’m traveling, from shops. I have purchased stuff from 665, Fort Troff, Mr. S Leather, Mister B, R&Co, eBay, and Taobao.
Is it difficult to meet other guys who are into bondage there?
Not particularly, as there are apps, but since I’m in a long-term relationship with my partner, I’m not very active in meeting other guys for play. I’m more interested in expanding and strengthening the local fetish scene through my lens, as I feel it could use more representation. I think the general social climate for the gay and fetish community has come a long way and is a lot more liberal now than it was 20 years ago, but we are still quite far behind, compared with the United States and Europe.
How do you learn about bondage in a place like Malaysia?
Through the internet and through friends who are into it. I’m not particularly into BDSM. I’m a uniform and leather guy, so I’m mostly into gear. I am, however, a fetish photographer, so I try to cover a wide spectrum of the fetish community through my lens.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
