Quarter of LGBT people in Japan have experienced outing: survey

Much more serious incidents occur in Japanese companies than the divulging of sexual orientation....

A law enacted in June also requires firms to take measures against abuse of power, which includes outings and insults of sexual and gender minority people in its government guidelines.

Having a law on the books and actually enforcing it here, are two totally different things!

Much more serious incidents occur in Japanese companies than the divulging of sexual orientation....

So, then by your logic, the other "more serious incidents" justifies the actions of ignorant people?

Problem today is that there are far too many people who use this convoluted logic to justify their own ideas and opinions!

I don't understand why they have to hide their sexual preference. If you're going to be gay, don't try to hide it and don't expect non-gay people to hide it for you. Are they ashamed of what they do? Is that why it has to be hidden?

Thats normal for gay men everywhere. I'm gay and had friends outed by a family member or social media. Japan has a lot of DL dudes.

@BertieWooster

If you're going to be gay, don't try to hide it and don't expect non-gay people to hide it for you. Are they ashamed of what they do? Is that why it has to be hidden?

A long time ago, such things didn't matter to people. Even in civilizations such as Rome, it was normal and acceptable. However, with the spread of Christianity and then the spread of colonization by Europeans, it started to become a stigma. Many were maimed, tortured, and/or killed for such things. Even when that stopped, there was still heavy social stigmas and bullying that continued. So that fear still exists.

A long time ago, such things didn't matter to people. Even in civilizations such as Rome, it was normal and acceptable. However, with the spread of Christianity and then the spread of colonization by Europeans, it started to become a stigma. Many were maimed, tortured, and/or killed for such things. Even when that stopped, there was still heavy social stigmas and bullying that continued. So that fear still exists.

The hypocrisy of it even in those so-called Christian countries was and is still today mind boggling, in my opinion.

Look at all the "church" leaders who have abused young children, mainly boys, and others within their own flocks, then have the nerve to get up and preach about the evils of being "gay" come Sunday morning!

Japan got royally screwed in things regarding sexuality after MacArthur and the US occupied the country following WWII. He brought their Judeo-Christian hypocrisy here and it stuck!

People in Japan can lay the blame for their sexual hang ups directly on his grave!

People who say, "Well we are being told it's ok so it must be ok, what's wrong with being outed?" are being deliberately obtuse, which is in itself a form of bigotry.

This is a world where in many countries homosexuality is illegal, an imprisonable offence, and can lead to capital punishment.

Even in countries where it is legal, and where same-sex marriage is legal, hate crimes are a regular occurrence - ie people are raped, beaten, and killed for being gay or for 'looking gay', bigoted slurs are common in daily life, and homosexuality is still mocked on the small and large screen.

This is still not a safe world for the LGBTIA+ community, and to think otherwise means you have a lot of learning to do.

Outing someone is often a vindictive, bullying act, deliberately done to make trouble for that person. How do people not see that as a problem?

A law enacted in June also requires firms to take measures against abuse of power, which includes outings and insults of sexual and gender minority people in its government guidelines.

It would be nice if journalists also reported on this. Why is this just a paragraph at the end of the article?

It’s not enough to just make a statement that there is discrimination against LGBT in Japan. Reporters also have to do a little more research to inform readers on the various government measures and civic movements addressing this problem. This helps us to create dialogue, identify shortfalls, and create actual progress on the issue.

Sincerely I am surprised on the results of this survey, I would have though over 50% of the people would have suffered outings.

I don't understand why they have to hide their sexual preference.

Some countries, LGBT people don't have the freedom to express their sexuality, unfortunately.

If you're going to be gay, don't try to hide it and don't expect non-gay people to hide it for you.

In an ideal world, sure. But don't forget, when some people do come out - they're met with the stock responsed "don't force your sexuality down our throats" and "why do gay people have to flaunt it" etc.

Japan has a way to go, but it's still better than many places.

Outing someone is often a vindictive, bullying act, deliberately done to make trouble for that person. How do people not see that as a problem?

If it's not happening to them, it's not a problem for them, I guess.

Since we are constantly being told that being LGBTQA+++++++ is perfectly acceptable,

Some people need to be told, because they prefer to state that there's something wrong with us. Not only is it perfectly acceptable to be gay etc, it's also perfectly normal. What's not normal is to be constantly ridiculed or denied equal rights that other people enjoy.

surely being "outed" is neither here nor there, and the problem therefore lies within offended individuals.

I've heard that, too. Usually from those who, despite being politely and patiently explained why it's a problem, tend to still feign ignorance.

