Tokyo’s LGBT parade will take place on Sunday, April 27 this year. Here’s information about the parade, and also about Rainbow Week, which extends across the public holiday. See you in Yoyogi park!
The mascot is a flying squirrel that lives in Shinjuku named Tobe. The name combines the Japanese word “fly” (飛ぶ) and the English word “to be” signifying personal expression.
Check out this adorable Duke student in dangerously high heels. And donate.
It’s amazing that this video was show at the Democratic National Convention, and viewed by millions on television. I’ve never been excited about voting in a national election before.
I don’t think I ever expected a US president to say these words. It seems the arc of politics is bending towards equality.
A beautiful short movie by Boo Junfeng rallies support for Singapore’s Pink Dot rally on June 18. It is illegal to hold a political gathering in Singapore, and yet this emerging LGBT movement has skirted that by claiming it’s a color-coordinated picnic.
Economic development and personal achievement are not adequate compensation for not being able to speak freely or organize with others. There are many times in Japan when the “absence of visible gayness” provides daily advantages: straight men are not threatened by something that neither exists nor contaminates, no religious nuts are yelling about damnation, gender expression seems much wider than in the West.
Yet living in hiding corrodes the spirit & ultimately limits everyone’s freedom. I am glad to see gay rights in Asia become a human rights issue that benefits everyone.
If you have a US residence or citizenship, please consider contacting your Congressional Representative and Senators to request LGBT inclusion in Obama’s Inaugural parade. Our friend Davey A created the website, and it’s very simple and important. Please use the site to send your letter this week. And let your friends know, too.
Update: The Obama transition team has announced that an LGBT marching band will appear in the inaugural parade. Thank you to everyone who contacted the parade committee.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/09/gay-band-to-march-in-inauguration-parade/
Tokyo Moe 