DOCSLIB.ORG

Coming out Experiences of Non-Heterosexuals and Their Families in Japan

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Coming out Experiences of Non-Heterosexuals and Their Families in Japan Title Coming Out Experiences of Non-heterosexuals and their Families in Japan Author(s) 元山, 琴菜 Citation Issue Date Text Version ETD URL https://doi.org/10.18910/56037 DOI 10.18910/56037 rights Note Osaka University Knowledge Archive : OUKA https://ir.library.osaka-u.ac.jp/ Osaka University Coming Out Experiences of Non-heterosexuals and Their Families in Japan: Asserting Normality and Preserving Harmony by Kotona Motoyama B.A. (San Francisco State University) 2009 M.A. (University of Hawaii at Manoa) 2011 A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Human Sciences in the Graduate School of Human Sciences of Osaka University Advisors: Kazue Muta, Primary Daisuke Tsuji Scott North March 2016 ABSTRACT In a heteronormative and homophobic environment, coming out to one’s self and others is a challenging experience for non-heterosexuals. Specifically, coming out to their own families is considerably more difficult because family is seen as a vital part of life. Family members also face difficulties “understanding” and “accepting” the fact that one of their members is a non-heterosexual. The studies of non-heterosexual coming out and the experiences of family members have developed mainly in the field of Western psychoanalysis. Only a few examples exist in Japan. Previous research neglected cultural specificities, but nevertheless predicted that the experiences of non-heterosexuals and their families would differ in different societies with different norms and cultural values. This paper explores how the experiences of non-heterosexuals and their families were affected by Japanese cultural norms of interaction, family and gender. Interviews with 24 non- heterosexuals revealed that they had to deal with “perceived homophobia,” which was created by the expectation of “respectable Japanese selves,” in addition to heteronormativity and homophobia. Interviewing family members in 12 families with non-heterosexual members clarified the character of the struggle over “accepting” and disclosing non-heterosexual members to others as due to the fear of courtesy stigma. This stigma existed in society generally but was even stronger in the more intimate sphere called seken. Seken refers to “human relationships with people one knows,” in which Japanese need to value their sameness with others to preserve harmony and through which they gain the meaning of their existence. Thus, family members emphasized non-heterosexual members being “normal or ordinary [futsuu]” in order to “accept” non-heterosexual members and to manage courtesy stigma. In proclaiming the normality of non-heterosexual members, they recalibrated heteronormativity inside and outside the family. Insisting that having a non-heterosexual member was futsuu was used as a i strategy [“futsuu strategy”] of family preservation. They reconstructed their family including the non-heterosexual member and redefining their family as futsuu. However, this also perpetuated the force of seken and reproduced heteronormativity. In sum, the Western studies and theories were not fully able to explain the case of non- heterosexuals and their families in the Japanese context, because their experiences were highly influenced by cultural norms and values prioritizing others’ feelings regarding Japanese social order to maintain harmony within seken over individual identity and opinions. This study therefore contributes to the universal understanding about non-heterosexuals and their families. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank everyone who is involved with my research. I would like to show my appreciation, especially to those who decided to participate in my interview and shared their experiences. There were some non-heterosexual participants who were still undecided about their sexuality and uncomfortable being in public as members of sexual minorities. Furthermore, there were some participants of family members who were in the middle of struggle and conflicts over “understanding” and “accepting” non-heterosexual members. I was honored to listen to their stories despite the fact that the interview made some respondents recall rough experiences with themselves, families and larger society. Moreover, I appreciate the sexual minority organizations, community and its participants for allowing me to be a participant observer. I also would like to acknowledge the help of my colleagues in constructing stronger argument and their encouragement; especially a former office-mate, Charles Nguyen, in his help on the English translation and advice. Finally, I would like to express my great appreciation to the Primary Advisor, Professor Muta, and the Secondary Advisors, Professor Tsuji and North, who have supported me with precise and critical suggestions. Without their help, I would not have been able to complete my work with confidence. iii LIST OF CONTENTS Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................ iii List of Contents ....................................................................................................................... iv List of Table .......................................................................................................................... viii List of Figure ........................................................................................................................... ix Preface: Is Japan Behind in Human Rights Compared to Western Countries? ................ 