I have been out since junior high in the early 1990s. I had a boyfriend in my class, and back then to the students in my class, it was just an enjoyable novelty. We had a great time and I was able to be a class leader. We are still together, and I've been lucky because I've never suffered for being gay and out. So there are also happy stories. And just a note: I'm not obviously gay or effeminate, but not macho.

burning bush:

I've personally never told anybody my preferences, yet they all seem to know and gossipers whisper about who I seem to fancy at the office.

Thus I've been outed.

Eyes rolling.

Don't tell me, the boss then fired you and called you a straight so-and-so. Then you got verbally and physically abused by some other colleagues who showed their disgust at your lifestyle. Oh, you poor thing. I'll come to the next straight pride march with you. Ah diddums.

We are still together, and I've been lucky because I've never suffered for being gay and out. So there are also happy stories

That's great that you are still together. There are indeed, many happy stories to counter the horrific ones.

And just a note: I'm not obviously gay or effeminate, but not macho.

For sure, there are many different types of people - just the same as heterosexuals - we don't always conform to preconceptions and stereotypes foisted on us.

they're outed more because it's probably that they're going into female-only spaces (this is women's biggest problem with unrestricted 'self-identification'). 

And yet, oddly enough, it's men whose voices are loudest and transphobic about this.

I'm aware of TERF of course, but wherever there is a discussion about whether or not transitioning women can enter a women-only space, there you'll find a man giving his opinion (and not for the first and only time, for sure).

It would be nice if journalists also reported on this. Why is this just a paragraph at the end of the article?

It was, and why does it need to be constantly repeated? Just because you missed it, doesnt mean it wasnt reported.

Oh and it's not like JT is "mainstream" here, far from it! It's just a news "repeater" site, often times with reports or articles, long after they were in the Japanese press!

And yet, oddly enough, it's men whose voices are loudest and transphobic about this.

Yep. But be of good cheer, the loud and transphobic angry straight men of a certain age are not representative of all males. Thankfully!

A law enacted in June also requires firms to take measures against abuse of power, which includes outings and insults of sexual and gender minority people in its government guidelines

That sounds like a law about "power hara", but outing won't necessarily happen from a higher place in a hierarchy. Power hara is about abuse from above, not from the side or below.

The article says it is over twice as likely for trans to be outed than gays and bisexuals. Society is moving toward a place where being trans and non-binary are accepted, but it is further away than a place where LGB are widely accepted. I think there is more residual thinking about sex and gender to overcome. The topic of male/female is also much more likely to come up in the workplace in many different ways than people's sexual preferences. A place where being trans and non-binary are accepted and never get deliberately or accidentally outed is not a dream, but overcoming established thinking and stereotypes to get there will take actual effort. It should not be expected to happen on its own.

Never forget what you are, the rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor and it can never be used to hurt you.

We haven’t outed, but I’m sure my neighbors know. They accept us because we live in a friendly community. I think the problem is heavily populated cities where Japanese citizens spy on each other without actually getting to know each other.

BTW. My parents don’t know. They are Christians...

BTW. My parents don’t know. They are Christians...

If they are, they should be accepting of you and your partner/husband/wife. After all, isn't one of the beliefs that all "sinners" should be loved?

There are plenty of religious gay people out there, who are able to balance their religion with being gay. Fair play to them, although it wouldn't be my cup of tea.

but I’m sure my neighbors know. They accept us because we live in a friendly community.

Yep, a strong community can be a positive.

Interesting the way the votes are going on this one. At the time of this post, it seems there is little support for the LGBT contributors and their allies. That may change, later but it's quite telling that some people out there see us as a problem. Whether we stay quiet or not.

It’s usually the trans women who are incredibly passable who don’t feel the need to divulge that information, and why should they. But if they are outed it can be devastating because a lot of ignorant people will start calling them a gay man in a dress when they’ve spent most of their life living as a woman

Very similar numbers overseas. People aren’t good at keeping secrets.

@toasted.

thank you.

many posters are America centric conservatives.

i hope we can all get together and solve the worlds problems through discussion and acceptance.

@Yubaru

I’m not trying to justify any opinion or view.

My point is that I cannot see the problem of someone’s sexual orientation being common knowledge, in Japan, in the 21st century.

It is not a crime nor is there a punishment for ones choice.

The issue of unfair treatment and discriminatory practices?

That is another matter...

