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Only 10% of firms in Japan have addressed LGBT issues: survey

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Why should anyone be treated differently from anybody else in the first place?

12 ( +19 / -7 )

Why should anyone be treated differently from anybody else in the first place?

I've been asking myself that same question for over 50 years. Why on Earth would anyone who isn't interested in dating me care at all about my sexuality?

Unfortunately some people seem to think that:

a) it's is their business, and

b) they can say and do whatever they like about it.

Japan is still a long way behind most other developed nations when it comes to issues of LGBTIQ+ rights.

5 ( +12 / -7 )

Why do business need to do anything about this issue?

9 ( +17 / -8 )

50.8 percent said they find it difficult to grasp the opinions of LGBT workers and what is required for them, and 40.6 percent said they do not know what kind of measures are necessary.

Thats because the LGBT keep changing the “rules” on how they want to be treated.

-2 ( +10 / -12 )

Bugle boy

We don't want any special "rules" on how we should be treated. We are also human beens and we only asking to have the same rights and obligations like the rest of you.

And yes harassment on the workplace just because of your sexual orientation is alive and well in Japan but also in a number other "advanced" nations.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

I think some of the guys in my team are gay; they never said anything, I never asked, and that's it. The rule is "no romance in the office", regardless of whatever sexual nature; outside the office, whatever you want. And if I would have to answer to a similar questionnaire, I would probably answer I don't know what special measures should I take.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Beren_g

That may be so, but the "rules" do keep on changing, so it's no wonder that many people find it difficult to figure out what y'all want.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

In theory, competition in the market should give the companies that protect the rights of workers to be themselves will be able to hire the best and put the other companies out of business. However that can be a slow process that takes years.

Besides national defense, the most important thing governments of all levels have on their plates at all times is to ensure that no individual is being discriminated against, period. Governments need to protect the rights of every person.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

10% of companies versus 10% of respondents can be a drastically different number.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Not exactly sure the point of this article. What issue needs to be addressed by companies RE lgbtq? What actual discrimination has taken place? Seems like an answer looking for a problem.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

My company provides male/female restrooms and mandatory annual physicals which are scheduled male and female. I am sure the issue will come up at some point, and I would expect a typical buchou's eyes to pop out if you asked him to allow you to use the opposite bathroom, etc.

I personally don't want to share a restroom with women, but if I had to, I could deal with it. However, I respect a woman's right to have no men in the women's restroom. At the same time, we can avoid the need for a bazillion restrooms (one for each supposed gender) by having restrooms designed for one person at a time. In a larger company, have large men's and women's restrooms, as well as a small multi-purpose restroom so anyone can use it. Then we can just say, men, please restrict your use to the men's and multi-purpose, women, to women's and multi-purpose, and anyone can use the multi-purpose restroom. Then we can focus on work and not non-work issues.

As for physicals, that's really an issue between each person and their doctor. I don't think the physical is going to change much for anyone. The only difference I am aware of is that women get checked for breast cancer, so regardless of how you identify, cancer doesn't care what you think, so if you have mammary glands, you aught to get that part of the physical done. "Gender" as defined as "how you feel" need not be included on the physical exam report. Your gender as defined by your genitals should. And the neat thing is, you can opt to not share the info, and you can opt not to share the results of your exam. They are all private.

This is fair to everyone. LGBT should be happy to have such an inclusive environment to work in.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Why do business need to do anything about this issue?

Tell everyone at your workplace that you're Gay - or even that you support LGBTIQ+ rights - and see what happens.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

it's no wonder that many people find it difficult to figure out what y'all want.

It's called "Equal Rights", Bugle Boy - and the requests haven't changed at all.

I you can't figure out why a persecuted minority is demanding that their persecution be ended, then there is no point in even trying to enlighten you.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

What issue needs to be addressed by companies RE lgbtq? What actual discrimination has taken place? Seems like an answer looking for a problem.

I'll issue you the same challenge that I did to Michael; tell everyone at your workplace that you're Gay and see what happens.

