Fukuoka begins recognizing LGBT partnerships

LGBT couples need to make a reservation to receive the proof. Five other couples have made their reservations as of Monday, according to the municipal government.

The process should be the same as for heterosexual couples! No questions asked, and no "oaths" needed.

It's discriminatory to have LGBT couples submit an oath, and not heterosexual one's!

Well, it's a first step ! Congrats !

@Yubaru. I am in favor of gay marriage. However I think they should submit an oath or at least do something formal to receive the same benefits as married couples need to formally declare marriage.

I have always thought society would be better off if gay people are allowed to marry. I have several gay friends in California (married couples) and I think society is much better off that they are afforded the right to marry. They experience the same joys and frustrations as any other couple but are committed to support each other in good times and bad which makes society better.

@Yubaru. I am in favor of gay marriage. However I think they should submit an oath or at least do something formal to receive the same benefits as married couples need to formally declare marriage.

What about when a gay man and a lesbian woman marry in order to satisfy society or their parents. Should they be denied benefits? And how will we know when this happens if we don't make them sign an oath swearing they are heterosexual?

Excellent!

Until the Govt. does something about the law, same sex couples can't legally marry. So slowly, one by one, wards and cities and prefectures are making the decision that the govt. should make, and trying to ensure social equality for same sex couples.

A commitment oath is the equivalent of wedding vows, no?

A step in the right direction.

Strangerland - I think they could probably use the existing mechanism to get married (as you implied) and no one will know the difference. As for the gay couple the obvious first choice is to allow them to marry in the same way a heterosexual couple would. However lacking that I think they should make some formal commitment to each other (that would obviously imply they are homosexual). And no, if two people commit to take care of each other benefits should not be denied.

I would imagine the questions on this could be endless.....

cosmopolitan Fukuoka.

@Yubaru, Tokyo-Engr

I think your thinking a little too much about it. It seems the word "oath" here is just meant as "contract", just like a marriage contract.

Also, as far as I understand, it's not only for LGBT people. Anyone, straight or gay, can get one. So no discrimination.

As another example, France had the Civil Solidarity Pact. A contract giving the same rights as marriage, accessible to anyone, and it paved the way for marriage equality.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_solidarity_pact

The city government of Fukuoka began recognizing on Monday partnerships of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples, adding to nationwide efforts to eliminate discrimination against sexual minorities.

What's a 'bisexual' couple? You're either in a hetero/homosexual relationship but how can one be the member of a 'bisexual couple'? Identifying as bisexual implies you're having sexual relationships with (or are attracted to) other ppl (from the other or your own gender) i.e. it's not only about your current partner, so it's not really a 'couple thing' as such.

But such couples will be treated as equivalent to those that are married when they rent city-run housing or receive medical treatment at municipal hospitals.

Which is great. I reckon that many countries (not only Japan) still over complicate things when it comes to relationships (with a ss partner or not). Simplified de facto relationship models (with whomever you want/choose) are imo the best. No one should feel pressured to get married (for social, economical or moral/religious reasons).

I have been told that almost all such married couples in Fukuoka are 2 women rather than 2 men. I am guessing that families and the public are less welcoming of 2 men getting married, though maybe there are other reasons.

@Bintaro...right...oath is not the right word. Some type of formal commitment (and in turn recognition from the govt.) is what I am thinking of

Also, as far as I understand, it's not only for LGBT people.

Got it wrong : "If one or both or two person belong to a sexual minority".

From Fukuoka city's website.

"If one or both of two person belong to a sexual minority".

Good for Japan.

While the usual naysayers never have anything good to say about these things, I am happy and proud that change is happening step by step. Japan has certainly done more to address this in the past few years than many other places.

Kudos!

With sexuality being a fluid concept in the world today then what is the point of any oath?

What's a 'bisexual' couple? You're either in a hetero/homosexual relationship but how can one be the member of a 'bisexual couple'? Identifying as bisexual implies you're having sexual relationships with (or are attracted to) other ppl (from the other or your own gender) i.e. it's not only about your current partner, so it's not really a 'couple thing' as such.

Well, it's like this. Both partners can be bisexual or one can be. Because one or both identifies as being bisexual doesn't mean they're constantly on heat, running around getting it on at every opportunity.

Monogamy works for some, whether they identify as straight, gay or bi.

The proof does not entail legal rights or obligations like marriage under the civil law. But such couples will be treated as equivalent to those that are married when they rent city-run housing or receive medical treatment at municipal hospitals.

It's better than nothing. But, until they can simply get married, and enjoy the rights and privileges of married couples, such as national tax, insurance, retirement, inheritance, health, education, etc, it's really not that big of a deal, as it stands now.

@ Th, but don't you think being bisexual is irrelevant here? If I am in a homo / heterosexual relationship who needs to know whether am also attracted to women /men or not (or have been)? Totally irrelevant.

Sick of this.

If two folk love and wanna be with each other then whose business is it what sexual orientation they are?

make it all legally binding for the sake of insurance, wills and what have you.

Just butt out of what people do in private.

think your thinking a little too much about it. It seems the word "oath" here is just meant as "contract", just like a marriage contract.*

No, in Tokyo the LGBT couple has to get the paperwork notarized prior to it being registered, THAT is discriminatory, as regular marriage registration has no such requirement. They are being forced to prove that they are truly a "couple".

The same paperwork used for heterosexual couples must be used for LGBT couples as well, then I will be saying it's not discriminatory.

@Goldorak

I'm bisexual, and I'm still bisexual when I'm in a relationship. I reserve the right to identify as any sexuality, whether I'm in a relationship or not. When I'm in a relationship, I'm in a bisexual relationship because I always have the capacity to fall in love with someone of either sex/gender. That doesn't change.

I'm always bisexual and I don't want people to call me heterosexual when I'm with a man and homosexual when I'm with a woman. It's annoying and only I can decide that.

Fukuoka (wherever it is) receives negative points. Um, Naruhodo... Sasugaaa~.

If I am in a homo / heterosexual relationship who needs to know whether am also attracted to women /men or not (or have been)? Totally irrelevant.

If you're attracted to one or both genders, it's part of who you are. It doesn't define every aspect of your life and sure, I wish it was irrelevant but people still like to label.

If I had to label myself if questioned (by some impertinent person), on my sexuality, I'd always reply Toasted Hereticasexual...

;-)

Fukuoka (wherever it is) receives negative points. 

You are commenting in JapanToday and you seriously don't know where Fukuoka is?

@jonorth,

Good post, don't disagree with anything you wrote.

I still think ppl, in this case bisexual, should not be forced to identify as 'bisexual' if they don't want to. I believe in ppl's right NOT to share/disclose such information. A govt/city hall asking an hetero/homosexual if he/she also is bisexual is imo unnecessary (invasion of privacy). (have absolutely no problem with ppl like you who want to share such info though)

"The proof does not entail legal rights or obligations like marriage under the civil law."

Ah, lip-service! Look like you're doing something.

You are right, "goldorak". All they should ask is their gender, whether they are male or female.

As I am living in Fukuoka and that's a great progress to all LGBT I am not against. Some people want to determine which gender will be? Future International law could be males, females + LGBT one of them, aren't they?

What's a 'bisexual' couple? You're either in a hetero/homosexual relationship but how can one be the member of a 'bisexual couple'? 

IIthought exactly the same when I read it. Unless we are allowed polygamous or polyandrus marriages, the concept is meaningless.

Although if you are that way inclined, perhaps you would be happy with a hermaphrodite.

It's something. I hope Japan joins the growing number of countries in allowing marriage equality soon.

@Goldorak

Sorry if I came across a bit harsh, but I do agree with what you are saying. People should be able do disclose what they want to, and yes, in this case actual sexuality isn't per se necessary, but to some people it does matter.

Can LBGT people get Divorced too ?

Yes. If the apparatus is in place for same sex marriages, it therefore means just like hetero folk, if the marriage breaks down they can file for divorce.

Some unpleasant news on the plight of LGBT people in Chechnya, meanwhile

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43658689

This is the logical outcome when gay people are demonised, called un-natural, promised eternal damnation and so forth.