@Goodlucktoyou

We don't always agree but on this, I'm with you. I must admit, I do find it difficult to discuss and accept America-centric conservatives. This is a failing on my part, I do need to be more tolerant and understanding of their unique ways and situation.

At the time of this post, it seems there is little support for the LGBT contributors and their allies.

My comment is intended to be pro LGBT but has been heavily downvoted. I sincerely hope the downvotes are from anti-LGBT and not from LGBT supporters who have skim read what I wrote and assumed it is anti-trans because it talks of them specifically.

To repeat, the story says over half of trans have experienced outing, a much higher percentage than other LGBT. Is that not a problem that needs deliberate action to fix? Shouldn't companies and other organizations work to educate staff to be extra careful about not outing trans? Identifying a problem and taking action are how you improve things.

I sincerely hope the downvotes are from anti-LGBT and not from LGBT supporters who have skim read what I wrote and assumed it is anti-trans because it talks of them specifically.

You got an upvote from me, mate. Totally agree that a lot of work has to be done to overcome established ways and practices of thinking. But yes, it can be done.

And most people seem to be in favor of working towards a better future for all which has inclusiveness, change and acceptance. When you actually talk to them, real people, like :-)

The survey also found that 66.9 percent of respondents said that "compared with five years ago, diversity of sexual orientation and gender identity is better recognized by society."

I think this trend will continue. A lot of the ignorance concerning LGBT in Japan seems to be from a lack of awareness or general resistance to change, rather than a belief that it is immoral like in many Christian and Islamic countries. As awareness grows, it will hopefully lead to better representation and understanding, which will then lead to even greater awareness. Fingers crossed it will also lead to legal change regarding the rights of same sex couples, although I'm less optimistic about that.

If you don't want to be outed, don't tell anyone in the first place.

If you tell someone, of course people will talk about it - either because they're surprised, they're excited to have met a gay person for the first time, or it just comes up in conversation or gossip.

Bullies can only bully you if you let them. They won't bully you for being gay anymore than they will bully you for having big glasses, a bad haircut or old clothes. If you let bullies think they can bully you, they will. If you're happy and confident, they'll leave you alone.

Japan's a great place to be gay. All my neighbors (including a 74 year-old retired policeman) know and nobody cares.

Get out of the closet and live your life.....or stay in it. Up to you!

If you're happy and confident, they'll leave you alone.

Sorry, but that's not the truth across the board.

I've seen people being attacked - simply because they were out of the closet and being themselves. Sometimes the bigots see people having a good time, living their lives and it's like a red rag to a bull(y).

I really do wish things were as wonderful and simple as you have experienced. And yes, Japan is safer and more "tolerant" of LGBT people but it's a protective bubble, of sorts.

There are people out there who wish us harm.

And I'm not just talking about downvoting us.

Only 53% of transgender men had been outed? Sorry, mate, but it ain't exactly rocket science to figure out who is a transgender male amongst us.

Unless you are engaged in intimate congress with said individual why are you obsessing about another's sexuality and not just treating them as a fellow human being?

If you're happy and confident, they'll leave you alone.

Sorry, but that's not the truth across the board.

I've seen people being attacked - simply because they were out of the closet and being themselves. Sometimes the bigots see people having a good time, living their lives and it's like a red rag to a bull(y).

Sorry, I meant here in Japan. Of course overseas it's a very different story. In Japan there's not really a "gay is bad" attitude, certainly nothing stemming from a religious/moral standpoint, so any bullying here is likely just to be simple bullying

No, LGBTQIA don't hide their sexual preference because they are ashamed; they hide it because they are shamed by others and treated in a discriminatory way.

You can be fired from your job, and even if you aren't fired outright, you could be demoted, have your career path obstructred or even destroyed, and have to endure discriminatory comments from bigoted co-workers. It's not just "bullying" as someone said: it's abuse.

Outing a person is a kind of violence against them. It absolutely should not be tolerated in any way. Allowing LGBTQIA people to be out and live their lives as openly and fully as everyone else is not "promoting" anything. It's being a decent human being. These issues are important to Japan, as all human rights issues are important.

so any bullying here is likely just to be simple bullying

Dunno about that. Have you read some of the comments over the years on any topic pertaining to LGBT issues and events?

Some of them are vitriolic, hateful and downright homophobic.

Ok, it's online - as opposed to being physically or verbally abused on the streets but still, it's not acceptable.

Sorry, mate, but it ain't exactly rocket science to figure out who is a transgender male amongst us.

A trans male is someone who was assigned female at birth. Unless people are demanding to see birth certs, not sure what your statement of opinion is getting at?