1 Research Interests ...................................................................................................................... 1 Outline of This Dissertation ....................................................................................................... 4 Chapter 1. Non-heterosexuals and Their Families in a Heteronormative and Homophobic Society ................................................................................................................ 6 1.1. Three Types of Sexualities: Physical Sexuality, Sexual Identity and Sexual Orientation .. 6 1.1.1. LGBT, Sexual Minorities and Non-heterosexuals ............................................... 7 1.2. History of Oppression against Non-heterosexual in the US and Japan .............................. 8 1.2.1. Gay Liberation in the US: The Stonewall Riot and HIV ..................................... 9 1.2.2. Homosexuality in Japan: Westernization, HIV, “Gay Boom” and OCCUR in the First Court Case ............................................................................................... 11 1.2.3. Homophobia and Heteronormativity ................................................................. 14 1.3. Construction of Homosexual Identity and the Coming Out Process ................................ 16 1.3.1. Western Psychological Perspectives: Cass’s and Coleman’s Models ................ 17 1.3.2. Experiences of Japanese Forms of Homophobia after Gaining Homosexual Identity and Coming Out ................................................................................. 19 1.4. Limitations of Existing Western Theory: The Necessity of Sociologically Looking at How to Negotiate with Heterosexual Others ................................................................... 21 1.5. The Family and Prioritizing the Mother-Child Relationship in Japan .............................. 23 1.6. Families of Non-heterosexual Members After the Coming Out in the US and Japan ...... 27 iv 1.6.1. PFLAG in the US and Families of LGBT in Japan ........................................... 28 1.6.2. Parents’ Reactions to Coming Out in the US ..................................................... 30 1.6.3. Concerns about Stigma after Children’s Disclosure in the US .......................... 31 1.6.4. Becoming the Pound Parents of an LGB Child in the US ................................. 33 1.6.5. Asians and Japanese Parents after the Disclosure .............................................. 34 Chapter 2. Strong Conformist Japanese Cultural Norms and their Effects .................... 37 2.1. “Society” and Seken: Absence of “Self” and the Uses of Harmony in Japan ................... 37 2.1.1. Appropriate Japanese Selves: Prioritizing Others’ Feelings .............................. 41 2.1.2. Air and Seken: Majority Wins ............................................................................ 46 2.2. The Mechanism of Discrimination and Stigmatization in Japan ...................................... 47 2.3. The Purpose of the Study: Why Japan? ............................................................................ 49 2.4. Research Methods: Field Research in Japan ..................................................................... 51 2.4.1. Non-heterosexual Respondents and Participant Observations in Non- heterosexual Communities in Japan, 2010....................................................... 52 2.4.2. Respondents from Families of Non-heterosexual Members and Participant Observation at Families of LGBT Since 2012 ................................................. 55 Chapter 3. Negotiating with “Perceived Homophobia”: 24 Non-heterosexuals’ Coming Out Experiences in Japan ..................................................................................................... 59 3.1. Overcoming Internalized Homophobia and Accepting Social Exclusion ........................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Men and Masculinities in the Changing Japanese Family
    Thesis for Doctor of Philosophy in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies Men and Masculinities in the Changing Japanese Family by Hiroko Umegaki Lucy Cavendish College Submitted November 2017 This dissertation is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies provided by Apollo View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk CORE brought to you by 1 Preface This dissertation is the result of my own work and includes nothing which is the outcome of work done in collaboration except as declared in the Preface and specified in the text. It is not substantially the same as any that I have submitted, or, is being concurrently submitted for a degree or diploma or other qualification at the University of Cambridge or any other University or similar institution except as declared in the Preface and specified in the text. I further state that no substantial part of my dissertation has already been submitted, or, is being concurrently submitted for any such degree, diploma or other qualification at the University of Cambridge or any other University or similar institution except as declared in the Preface and specified in the text. It does not exceed the prescribed word limit of the relevant Degree Committee. 2 Acknowledgments Without her ever knowing, my grandmother provided the initial inspiration for my research: this thesis is dedicated to her. Little did I appreciate at the time where this line of enquiry would lead me, and I would not have stayed on this path were it not for my family, my husband, children, parents and extended family: thank you.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study of •Œgaymersâ•Š and Digital
    University of Rhode Island DigitalCommons@URI Open Access Dissertations 2013 SAVING PRINCE PEACH: A STUDY OF “GAYMERS” AND DIGITAL LGBT/GAMING RHETORICS M. William MacKnight University of Rhode Island, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/oa_diss Recommended Citation MacKnight, M. William, "SAVING PRINCE PEACH: A STUDY OF “GAYMERS” AND DIGITAL LGBT/GAMING RHETORICS" (2013). Open Access Dissertations. Paper 135. https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/oa_diss/135 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@URI. It has been accepted for inclusion in Open Access Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@URI. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SAVING PRINCE PEACH: A STUDY OF “GAYMERS” AND DIGITAL LGBT/GAMING RHETORICS BY M. WILLIAM MACKNIGHT A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ENGLISH (RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION) UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 2013 DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DISSERTATION OF M. WILLIAM MACKNIGHT APPROVED: Dissertation Committee: Major Professor: Libby Miles Mike Pennell Ian Reyes Nasir Zawia DEAN OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 2013 ABSTRACT This study looks at the tensions surrounding the inclusion and increasing presence of LGBT performances within video games, their surrounding industry and culture, and their related internetworked cyberspaces – an assemblage referred to in this research as the “game-sphere.” By analyzing the rhetorical activity performed within a specific LGBT game cyberspace (the Reddit subforum r/gaymers), this study offers insight into gaming and LGBT culture by answering the following research question: What rhetorical action is performed by LGBT video game players within r/gaymers? Data were collected over a period of two weeks, wherein screen-captures were taken and saved twice a day at 10:00 am and pm.
    [Show full text]
  • Japanese Women's Science Fiction: Posthuman Bodies and the Representation of Gender Kazue Harada Washington University in St
    Washington University in St. Louis Washington University Open Scholarship Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations Arts & Sciences Spring 5-15-2015 Japanese Women's Science Fiction: Posthuman Bodies and the Representation of Gender Kazue Harada Washington University in St. Louis Follow this and additional works at: https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/art_sci_etds Part of the East Asian Languages and Societies Commons Recommended Citation Harada, Kazue, "Japanese Women's Science Fiction: Posthuman Bodies and the Representation of Gender" (2015). Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 442. https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/art_sci_etds/442 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Arts & Sciences at Washington University Open Scholarship. It has been accepted for inclusion in Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Washington University Open Scholarship. For more information, please contact [email protected]. WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures Dissertation Examination Committee: Rebecca Copeland, Chair Nancy Berg Ji-Eun Lee Diane Wei Lewis Marvin Marcus Laura Miller Jamie Newhard Japanese Women’s Science Fiction: Posthuman Bodies and the Representation of Gender by Kazue Harada A dissertation presented to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences of Washington University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy May 2015 St. Louis, Missouri © 2015, Kazue Harada
    [Show full text]
  • Homophobia and HIV Transmission: a Six-Country Comparative Analysis
    University of Central Florida STARS HIM 1990-2015 2015 Homophobia and HIV Transmission: A Six-Country Comparative Analysis Tiernan Middleton University of Central Florida Part of the Medicine and Health Sciences Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses1990-2015 University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in HIM 1990-2015 by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Recommended Citation Middleton, Tiernan, "Homophobia and HIV Transmission: A Six-Country Comparative Analysis" (2015). HIM 1990-2015. 1726. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses1990-2015/1726 HOMOPHOBIA AND HIV TRANSMISSION: A SIX-COUNTRY COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS by TIERNAN C. MIDDLETON A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Honors in the Major Program in Biomedical Sciences in the College of Medicine and in the Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Spring Term 2015 Thesis Chairs: Dr. Joanna Mishtal, Dr. Kenneth Teter Abstract This interdisciplinary study combines epidemiological data with anthropological theory to investigate the relationship between HIV transmission rates and systemic homophobia. Previous research has illustrated the link between high levels of structural violence and structural stigma to increased risk of diseases such as the link between African-Americans and heart disease. This study investigates the relationship between systemic homophobia and HIV transmission rates. Through operationalizing homophobia into seven distinct factors, I evaluated systemic homophobia in six countries, assigning a score 1-10 to each factor using secondary source aggregation.
    [Show full text]
  • A World Like Ours: Gay Men in Japanese Novels and Films
    A WORLD LIKE OURS: GAY MEN IN JAPANESE NOVELS AND FILMS, 1989-2007 by Nicholas James Hall A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE AND POSTDOCTORAL STUDIES (Asian Studies) THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Vancouver) December 2013 © Nicholas James Hall, 2013 Abstract This dissertation examines representations of gay men in contemporary Japanese novels and films produced from around the beginning of the 1990s so-called gay boom era to the present day. Although these were produced in Japanese and for the Japanese market, and reflect contemporary Japan’s social, cultural and political milieu, I argue that they not only articulate the concerns and desires of gay men and (other queer people) in Japan, but also that they reflect a transnational global gay culture and identity. The study focuses on the work of current Japanese writers and directors while taking into account a broad, historical view of male-male eroticism in Japan from the Edo era to the present. It addresses such issues as whether there can be said to be a Japanese gay identity; the circulation of gay culture across international borders in the modern period; and issues of representation of gay men in mainstream popular culture products. As has been pointed out by various scholars, many mainstream Japanese representations of LGBT people are troubling, whether because they represent “tourism”—they are made for straight audiences whose pleasure comes from being titillated by watching the exotic Others portrayed in them—or because they are made by and for a female audience and have little connection with the lives and experiences of real gay men, or because they circulate outside Japan and are taken as realistic representations by non-Japanese audiences.
    [Show full text]
  • No Time and No Place in Japan's Queer Popular Culture
    NO TIME AND NO PLACE IN JAPAN’S QUEER POPULAR CULTURE BY JULIAN GABRIEL PAHRE THESIS Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in East Asian Studies in the Graduate College of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2017 Urbana, Illinois Adviser: Professor Robert Tierney ABSTRACT With interest in genres like BL (Boys’ Love) and the presence of LGBT characters in popular series continuing to soar to new heights in Japan and abroad, the question of the presence, or lack thereof, of queer narratives in these texts and their responses has remained potent in studies on contemporary Japanese visual culture. In hopes of addressing this issue, my thesis queries these queer narratives in popular Japanese culture through examining works which, although lying distinctly outside of the genre of BL, nonetheless exhibit queer themes. Through examining a pair of popular series which have received numerous adaptations, One Punch Man and No. 6, I examine the works both in terms of their content, place and response in order to provide a larger portrait or mapping of their queer potentiality. I argue that the out of time and out of place-ness present in these texts, both of which have post-apocalyptic settings, acts as a vehicle for queer narratives in Japanese popular culture. Additionally, I argue that queerness present in fanworks similarly benefits from this out of place and time-ness, both within the work as post-apocalyptic and outside of it as having multiple adaptations or canons. I conclude by offering a cautious tethering towards the future potentiality for queer works in Japanese popular culture by examining recent trends among queer anime and manga towards moving towards an international stage.
