national

Mie becomes 1st prefecture to ban outing of sexual minorities

39 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© KYODO

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

39 Comments
Login to comment

it does not stipulate penalties for breaches.

The nonbinding ordinance urges people to refrain from treating others in a discriminatory manner based on their sexual orientation and seeks cooperation from residents and companies in the central Japan prefecture.

(ー△ー;)

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Burning BushToday 06:55 am JST

Does this mean a man like me can enter a woman's space and nobody is allowed to point out the fact that I'm a man?

No. This is aimed at not outing LGBTQIA. If you are not LGBTQIA, this has nothing to do with you and won't effect you in the slightest. Unless that is, you plan to out someone. Then it is aimed at you.

My question may seem absurd but it's an honest question about the new law.

I honestly don't see how this can be a sincere question. It seems like an obtuse and purposeful faux misunderstanding of the ordinance to just so you play devil's advocate.

But if you sincerely need education on the issue of outing, may I suggest organizations such as PFLAG, Stonewall.org, Human Rights Campaign, and GLAAD.

11 ( +19 / -8 )

Good on Mie! It is my favorite prefecture! Have travelled there over 20 times. BY FAR my favorite destination for travel. Seriously contemplated moving there MANY times. I can tell you all that Mie has one of the most, if not the most, welcoming, tolerant, progressive and least racist people in this country.

8 ( +13 / -5 )

@ Burnish Bush

Just gi to Mie prefecture and have a try

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Does this mean a man like me can enter a woman's space and nobody is allowed to point out the fact that I'm a man?

My question may seem absurd but it's an honest question about the new law.

It's not a stupid question, because there are some people who might try to take advantage of these rules.

The ideal solution would be for all bathrooms to become unisex bathrooms. I don't know why this hasn't already become the norm. Whilst they are at it they should install cubicles that reach all the way from the floor to the ceiling. Peace at last :-)

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Right. And now I wonder how each business will deal with that. Remember tattoo and onsens, public baths and others? Many such places forbid anyone with a tattoo from entering, but is it legal? Yeah, it's not illegal, I can imagine them saying..

come into force on April 1, but it does not stipulate penalties for breaches.

And there you have it.

We need to change our mindset. We make a law or ban something, thinking it will solve things. Basically a law for a law over another law, etc. Rather than covering everything with a law, it's better to educate or inform people.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@ Burnish Bush

Maybe you shouldn’t go there if you agree with discrimination of minorities.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

NO Real effect, just ‘mouth service’. It’s ALL just “rainbow-washing’ about this issue.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Apparently, once again, people are too excited about a meaningless headline. However, little attention is given to ‘the details’ of the article. Well, at least, some persons_@_tokyo’ have something to ‘de-bait’ today. This ’ordinace’ just a ‘virtue signaling’ proclamation and has NO real consequences for offenders.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

In Japan, always look for the safe yet, *ineffectual* ‘keywords’ in ANY law:

(From the article) - nonbinding ordinance urges people to refrain”.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

What if I forced to coming out a being single?

A tad lonesome amongst the ravages the pandemic, however a singleton, not alone many choose, for one reason or another to wait for cupid's arrow

I not making fun. I am suggest this nonbinding ordinance could well have the opposite effect to what is intended.

In September, the prefectural government will introduce a partnership certification system for LGBT and sexual minority couples so they can have equivalent rights to married couples in terms of living in public housing and giving consent to their partners' medical treatment, among other benefits.

This is much more to the point.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

If its not shameful why all the hiding? If all the LGBT community came out and were honest the rest of the population would see that their coworkers and neighbors who were LGBT were nothing to be afraid of.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

This law - or mandate - or whatever it is should apply to all, regardless of their sexual orientation, or whether they are male or female. To give special privileges to one group but not to another sounds a lot like discrimination.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

My question may seem absurd

Yup.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Does this mean a man like me can enter a woman's space and nobody is allowed to point out the fact that I'm a man?

My question may seem absurd but it's an honest question about the new law.

Why do you feel the need to troll each and every thread related to sexuality, women, etc... with irrelevant questions and strawman arguments?

If you have nothing constructive to say or no interest in the topic at hand then why not just say nothing?

Nothing in this rule is targeting you or going to have any impact on your life whatsoever.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

This law - or mandate - or whatever it is should apply to all, regardless of their sexual orientation, or whether they are male or female. To give special privileges to one group but not to another sounds a lot like discrimination.

So your argument is that protecting LGBT people from being outed is discrimination because the rule doesn't also protect straight people from being outed as straight? Seriously?! Ok....

2 ( +8 / -6 )

The totally ineffectual ‘ordinance’ could be viewed as ‘discriminatory itself’ as it only attempts to have an effect a segment of the population.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I'm curious. If a friend of mine asks me if Mr. A is gay and I say that I think he is, does this make me a criminal? Especially if it's not to his employer or authority of any kind.

Same if we answer if a person is a zainichi Korean or a sex worker?

4 ( +6 / -2 )

The door ‘swings both ways’ @Nator 10:34a: the ‘baiters’ and the ‘de-baiters’. Some even, are so self-deluded to think they are ‘masters’ at it, routinely trying to close out threads with bickering and/or, trying to get ‘the last word in’ overnight.

