Akie Abe joins gay parade

Thaddagirl!

I wish she was PM instead of her husband.

Support for "sexual minorities"? I think whoever came up with that does not know how many there are. It does not stop at homosexuals and bisexuals, and transgender does not quite fit the term.

I think it would have been much more accurate to say Mrs. Abe supports the LGBT community, as her stance on bestialists and necrophiliacs could not be guessed by her visit to a Rainbow Pride parade.

I was there and didn't see her. Where was she? Not that I would have known who she was anyway.

Nice to see the first lady supporting the LGBT community.

Support for "sexual minorities"? I think whoever came up with that does not know how many there are. It does not stop at homosexuals and bisexuals, and transgender does not quite fit the term.

I think it would have been much more accurate to say Mrs. Abe supports the LGBT community, as her stance on bestialists and necrophiliacs could not be guessed by her visit to a Rainbow Pride parade.

Rule of the internet - it doesn't matter what the subject is, there will always be someone who will find something wrong with it.

Her husband spent the day in northern Japan meeting residents of communities badly damaged by a deadly tsunami in March 2011.

Yeah, you know how he did that? By driving around in a overly luxurious renovated train that noone needs nor can afford in that region. I agree with what is said above, his wife seems more capable of being a PM than him.

Good for her.

A shining example to the haters.

Rule of the internet - it doesn't matter what the subject is, there will always be someone who will find something wrong with it.

If you are going to explain why all sexual minorities are represented by the LGBT community, I am all ears. I think it was quite the over-statement. There are sexual minorities the LGBT community do not support you know.

Sir_EdgarApr. 28, 2014 - 07:18AM JST I wish she was PM instead of her husband.

Sir, you took the words right out of my mouth!

And when is the parade held for those who are not gay, those who want to show off flamboyantly about there non homo sexual preference, those who need to be the centre of attention for being straight, and seek approval of their sexual choices, and are proud of that !!

Or will they be discriminated against

Be gay if you want , can not understand why you feel the need to show it off and flaunt it at everyone! The rest of us don't really care that you are gay.

I think a lot of people here are missing the point. I think the term "sexual minorities" was used because Japan is still extremely conservative in this regard. Look at the Japanese media - we all know how they handle LGBT issues (hint: they don't).

The first lady being there is at least a small step towards changing the perception (and eventually gaining acknowledgement) of te LGBT community. I'm a straight male myself, but I come from a country that is in the early stages of pushig foward marriage equality through the legal system.

It will happen in Japan... One day...!

Akie-san for PM !

Japan’s first lady Akie Abe joined the annual gay parade in Tokyo Sunday to show her support"

the "drag queen"one on the left looks like half black and and half JN with rasta hair, from the post bubble era?....can assume the "drag queen" a quatro minority.

I WANT to help build a JN society where anyone can conduct happy, enriched lives without facing discrimination... well she definately told it on the symbolic mountain...in the sight of the most high ...hmmmm

Yo go girl! Ooooweeee

And when is the parade held for those who are not gay, those who want to show off flamboyantly about there non homo sexual preference, those who need to be the centre of attention for being straight, and seek approval of their sexual choices, and are proud of that !!

The difference is that if you are not a minority, you are not being discriminated against. While it's called 'gay pride', the purpose is to bring it to a state where people don't feel the need to discriminate against it.

Be gay if you want , can not understand why you feel the need to show it off and flaunt it at everyone! The rest of us don't really care that you are gay.

Then don't watch the parade, no one is forcing you to.

Can we have her as PM instead?

Stangerland, sorry, but you have failed to explain how an LGBT event is inclusive of all sexual minorities, such as fetishists, swingers, polygamists, polyamorists, BDSM practicioners, bestialists, MAPs and other assorted chronophiliacs.

Even many in the LGBT community want the public to draw a clear distinction between those other sexual minorities. The wiki on sexual minorities states:

Some LGBT people object to using the term sexual minorities in relation to them, and prefer the term LGBT. ....Some other LGBT people dislike the term for being too inclusive, including swingers, polyamorists, BDSM people and other perceived "sexual strangers". These LGBT people want to make a larger distance between these sexual practices and bisexuality/homosexuality/transgender.

And if you think its only the LGBTs being discriminated against, I think you have another thing coming.

Good on her -- a much better leader than her husband is or could ever be.

@crimson

i totally agree that "sexual minority" is not the proper term here. AFP aren't exactly known for the quality of their writing. The most appropriate term here would be LGBT or LGBTQ.

Stangerland, sorry, but you have failed to explain how an LGBT event is inclusive of all sexual minorities, such as fetishists, swingers, polygamists, polyamorists, BDSM practicioners, bestialists, MAPs and other assorted chronophiliacs.

You have failed to show that I was making such a claim in the first place.

Darn, I was in Shibuya yesterday. Sorry I missed the parade.

She used to be a disc jocley in Shimonosek in Yamaguchi Prefecture. So, she knows how to handle nosy Japanese media. School? Just like any rich Tokyo family girls, she went Seishin, Empress graduated there, She has her own political party, Domestic Opposition Party. She might do better than her husband if she forms with all sort of women join, Money to create a party? Her familly owns Morinaga. No problem. Then not only women but any minorities. Unlike many Japanese, she is a fun of Korean soap operas and Korean stars. So, maybe discriminated Korean Japanese people may join. She probably do better her husband/

Good on her, but I think if she's really sincere in trying to reduce discrimination in Japan, she'll have to step up her game big time starting with the LGBT community.

I totally agree with you, StormR. There is really no need for one to come out as gay or straight. It is a choice we make individually. I would not hate you for knowing you are gay/lesbian. But for God's sake I want to breathe: this coming out thing!

You have failed to show that I was making such a claim in the first place.

Well your first post pretty much jumped in an accused me of simply being a contrarian. What other conclusion can be drawn from your first post but that you disagreed with my statement or found it totally irrelevant? Its not my fault you are not clarifying that first post. If you want to withdraw the statement, or admit it did not apply to me, please do so now.

Well your first post pretty much jumped in an accused me of simply being a contrarian.

Not 'pretty much'. I was saying it quite directly.

What other conclusion can be drawn from your first post but that you disagreed with my statement or found it totally irrelevant?

No 'conclusion' needs to be drawn, I quite clearly said exactly what I meant.

If you want to withdraw the statement, or admit it did not apply to me, please do so now.

Why would I do that? I meant what I said.

She's better at this politics thing than her hubby is.

Readers, please stop bickering. Focus your comments on the story and not at each other.

@Sir_Edgar

I wish she was PM instead of her husband.

I was also just trying to echo your words but you get "+12" but I get "-2"... Some strange "posters" on these threads... As for the "gay" part I always say : "Live and let live" but what impresses me much more is that Akie-san is "anti-nuclear" and shows much more character than her husband...

Wow, this is actually great!

toshiko: "Unlike many Japanese, she is a fun of Korean soap operas and Korean stars."

On the contrary, MANY Japanese are fans of Korean soap operas and stars; just look at the fact that said dramas outsell domestic videos at places like Tsutaya, and how popular K-pop bands are.

In any case, I agree with you that she would do a better job than her husband. She represents the people, clearly, in many facets, while her husband simply caters to fringe lunatics and big business.

Just tell us what you agree with and disagree with in my first statement

I simply pointed out a fact of the internet.

"sexual minorities"... a bit non-PC right? It should be, "the LGBT Community".

Leaders should lead!!!...I support the human spirit, I will leave the rest to the geniuses of this new world. and live and let live...

It is easy to say sexual minority in Japanese than each of LGBT translated into Japanese as Abe joined parade in Japan.

Shes a great foil to her husband and the perfect first lady for a man like Abe. She could have been a traditional Japanese woman, quiet and humble, but the fact that she is so left-leaning and progressive is an asset for her husband and the nation.

I think of her more as a collaborator MGigante. She makes it harder to get this nationalist out of office before he starts a war and tarnishes Japan's int'l reputation further.

I don't know why I get the feeling that she just likes to do things to annoy her husband. There's just this vibe between the two that's a bit kooky.

It's good to see her participating in these kinds of events, but I, like other posters, have always wondered why you need to proclaim you are gay. Is it some kind if attention seeking ploy? The gay community is always on about the prejudices they face, but by proclaiming their gayness they are actually being prejudice to those who are straight. I'm sure that not all gay people are like this, but from the few I have met it seems they always make a point of telling me in the first few minutes of conversation. My reply is always the same, "So what! Do you want a medal?"

@Crimson and Clover

Please tell me where Tokyo Rainbow Pride says it is LGBT exclusive? There's nothing wrong with using the term sexual minority in this case. TRP is not just for "the gays"

I think the term "sexual minorities" was used because Japan is still extremely conservative in this regard.

It's used because it's factually accurate and if you say LGBT you get lambasted for leaving off some sub-sub-sub sexual minority. Are LGBTETC sexual majorities? No. By definition, that makes them sexual minorities. Nothing to see here. Move on to the next fabricated controversy.

I love and respect the idea that Ms Abe and her husband can have diameterically opposed opinions and still have a successful marriage.

This is a wonderful example of a person using their fame and freedom of speech for good.

The rest of us don't really care that you are gay.

Well said ! And it was utterly idiotic for wife of PM to take part in that infamous street show.

More propaganda by the LDP string holders. Amazing how easily the sheep are penned in.

The rest of us don't really care that you are gay.

I second that

Why is disagreement with the perversion people no longer allowed? When they got "accepted" did freedom of speech die? Nobody likes being bullied by crazy people just because of their opinion is traditional.

The rest of us don't really care that you are gay.

If that were true, we would not have people calling them 'perversion people' or some such.

When they got "accepted" did freedom of speech die?

This is an example of freedom of speech living, not dying. Say whatever you want, but then do the courtesy of allowing others to disagree with you, as well.

Live and let live.

I am not gay and i go with my family to gay pride in SF every year just because it is fun to go to.

If that were true, we would not have people calling them 'perversion people' or some such.

If the homo's need to parade it around, then they should expect such responses and live with it. The fact that you Slumdog need to defend them for the sexual parade is weird.

Please tell me where Tokyo Rainbow Pride says it is LGBT exclusive? There's nothing wrong with using the term sexual minority in this case. TRP is not just for "the gays"

Its theme/core is LGBT. Here:

http://www.nighttours.com/tokyo/gayguide/tokyo-rainbow-pride.html

The parade celebrates the diversity of the LGBT community and raises awareness of issues facing LGBT people in Japan.

Here is an English page from the Tokyo Rainbow Parade: http://en.tokyorainbowpride.com/

LGBT is written all over it. Nowhere did I read about bestialists, bondage practiioners or pedophiles. Nor did I read about them being "excluded". Tell you what. Since I cannot prove a negative you tell me where it is written that the parade is about anything other than LGBT.

Until you do that, no one has any business presuming attendies support any other sexual minorities besides LGBT.

First it was gays and lesbians. Now LGBT and LGBTQ? I keep having to look up what it means. What about LGBTGP ? P for poly as in the three lesbians who got married? This is going to take up half the alphabet soon.

I just wish they didn't hijack the rainbow.

(probably get 100 minus votes for this post....)

+1 peacetrain for comedy.

Good for her. Now if she'd just speak out against all the xenophobic crap going on in the country.

I like Akie! Is there any way to make her PM and send her husband to the kitchen?

Are there separated community for LGBT people in Japan? Ms Abe included LGBT hiding in any community? Her Domestic used in Domestic Opposition Party might mean entire Japan. She is showing that Japanese female can have freedom of speech regardless of their husbands' political/social status. .

I don't think it's a choice you make it is just who you are, born this way if I may say so. It's not like you wake up one day and say:"That's it, I'm gay now! Because I chose it"

Well..... Kakukakushikajika, so you helped me make my point: If one is "born this way" as gay, what makes him/her so special from the other "born that way" as straight and hence the need to constantly remind the world??

I saw this on the news in my country, good for her!!!

BTW, the sign said "Rainbow parade" I didn't see other which said "Gay Parade"

but I, like other posters, have always wondered why you need to proclaim you are gay. Is it some kind if attention seeking ploy?

Many straight people like you don't seem to realize that EVERYDAY is a straight day parade! When you walk with your opposite sex partner arm in arm, give them a kiss in public, put your family's photo on your desk etc etc you are proclaiming to the rest of the world that you are heterosexual.

Why is it sooo offensive to you that gay people want to proclaim their gayness too?

Many straight people like you don't seem to realize that EVERYDAY is a straight day parade!

Most of us just see the behaviour you describe as normal, you seem to see normal behaviour as some kind of parade which it is not.

Some people don't like gay people or gayness, why is it so hard for you to understand people have the right and freedom to like or dislike something, it does not make them bad for crying out loud.

Lucky for the both of you Sue and Storm, the J-peeps are mostly deathly afraid of holding hands and mortified of kissing in public whether gay or straight. Equal-opportunity shame and humiliation.

Phase 1: Husband attends Sochi Olympics Opening Ceremony

Phase 2: Wife attends Tokyo Rainbow Pride Parade

Phase 3: ?

Phase 4: Profit

Seems like a gay forum here today, well gay also means HAPPY!!

@LowlyAPR. 29, 2014 - 12:20AM JST Lucky for the both of you Sue and Storm, the J-peeps are mostly deathly afraid of holding hands and mortified of kissing in public whether gay or straight. Equal-opportunity shame and humiliation.

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Japan has old old laws created between 1945 and 1949. Is kissing, and hugging in public not illegal now?

Japan has gone backwards.