And FYI - a young, anti-Gay Christian in the US did exactly that and kept it up for a year. It profoundly changed his views on the need for legislation to protect LGBTIQ+ Rights.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

kurisupisuToday 06:50 am JST

Why should anyone be treated differently from anybody else in the first place

Indeed, you got it right. That's why :

policies aimed at protecting the rights of sexual minorities

4 ( +4 / -0 )

And if I would have to answer to a similar questionnaire, I would probably answer I don't know what special measures should I take.

It sounds like you don't need to timeon - although I wonder what would happen if I worked at your office and brought my husband along to an office function.

It's easy when you are not a member of a minority to fail to see any problems - but they are there and they can get really bad for some people.

For example - I am legally married to a Japanese national in my home country of New Zealand and our adopted home of Australia - but when we get through Immigration at the airport here we are suddenly not married anymore because Japan refuses to recognise our marriage as legal.

Why? If it is legal in other countries with similar laws, why not here? Japan has no problems with marriages made under Islamic law or Hindu law as long as they are between a man and a woman - so why not a legal same-sex marriage? It makes no sense and makes our lives here unnecessarily complicated.

That is just one example of the systemic prejudice that exists here - two people who love each other and who are breaking no laws by doing so are prevented from marrying just because the Marriage law - which actually does not specify the biological gender of the two people - is interpreted to mean male/female couples only.

The problems arise when there is harassment, and just because it's all cool where you work doesn't mean that is the case everywhere. There need to be laws in place to protect all minorities subject to discrimination - not just LGBTIQ+ people. What you can do is start educating yourself and other people about the problems LGBTIQ+ and other people face.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

And if I would have to answer to a similar questionnaire, I would probably answer I don't know what special measures should I take.

Can I assume you don't work in Human Resources? Because I think a lot of people don't have any idea about issues they've never thought about, but if you are in charge of company policies, then it does become your job to think about employees' issues. Things like family benefits: housing, condolence leave for spouse/in-laws, etc. are impacted by the fact that Japan only allows opposite sex marriages. Many large international companies that want to make sure they can hire and retain the best of the best will allow spouse and family benefits for self declared couples, regardless of the availability of legal status.

There are loads of things I won't have imagined. (I don't work in HR). Just because I don't know about an issue doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

It's called "Equal Rights", Bugle Boy - and the requests haven't changed at all.

I you can't figure out why a persecuted minority is demanding that their persecution be ended, then there is no point in even trying to enlighten you.

But the requests and the rules DO change. Because not every LGBT has the same opinion. Who is their leader? Where is their edict? Where can I read their official demands? They, as a group, don't agree on what they want. So when one faction demands one thing, and then another faction demands another, at what point are we as a society satisfied?

Throwing shade does not help. If you won't make an effort to help others understand, you are not part of the solution.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Bugle Boy of Company BToday 01:37 pm JST

But the requests and the rules DO change. Because not every LGBT has the same opinion. Who is their leader? Where is their edict? Where can I read their official demands? They, as a group, don't agree on what they want. So when one faction demands one thing, and then another faction demands another, at what point are we as a society satisfied?

What rules are you talking about ? Leaders, edict ? That's even more confusing.

The only rule is threat everyone equally. And I am pretty sure you don't need any leader or edict to understand that.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The rule is "no romance in the office", regardless of whatever sexual nature; 

In my opinion, any "office" or business anywhere that has to make a rule like this, has problems in the first place, and is not one I would want to work at for any price!

You get paid to do a job, not screw around, literally or figuratively, and businesses that have that type of environment are not being led very well, if at all!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I really can't think of additional measures that could be implemented to serve the interests of individuals that identify with the LGBT, people are generally allowed to use toilets that conform to the gender they identify with and workers are given some degree of orientation about the group and why it is important not to discriminate. This is enough in my opinion, special privileges aren't needed because they are pretty much just like everyone else.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

employee to employer: I'm gay

employer to employee: that's nice what does that have to do with your job?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

But the requests and the rules DO change.

When? Where? I've been fighting for my Rights for nearly 50 years and we still haven't achieved equity or even equality, as Japan's official attitude towards my marriage shows only too clearly. We want the same rights and freedoms as every other law-abiding, voting, tax-paying citizen. What is confusing about that?