Point taken, @Nator. It’s ‘too easy’ to single out individuals for opposing viewpoints and NEVER really addressing any group, organization, business or government as a whole. THEY are the ‘entities’ truly responsible’, not powerless individuals. THEY create & perpetuate discrimination against MANY classes of people, not just a segment of the populace. IF you are truly virtuous, start using your ‘morning routine’ to go after ‘these issues’ and not, weakly, just some individuals.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Why do you feel the need to troll each and every thread related to sexuality, women, etc... with irrelevant questions and strawman arguments?

If you have nothing constructive to say or no interest in the topic at hand then why not just say nothing?

Nothing in this rule is targeting you or going to have any impact on your life whatsoever.

Nator- VERY VERY WELL SAID!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

More details, please. What’s the punishment there to say about myself that I am straight? lol

0 ( +3 / -3 )

So your argument is that protecting LGBT people from being outed is discrimination because the rule doesn't also protect straight people from being outed as straight? Seriously?! Ok....

Not at all. My argument is that all should be treated equally.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Good on Mie.

Society, including Japanese society , treats the LGBTQ wth disdain.

In my years here I have heard homophobic slurs thrown on people for petty reasons.

Let Japan not become a false democracy like Russia where the government takes the lead in persecuting this community, all due to the insecurities of the leader.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

This law - or mandate - or whatever it is should apply to all, regardless of their sexual orientation, or whether they are male or female. To give special privileges to one group but not to another sounds a lot like discrimination.

You could argue that given LGBT people suffer from discrimination, and are not treated equally even under the law, this measure is justified. Ideally, it wouldn’t be necessary but there are a lot of bigoted morons out there.

If you don’t think stupidity, knuckle-dragging and plain old nastiness towards LGBT people exists, read a few more threads like this on JT.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Speed,

There you have in a single sentence. A comment out of place could potentially have career changing affects or worse.

Balance. However can that be written into law.

The Mie prefectural assembly approved an ordinance non binding, to come some way to address that balance.

I wonder if there if this ordinance was the correct approach.

Education, start from first rung of the ladder, where students are exploring there sexualities'...

Some online worryingly.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I don't understand.

Isn't discrimination already unlawful ?

I meaning knowing somebody is gay or not, who cares ?

But who is discriminating somebody else for no reason outside the sex orientation, I care !

What if somebody, unknown to me, on social media shouts that I am gay ? Who can know the truth ? What is the point ?

Japanese find it rude to give an opinion on others anyway. But to ban it, that is too much and going against your freedom of thought.

Go against discrimination ! So hypocritical.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I know that these toothless laws and ordinances are popular in Japan, similar with prefectures that have recognized marriage equality. They don't truly do anything outside of the symbolic.

At the same time, it is good to see public sentiment generally supporting these types of bills. It could be a good pathway to implementing laws with actual government backing behind them.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

You could argue that given LGBT people suffer from discrimination, and are not treated equally even under the law, this measure is justified. Ideally, it wouldn’t be necessary but there are a lot of bigoted morons out there.

I wouldn't argue that. I'm suggesting that LGBT should be protected from being "outed" and that non-LGBT people she be equally protected.

I don't understand why you wouldn't want the same protections for non-LGBT people.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

I wouldn't argue that. I'm suggesting that LGBT should be protected from being "outed" and that non-LGBT people she be equally protected.

Who are non-LGBT being protected from?

Clearly disingenuous. The walls are closing in on this silly argument.

You are avoiding the fact that heterosexual people do not suffer the kind of discrimination faced by LGBT people.

Are you arguing it is a level playing field? Where are you living? Sounds like an interesting place. Where is it?

I don't understand why you wouldn't want the same protections for non-LGBT people

Is there anti-non-LGBT sentiment going around in your home country?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I am gay and I think this is ridiculous. seriously the world has gone mad.

Ban discrimination against sexual minorities, sure. But this is banning the truth. If someone finds out I’m gay, and tells someone else, they’re simply telling the truth. That should not be a crime.

If someone tells a boss an employee is gay, and they’re treated differently, the boss should be dealt with using existing anti-discrimination laws. If they’re not tough enough, toughen THEM, don’t make silly laws like this outlawing gossip.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Mr KiplingToday 10:09 am JST

If its not shameful why all the hiding? If all the LGBT community came out and were honest the rest of the population would see that their coworkers and neighbors who were LGBT were nothing to be afraid of.

If people stopped insulting, discriminating against, firing, harassing, beating up, and even murdering us for being gay, maybe we would come out - did you ever think of that? Sheesh.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The argument that LGBTQIA "don't need special protection" or that straight people do need them is purposely obtus. It's nothing but a faux misunderstanding of the ordinance just to give you the chance to express your disdain for LGBTQIA.

I guess since you can't talk to people like this in real life (because you know its unacceptable) you have to spew your garbage here.

Ya'all need a better hobby.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Who are non-LGBT being protected from?

Anyone who wanted to "out" them.

You are avoiding the fact that heterosexual people do not suffer the kind of discrimination faced by LGBT people.

So you DO agree that heterosexual people suffer A KIND of discrimination. Glad to see we're finding common ground! #thankgodalmightpeaceatlast

I would not suggest that the struggles faced by LGBT people and heterosexual people is the same, or of the same amount. It's different, and in different quantity, for sure. But discrimination is not just a one-way street.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites