JAPAN: Thousands of gays and lesbians take to the streets in Tokyo for their annual Pride Parade

Record ID: 277319

  • Title: JAPAN: Thousands of gays and lesbians take to the streets in Tokyo for their annual Pride Parade
  • Date: 19th August 2006
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) HIDEKI SUNAGAWA, ORGANISER OF THE PARADE, SAYING: "While there are many Japanese that still can't come out (of the closet) and Japanese society is believed to be oppressive towards gays, we want to show that we can still come out and have fun. We want to show people (both gay and straight) that we are not unhappy and sexual minorities and we do not l
  • Embargoed: 3rd September 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Lifestyle
  • Reuters ID: LVA38KEIXBOY72YMJQM68E15ZEK4
  • Story Text: Nearly 3,000 Japanese gays and lesbians turned up on the streets of downtown Tokyo on Saturday (August 13) hoping to make their presence felt and their voices heard in one of Asia's largest gay pride parades after Sydney and Bangkok.
    While Japan does not have any discriminatory laws against sexual minorities, many gays and lesbians say they feel that society as a whole tends to treat them as an invisible minority. It is not uncommon for men and women to be fired from companies, thrown out of homes and even physically assaulted in parks because they are gay. While the gay press reports on these incidents, some in the community feel it is rarely taken up by the mainstream media and often not taken seriously by the police.
    Organisers hope this parade will help people realise the gay community in Japan is a vibrant and happy one.
    "While there are many Japanese that still can't come out (of the closet) and Japanese society is believed to be oppressive to gays, we want to show that we can still come out and have fun. We want to show people (both gay and straight) that we are not unhappy and sexual minorities do not lead unhappy lives," said Hideki Sunagawa, organiser of the TLGP (Tokyo Lesbian Gay Parade) 2006.
    "We just want people to know that gays, lesbians and transgenders are like everyone and we can be their neighbours or the people they see going to the supermarket everyday," added Takashi Otsuki, 58 year old bar owner.
    Many of the placards at the Pride Parade in Tokyo this year also called on for a change in the law in Japan to recognise same sex partnerships.
    Japan does not allow same sex unions and authorities often prevent Japanese nationals from trying to obtain a partnership with a foreigner.
    "I hope these parades help the average person understand that gays are not an invisible minority and hope this will lead to a change in laws-- for example, I hope we will be allowed to marry one day," Nahoko Koike, 27 year old restaurant owner said.
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