Because not every LGBT has the same opinion.

...because LGBT people in different countries suffer different levels of discrimination. Again - where is the confusion here? Think about all the rights and freedoms you enjoy and then imagine not having some or all of them. That is what we want.

Who is their leader? Where is their edict? Where can I read their official demands?

We don't have a "leader"; we don't have an "edict"; we don't have a list of "official demands" because every case of discrimination is different.

But we all agree that we want to be treated the same as everyone else - that's it.

If you really want to learn about it, you can start by reading this:

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

1 ( +1 / -0 )

employee to employer: I'm gay

employer to employee: that's nice what does that have to do with your job?

In Australia, Dango:

employee to employer: I'm Gay

employer to employee: well this is a Christian institution and your lifestyle does not accord with our values, so your employment is terminated immediately. Please leave as soon as possible.

Yes - that is actually legal in Australia even now. Any religious organisation can fire someone for being Gay, religious schools can expel students for being Gay or even for having Gay parents - and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

THAT is the sort of discrimination LGBTIQ+ people face.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Yes - that is actually legal in Australia even now. Any religious organisation can fire someone for being Gay, religious schools can expel students for being Gay or even for having Gay parents - and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

Well at least they dont live in one of those "oil" producing countries, where being "gay" is a death sentence!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Kingston Obike June 15 02:50 pm JST

I really can't think of additional measures that could be implemented to serve the interests of individuals that identify with the LGBT, people are generally allowed to use toilets that conform to the gender they identify with and workers are given some degree of orientation about the group and why it is important not to discriminate. This is enough in my opinion, special privileges aren't needed because they are pretty much just like everyone else.

I can give you a few.

Employers cannot discriminate against LGBTQIA in hiring, promotions, or in giving work assignments.

Employers must include the spouse of LGBTQIA employees in social insurance and health insurance, as well as inclusion in company events, in the same way heterosexual spouses are.

Employers must protect LGTBTQIA employees from harassment, including discriminatory remarks and other behaviors. This might need to include sensitivity training and/or education programs aimed at preventing such incidents.

Employers must fly the rainbow flag every day, and have five or six flags put up during Pride month, as well as a parade from HR all around the building and back. With floats, a marching band, confetti, elephants, and shirtless men dancing.

Cake. We all want cake. Every. Day.

Just kidding with those last two. :)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Bugle Boy of Company BJune 15 01:37 pm JST

But the requests and the rules DO change. Because not every LGBT has the same opinion. Who is their leader? Where is their edict? Where can I read their official demands? They, as a group, don't agree on what they want. So when one faction demands one thing, and then another faction demands another, at what point are we as a society satisfied?

We all agree that we want equal rights. It's pretty simple, really.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Thanks for the responses guys. Is there a clear definition of “equal rights”. What’s the range and scope?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Bugle Boy of Company B Today 08:32 am JST

Thanks for the responses guys. Is there a clear definition of “equal rights”. What’s the range and scope?

equal /ˈiːkw(ə)l/

adjective

being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value.

"add equal amounts of water and flour"

Similar: identical, uniform, alike, like, same, equivalent, indistinguishable

(of people) having the same status, rights, or opportunities.

"people are born free and equal"

uniform in application or effect; without discrimination on any grounds.

"a dedicated campaigner for equal rights"

Similar: unbiased, impartial, non-partisan, fair, fair-minded, just, even-handed, equitable, unprejudiced, unbigoted, non-discriminatory, free from discrimination, egalitarian

See also:

https://www.equalrightsamendment.org/

https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/

https://www.hrc.org/

https://www.aclu.org/issues/lgbt-rights

https://www.glaad.org/resources/ally/10

I am pretty sure you could have done the googling yourself; nevertheless, I hope that helps answer your question.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I hope that helps answer your question.

It's a start, GIT. What specific equal rights are LGBT hoping for?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Bugle Boy of Company B June 16 10:01 pm JST

I hope that helps answer your question.

It's a start, GIT. What specific equal rights are LGBT hoping for?

You got some reading to do. When you come back and show me that you attempted to understand it all on your own, and I believe you are sincere, we can have a conversation. Not before.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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