    [Show full text]
  • Homosexuality and Manliness in Postwar Japan
    Homosexuality and Manliness in Postwar Japan Japan’s first professionally produced, commercially marketed and nationally distributed gay lifestyle magazine, Barazoku (‘The Rose Tribes’), was launched in 1971. Publicly declaring the beauty and normality of homosexual desire, Barazoku electrified the male homosexual world whilst scandalizing mainstream society, and sparked a vibrant period of activity that saw the establishment of an enduring Japanese media form, the homo magazine. Using a detailed account of the formative years of the homo magazine genre in the 1970s as the basis for a wider history of men, this book examines the rela- tionship between male homosexuality and conceptions of manliness in postwar Japan. The book charts the development of notions of masculinity and homo- sexual identity across the postwar period, analysing key issues including public/ private homosexualities, inter-racial desire, male–male sex, love and friendship; the masculine body; and manly identity. The book investigates the phenomenon of ‘manly homosexuality’, little treated in both masculinity and gay studies on Japan, arguing that desires and individual narratives were constructed within (and not necessarily outside of) the dominant narratives of the nation, manliness and Japanese culture. Overall, this book offers a wide-ranging appraisal of homosexuality and manliness in postwar Japan, that provokes insights into conceptions of Japanese masculinity in general. Jonathan D. Mackintosh is Lecturer in Japanese Studies at Birkbeck, University of London,
    [Show full text]
  • Between Boys: Fantasy of Male Homosexuality in Boys' Love, Mary Renault, and Marguerite Yourcenar by Jui-An Chou Graduate Pr
    Between Boys: Fantasy of Male Homosexuality in Boys’ Love, Mary Renault, and Marguerite Yourcenar by Jui-an Chou Graduate Program in Literature Duke University Date:_______________________ Approved: ___________________________ Anne F. Garréta, Supervisor, Chair ___________________________ Robyn Wiegman, Co-Chair ___________________________ Rey Chow ___________________________ Anne Allison Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate Program in Literature in the Graduate School of Duke University 2018 ABSTRACT Between Boys: Fantasy of Male Homosexuality in Boys’ Love, Mary Renault, and Marguerite Yourcenar by Jui-an Chou Graduate Program in Literature Duke University Date:_______________________ Approved: ___________________________ Anne F. Garréta, Supervisor, Chair ___________________________ Robyn Wiegman, Co-Chair ___________________________ Rey Chow ___________________________ Anne Allison An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate Program in Literature in the Graduate School of Duke University 2018 Copyright by Jui-an Chou 2018 Abstract “Between Boys: Fantasy of Male Homosexuality in Boys’ Love, Mary Renault, and Marguerite Yourcenar” examines an unexpected kinship between Boys’ Love, a Japanese male-on-male romance genre, and literary works by Mary Renault and Marguerite Yourcenar, two mid-twentieth century authors who wrote about male homosexuality. Following Eve Sedgwick, who proposed that a “rich tradition of cross- gender inventions of homosexuality” should be studied separately from gay and lesbian literature, this dissertation examines male homoerotic fictions authored by women. These fictions foreground a disjunction between authorial and textual identities in gender and sexuality, and they have often been accused of inauthenticity, appropriation, and exploitation.
    [Show full text]
  • The Politics of Difference and Authenticity in the Practice of Okinawan Dance and Music in Osaka, Japan
    The Politics of Difference and Authenticity in the Practice of Okinawan Dance and Music in Osaka, Japan by Sumi Cho A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Anthropology) in the University of Michigan 2014 Doctoral Committee: Professor Jennifer E. Robertson, Chair Professor Kelly Askew Professor Gillian Feeley-Harnik Professor Markus Nornes © Sumi Cho All rights reserved 2014 For My Family ii Acknowledgments First of all, I would like to thank my advisor and dissertation chair, Professor Jennifer Robertson for her guidance, patience, and feedback throughout my long years as a PhD student. Her firm but caring guidance led me through hard times, and made this project see its completion. Her knowledge, professionalism, devotion, and insights have always been inspirations for me, which I hope I can emulate in my own work and teaching in the future. I also would like to thank Professors Gillian Feeley-Harnik and Kelly Askew for their academic and personal support for many years; they understood my challenges in creating a balance between family and work, and shared many insights from their firsthand experiences. I also thank Gillian for her constant and detailed writing advice through several semesters in her ethnolab workshop. I also am grateful to Professor Abé Markus Nornes for insightful comments and warm encouragement during my writing process. I appreciate teaching from professors Bruce Mannheim, the late Fernando Coronil, Damani Partridge, Gayle Rubin, Miriam Ticktin, Tom Trautmann, and Russell Bernard during my coursework period, which helped my research project to take shape in various ways.
