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© KYODOLGBTQ safe space opens in Osaka
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Chabbawanga
Everyone needs a place to feel safe.
Michael Machida
Why do you think there is a need for a safe place? Besides, there is only one judge.
TokyoJoe
Safe space from what?
Nobody cares what you do in your bedroom as long as it's with consenting adults.
diagonalslip
not against this, but I think lots and lots of un-labelled people "feel isolated amid the coronavirus pandemic" and ETC too....
was in Shinjuku 2-chōme recently, at night, and I detected no anxiety among the people hanging out in front of bars, clubs, cafés... or anywhere.... and as a male in a frock, I have never felt any animosity or ridicule or any other negative thing anywhere in Japan. (get a lot of positive response in fact, mainly from women.... go figure).
at an onsen in Tōkyō, the woman at the front desk asked me "men's or women's?". I laughed and said "men's of course, don't worry", she just said "no... no problem, whichever". (not that I would dream of going in the women's side!). and on the men's side, no-one bats an eyelid....
seems to me that if people can't feel "able to be their true selves" in the world, then they end up in a sort of social ghetto, just as isolated. way I look at it, if I'm at ease with myself (and I am) then other people will be at ease too. I think this is a truism not confined to the "sexual minorities" thing....
master
Who funds this group?
Rodney
there are women only carriages on some train lines. Also sentos.
Rodney
Good point is that Japan is slowly entering the 21st century.
Sheikh Yerboaby
Diagonalslip, it's great that you feel confident to be who you are and it's refreshing to hear that you can live your life at ease. Sadly there are people who do feel threatened by people perceived as outside the norm and the way they manifest that is unsocial behaviour towards said person. Of course all colours and creeds will be feeling isolated during corona, however most of these people will have a social support network in place. I'm sure the people who hang out in 2-chome regularly do so because it's a type of safe space. They can relax and be themselves more, more so than when they are at their office, factory, teaching etc etc job 9-5. Not all cities around Japan will have such a large area where LGBTQ people can feel safe, so any place that opens up is a positive in my book.
It makes me laugh that in a country that practically invented cosplay, that has cafes staffed by young maids, places where all manner of sexual urges can be catered for if you are straight, that some people will rail against other people being themselves and/or feeling safe from attack simply because they are dressing up as the opposite sex. If they aren't hurting anyone, what do you care what others do?
live and let live.
itsonlyrocknroll
Safe space?
Why not simplify, and define as a drop in center.
Safe space, could be associated with corrosive aspects of societies collective ideological need to focus on identity politics
Safe space implies that wandering outside is a risk to one health and welfare.
It that really the case?
Fighto!
Sorry, not convinced at all that an onsen was willing to allow a biological male customer into the female baths.
Garthgoyle
Ah I remember the good old days, when I could make a gay joke to my gay friends and they would reciprocate with a joke meant to tease a straight person. And we all laughed, no one got offended and everyone was happy. Or when we could just go to a gay club or bar to pick on whatever each of us were into, and party like animals, like normal people, without the need to label ourselves under a specific "community." Specially not under that messy acronym, which by the way is not a word, LGBT plus whatever letters they keep adding to coz, "we need to make everybody feel that they belong."
Good all days, man. Good old days.
Anyway, good that people going thru difficulties have a place where they can go and get the support they need.
diagonalslip
I did preface my comment with "not against this".... but nothing will change if anyone who feels nervous, sequesters themselves, my view. not saying it's easy, but life is not easy for all sorts of people. also, it's not just about men in women's clothing, I imagine that's a small proportion of the LGBT... whatever it is, 'community'.
yes, agreed re: 2-chōme, first time for me actually, to meet someone who works there... not at all my 'territory'....
Yotomaya
A lot of comments and under this type of article show that that's far from true.
diagonalslip
Fighto!Today 09:21 am JST
Sorry, not convinced at all that an onsen was willing to allow a biological male customer into the female baths.
what? you thought I made that up? dear oh dear!
KuroTokage
I hope it's not my taxes going towards it.
Next time choose wisely.
ExtraPat
Happy to read this positive news.
Amazing to see how many people here are Gaslighting experts on the LGBTQ+ situation in Japan, without research or experience.
stormcrow
Live and let live. As long as they’re not hurting anybody, they can do what they like.
snowymountainhell
“anyone can visit” - GREAT for the entire community! - Now, if a minor (under 18) or young LGBTQ+ adult finds themselves with an unexpected and/or unwanted pregnancy, will they be assisted and/or referred to a ‘safe space’ to deliver the child as well ?
“…*many LGBTQ people and other sexual minorities [young women] feel isolated amid the coronavirus pandemic, and that it wants to "create a place where people can feel able to be their true selves*."
Paustovsky
Although I can understand the use of the term 'safe space', I would argue that it triggers exactly the type of person that one would require a safe space from.
If language antagonises then it is not helpful. Perhaps 'community space' or 'drop-in centre' would be better.
Kyo wa heiwa dayo ne
Well thats good for them to be able to meet and have therapy.
However its not really safe because now its been announced where they are.
And with perfect directions as to how to find the meeting place.
And anyone can visit so thats kind of ridiculous.
By the way the flags aren't rainbows either .
A rainbow has 7 colors and different,Just in case you didnt notice.
Sounds like a very confused group .
8T
Well, what about the LGBTQRSTUV....... community?
Bob Fosse
You’ll find the answers you need in the article handily provided below the headline.
Lord Dartmouth
Why? Why should these people feel any more isolated than anyone else? Makes no sense whatsoever.
Lindsay
Ok! I know what LGBT stands for, but what is the Q? Queer?
therougou
When they "safe" what they really mean is anyone is safe to go.
Japan is heiwa boke so they don't really think about any dangers.
Sheikh Yerboaby
Ok! I know what LGBT stands for, but what is the Q? Queer?
Yes.
Replying to a different post, it's not that other groups DON'T feel isolated or that they are less isolated....it's not a competition....it's that people in other lets say mainstream groups probably have a larger/stronger support structure to rely on. The feeling of isolation and the depression that it can bring is very much subjective and dependent on the level of support structures the person had in the first place, a kind of baseline reading. Embarking upon a whole lot of whataboutism is useless and lazy to be perfectly frank. It's the same as the people who shouted "all lives matter!"........of course they do, but you've missed the point. It's not that their lives matter MORE than yours, it's that they matter the same....which up until now they perhaps have not....