JAPAN: HOMOSEXUALS WEARING KIMONOS AND LEATHER G-STRINGS MARCH THROUGH THE STREETS OF TOKYO ON SUNDAY IN JAPAN'S FIRST EVERY GAY RALLY.

Record ID: 335732

  • Title: JAPAN: HOMOSEXUALS WEARING KIMONOS AND LEATHER G-STRINGS MARCH THROUGH THE STREETS OF TOKYO ON SUNDAY IN JAPAN'S FIRST EVERY GAY RALLY.
  • Date: 28th August 1994
  • Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (AUGUST 28, 1994) 1. SV'S: MEN DRESSED IN FEMALE CLOTHES, PREPARING FOR THE PARADE (2 SHOTS) 0.06 2. PULL BACK: MAN SHOWING HIS BUTTOCKS DURING THE PARADE 0.10 3. CU: SAYS "PEOPLE LOOK AT US AND THINK WE ARE STRANGE" (JAPANESE) 0.20 4. MCU: A FEMALE MARCHER SAYS "I HAVE TO HIDE MY IDENTITY BECAUS
  • Embargoed: 12th September 1994 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
  • City:
  • Country: Japan
  • Reuters ID: LVACPR9FFBL21FFUJXU8KTU66C64
  • Story Text: Homosexuals wearing kimonos, wedding dresses, leather G-strings or just jeans and T-shirts marched through the streets of Tokyo on Sunday (August 28) in Japan's first ever gay rally.

    About 1,500 protesters marched from Shinjuku, home to Japan's thriving underground gay scene, to neighbouring Shibuya, carrying placards denouncing harrassment and proclaiming their homosexuality.

    The ground-breaking rally was the climax of a weekend of events organised by gay groups, particularly lesbians.

    Shinjuku has from 350 to 400 gay hang-outs and is a haven for gay Japanese men, most of whom hide their sexuality at work and from their families.

    Japanese lesbians have fewer opportunities to meet, and their lives are harder -- one reason more women turned up than men.

    The march was aimed to increase awareness in a country where tolerance of homosexuals is the rule -- as long as they stay quiet about their sexuality.

    "People look at us and think we're strange," said one 29-year-old marcher. "Perhaps their way of thinking won't change immediately, but I hope ordinary people will gradually start to accept us."
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