    [Show full text]
  • Boys Love Comics As a Representation of Homosexuality in Japan
    Háskóli Íslands Hugvísindasvið Japanskt mál og menning Boys love Comics as a Representation of Homosexuality in Japan Ritgerð til BA-prófs í japönsku máli og menningu Brynhildur Mörk Herbertsdóttir Kt.: 190994-2019 Leiðbeinandi: Gunnella Þorgeirsdóttir Maí 2018 1 Abstract This thesis will focus on a genre of manga and anime called boys love, and compare it to the history of homosexuality in Japan and the homosexual culture in modern Japanese society. The boys love genre itself will be closely examined to find out which tropes are prevalent and why, as well as what its main demographic is. The thesis will then describe the long history of homosexuality in Japan and the similarities that are found between the traditions of the past and the tropes used in today’s boys love. Lastly, the modern homosexual culture in Japan will be examined, to again compare and contrast it to boys love. 2 Table of Contents Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 4 Boys love: History, tropes, and common controversies ....................................................................... 6 Stylistic appearance and Seme Uke in boys love ............................................................................ 8 Boys love Readers‘ Demography .................................................................................................... 9 History of male homosexual relationships in Japan and the modern boys love genre ...................... 12
    [Show full text]
  • Japan's Original Gay Boom
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Research Online University of Wollongong Research Online Faculty of Arts - Papers (Archive) Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities October 2006 Japan’s Original Gay Boom Mark J. McLelland University of Wollongong, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.uow.edu.au/artspapers Part of the Arts and Humanities Commons, and the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons Recommended Citation McLelland, Mark J., Japan’s Original Gay Boom 2006. https://ro.uow.edu.au/artspapers/145 Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library: [email protected] Japan's Original "Gay Boom" Introduction In recent years, the internationalization of gay, lesbian and transgender identities and cultures has been the focus of at times heated debate in both popular and academic contexts. 1 Some have taken the development of lesbian and gay media, particularly literature and film, as well as characteristically western modes of activism and visibility such as LGBTQ organizations, film festivals and parades in societies as diverse as Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan, to be evidence of a "global queering" (Altman 2001: 86-100). As Dennis Altman points out, "globalization has helped create an international gay/lesbian identity, which is by no means confined to the western world" (2001: 86). This interpretation, drawing on globalization studies' paradigms, understands
    [Show full text]
  • Gay Glossary Laws Against Homosexual Activity, and Has Some Legal Protections for Gay Individuals
    lgbt Overview The concept of homosexuality in Japan isn’t a new concept. Much like the Ancient Greeks, same sex (specifically male-male) relationships in ancient Japan were considered a higher form of love. In modern times, Japan has no gay glossary laws against homosexual activity, and has some legal protections for gay individuals. In addition, there are some legal protections for transgender ゲイ individuals. (gei ) gay In the kind of environment where being gay is not considered 100% 'real,' it is natural that many LGBT people do get married. Like most of Asia, Japan is a ホモ, ホモセクシュアル highly conformist society, and refusing to marry is a mark of egregious (homo or homosekushuaru) nonconformity and may even prevent you from advancing in your career. homosexual Being openly gay in Japan only rubs the fact of this nonconformity in, making for an environment where gay & lesbian Japanese people rarely venture out レズ, レズビアン of the closet - at least before night falls. (rezu or rezubian) lesbian But the good news is that you are a foreigner! Foreigners are already “weird” and “different,” so you’re not necessarily expected to be normal according to 同性愛者 Japanese social norms. It has also been said that being gay is a foreign (dōseiaisha) problem (akin to how much of the crime in Japan is blamed on foreigners) but lit. same-sex-loving person don’t worry, the perceptions of the LGBT community are changing for the better. More and more, gay characters are on variety shows, written into ニューハーフ plots, in popular culture, and even in political office.
    [Show full text]