Rainbow Pride

I wonder why the photographer chose to focus clearly on the policemen in the background...

In Seattle, the police would be marching proudly in the parade along with everyone else... :-)

Sad to see that there are so many homophobes in the comments section. There are many comments with very roundabout way of saying that "I'm a homophobe". Yes, you're a homophobe, and you can not logically or rationally justify your prejudice.

Keep it in the bedroom, the same as (most) heterosexuals do.

First of all, the are not having sex in the streets. It's a parade for pete's sake!! It's all about celebrating diversity.

Second, most heterosexuals DO NOT 'keep it in the bedroom'. Heterosexuals talk about sex, make sexual innuendos, joke about sex, have TV shows with explicit sex scenes, have sexual content in books, comics, commercials, kiss, hug, hold hands in public EVERYDAY and EVERYWHERE. But somehow if a gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender person is expressing his/her sexuality in any way, they are being offensive. Can't you see what a double standard that is?!! You are being a homophobe AND a hypocrite so at least own up to it!

Maybe the photographer has a thing for men in Uniforms.[Grin]

@ alladin so what? Japan can't have LGBT people? I find the parades a welcome change and am glad they are demonstrating and raising awareness. You make it sound as if 'gay and lesbian' is a bad thing. Well, the irony of it is because of the discrimination they face, they tend to be far more open minded and friendlier than many people.

In Sydney, the police and armed forces representatives all march in the (G/L/B/T) Mardi Gras with thousands of others in front of over 100,000 spectators.

While most people do not think he is "normal" and probably disagree with his lifestyle choice, he isn't beating anyone or harming anyone so good luck to him. As I always say, more gay guys means the odds for us straight fellas becomes even better with the ladies!

I'm curious why the policemen are huddled so close together.

What they really want is to be thought of as "normal" so they can do what they do without guilt or reprisal.

And who is any one to say they aren't normal. You can be assured they don't feel guilty - and they shouldn't have to. Being gay is something most are born with due to chemical imbalances in the brain - they have a predisposition towards it from birth. Of course, there are those that choose to be gay for whatever reasons they have and thats their choice. As for transgendered people, again, they are born that way and shouldn't have to be any lesser part of society that others.

What they really want is to be thought of as "normal" so they can do what they do without guilt or reprisal.

Why should anyone feel guilty if they have not hurt anybody? Your idea of guilt is weird.

I never thought I would see such homophobic comments on this thread- oh wait, I forgot momentarily where I was.

Why is that people treat homosexuality like it's threatening THEIR way of life? I just don't get it. My sister hid her homosexuality for so many years. It drove her to the point of being an alcoholic. I can't imagine what it's like to have to hide who you are just to satisfy the norm. Finally,when she came out, it was as if a weight was lifted from her shoulders.

I am so proud of her and happy to see her with her wife, who loves her and adores her. Call me a liberal,call me abnormal for wanting gays to have the same rights to marry and have a family like I do. Thumbs me down ,if that is what gets you through the day.

Austin Powers: "It's a man, baby"

I am referring to the homosexuals that parade around in skimpy fetish gear and are obnoxious about their lifestyle choices.

Are you saying that there aren't any heterosexuals who parade around in skimpy fetish gear?

What is normal is that that is this person's life. It's very simple but some people take a long time to get it.

Thomas Anderson;

Sad to see that there are so many homophobes in the comments section. There are many comments with very roundabout way of saying that "I'm a homophobe". Yes, you're a homophobe, and you can not logically or rationally justify your prejudice.

Well said. It's all the more hypocritical when you consider how many of the same commenters complain about being discriminated against for being non-Japanese. Apparently certain forms of discrimination are acceptable to such people.

At 1st glance I thought the folks behind the CD were participants of Rainbow Pride parade.

RR

Love her dress - very pretty. Why on earth do they need an elevated police presence? Has there ever been trouble at this parade, or is it to guide traffic, or...?

wontondAPR. 30, 2012 - 07:33AM JST

I'm curious why the policemen are huddled so close together.

They look like they don't know black from white... LOL

@wontond I'm curious why the policemen are huddled so close together.

maybe gayness is contagious and they dont want to catch it!?

I think Mary Poppins looks cute.

I'm a lesbian, and I wish I could've attended the parade! Had to work, unfortunately. It's awesome that Japan is becoming more accepting, even if progress is slow, and LGBT people are finding a voice and the courage to live their lives without hiding. Here's hoping homophobia will be a thing of the past, that our grandchildren laugh at us for.

The photo of parade participants is with the story in the National section.

LGBT parades - Should be more of them everywhere; they are festivals promoting equality, using non-violent means, and add vibrancy to whichever place the take place in.

@DenTok2009 - The photographer's focussing on the police to highlight who the real sexual deviants are...

He really rocks that dress. More power to them, it's been a long time coming. Maybe, just maybe, Japan will join us in the 21st Century. Good luck on their cause.

And come on, those shoulders are not any bigger than Kelly Clarkson's (I love Kelly btw)

It's not even a matter of what's normal and what's not. There is no such word as "normal" in our dictionary. We are all human and we just happen to like different things. The reason why we have pride is because of some ignorant people. They are still debating whether we are "normal". We don't even have certain rights that straight people do because, according to them, we are not "normal". People like them look at us and go, "you are sick, you are not normal." if ONLY people like they treated us the same way you do straight people, we wouldn't even have to go out and spread awareness. I guess we would still have pride no matter what, though, because it's also a CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY. We gays just have 100 times the fun they do, sorry.

While there clearly is discrimination against gays, at least gay-bashing isn't common here.

Ted:

Someone please tell me exactly what is NORMAL in the photo above?

I'll tell you. The fact that no-one is physically abusing the 'person in the dress' and beating him until he's black and blue. There are certain 'progressive countries' where this, bullying and suicides are still a big problem. And no, I'm not talking about Muslim countries.

As a vegetarian, I don't find eating meat normal. As an atheist, I don't find religion normal. We all have different definitions of what is or isn't normal. But some of us respect others and let them lead their own lives as long as they're not hurting others.

It's not even a matter of what's normal and what's not. There is no such word as "normal" in our dictionary. We are all human and we just happen to like different things. The reason why we have pride is because of some ignorant people. They are still debating whether we are "normal". We don't even have certain rights that straight people do because, according to them, we are not "normal". People like them look at us and go, "you are sick, you are not normal." if ONLY people like them treated us the same way they do straight people, we wouldn't even have to go out and spread awareness. I guess we would still have pride no matter what, though, because it's also a CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY. We gays just have 100 times the fun they do, sorry.

(Please delete the previous one because there's mistakes)

Is it just a parade? In Denver, it's a festival. There's a parade and booths set up plus a stage too, I think. I remember when PrideFest started, it was a pitiful parade (not enough participants to call it a parade) and nothing else. Now it's no different from other festivals. Lots of booths and all.

Is it possible the police are very wary of photographs cleverly taken to make it seem they're part of the parade? Very careful not only to have no smile, I count four masks in this small group.

Does anyone know why the police were called in? Was there violence?

Well at least gays, lesbians, trans-genders, new-halfs or whatever are less xenophobic to gaijin :)

haha! j police at its finest :P

As vere many homophobic remarks on JT. Is this view representative of foreigenrs living in Japan? I know only a few and they do not share these types of views.

What they really want is to be thought of as "normal" so they can do what they do without guilt or reprisal.

The police are scared and insecure in their manhood. The man-woman-breast-stroke-swimmer is a great contrast from the Keystone neo-cons in the back.

sensei258:

They ARE normal.

SpeedAPR. 30, 2012 - 07:41AM JST

The police are scared and insecure in their manhood. The man-woman-breast-stroke-swimmer is a great contrast from the Keystone neo-cons in the back.

Well said! :-)

Though I'm wondering why Japan Today chose to post a picture of a trans woman in a dress. Why don't you have a picture of the actual parade? Or a gay or lesbian couple? Interesting that they chose to post the most "shocking" picture. Whatever, though, I think the lady in the picture is lookin' fine. Power to her!

dolphingirl, I am referring to the homosexuals that parade around in skimpy fetish gear and are obnoxious about their lifestyle choices. Let people talk about and joke about sex all they want. It's just conversation. Sorry, I wasn't clear enough and offended you. Try not to be too sensitive. That's another thing causing this whole debacle. Hold your girlfriend's hand and make out all you want. Just don't yell out into the street like "Hey! We're LGBT and we want to share it with everyone! Watch us!" is all I'm saying. Goodnight. :)

@Thomas Anderson

No. There are heterosexuals that parade around in skimpy fetish gear. But these usually are found in red light districts, or end up arrested, or in mental asylums. And don't use Carnivale as an excuse. Unlike the Pride Parade, the Carnivale is a cultural thing, not an ideological statement by obnoxious people.

Look at the shoulders on that cross dresser, bet he can do the 400m butterfly like Mike the Thorpedo and love the dress!

Pukey2, thanks for sharing your views. I agree, if that's the perspective that you are taking it from, then this is normal. While I disagree that the methods might not agree with my own, physical abuse is absolutely wrong and (should be) unacceptable in any country. Some posters on this board may call me a homophobe for my previous comments, frankly I couldn't care less, but I honestly have nothing against a person's lifestyle choice. The only time I get offended by it is when it's paraded around and made 'loud' and 'proud'. I don't care what anyone's sexual preference is. That's their choice. But in the same way I don't like breathing second hand smoke, I don't want to be forced to know what a person's (should be) personal life entails. Keep it in the bedroom, the same as (most) heterosexuals do. Sexuality is a personal thing that should be kept private.

@ ukguyjp - do you really think that the guy in this pic represents normalcy?

I wonder why the photographer chose to focus clearly on the policemen in the background...

exactly, i thought he was under arrest :)

dont know who looks more menacing the participant or the police!?

"What they really want is to be thought of as "normal" so they can do what they do without guilt or reprisal."

@ukguyjp: I don't think there is anything normal about a fully grown man in make up and a dress...

Has Japan become a gay and lesbian nation? It sure looks like it.

Someone please tell me exactly what is NORMAL in the photo above?