tokyo 2020 olympics

Japan's Olympic chief marks pride week with LGBTQ event

48 Comments
By MARI YAMAGUCHI

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48 Comments

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Many athletes are LGBT, it's entirely relevant.

To those who are fed up with us and want to silence us, nobody is forcing you to read and comment on every LGBT related topic.

-34 ( +26 / -60 )

Smells like politics, but Japan Inc did progress pretty quickly on this issue. Give them a clap, perhaps?

-17 ( +13 / -30 )

All for LGBTQ equality, but this smacks of pinkwashing for a tarnished Olympics.

30 ( +37 / -7 )

Be Smarter. “Don’t Engage!”

11 ( +15 / -4 )

Of course, like almost everything else about the Olympics, this is just a performance. Still enough though to anger a lot of people unaffected by LGBTQ issues.

19 ( +26 / -7 )

No one cares anymore about who, or what, people choose to mash-on - Only the media cares.

26 ( +32 / -6 )

As a foreigner who has lived here and seen tons of racism and discrimination, I find her cute mask deeply offensive

20 ( +31 / -11 )

I was often "bullied", "made fun of", "harrassed", in school and out of it..... not because of my gender/sexuality/whatever.... just because. it happens. it's not nice but it happens, to all sorts of people for all sorts of reasons.

life is full of difficulties, for anyone and everyone, we are each a 'minority of one' and just have to work it out, some of us do and some of us don't.

I can't help but think that singling out this sort of thing, labelling, legislating, rather tends to re-inforce the 'otherness'.

18 ( +31 / -13 )

life is full of difficulties, for anyone and everyone, we are each a 'minority of one' and just have to work it out, some of us do and some of us don't.

In other words, accept discrimination and hatreds?

No thanks.

-10 ( +19 / -29 )

Wtf do so many ignorant backwater people have against these sexual minorities? And children are not going to turn “gay” from being around a gay couple. Maybe they will learn to have empathy and understanding and is that such a bad thing?

-7 ( +19 / -26 )

"We need to take action now,” Hashimoto said, adding that she wants people to remember the Tokyo Games as a “turning point in achieving diversity and harmony, including understanding for LGBTQ” issues.

Everybody knows by now what these games will be remembered for, and it is not a positive thing. Sad to see very important issues being used as a smoke screen to disguise the complete lack of interest of the organizing committee on the huge risks they are trying to bring to the city.

26 ( +31 / -5 )

Sexual orientations are your own business, no one should be made to cater to it.

Equality is for all. Oppression should be everyone's business. It needs tackling.

-8 ( +15 / -23 )

Oh, yeah. Just what we need. A PC Olympics in the middle of a global pandemic.

13 ( +24 / -11 )

Oh, yeah. Just what we need. A PC Olympics in the middle of a global pandemic.

It's never the right time to address inequality and discrimination, innit.

Out of curiousity, genuine question, why does the right want to cancel us?

-11 ( +12 / -23 )

I can't help but think that singling out this sort of thing, labelling, legislating, rather tends to re-inforce the 'otherness

It’s a fair point. You wonder if it can have the opposite effect in terms of what it’s trying to achieve ( which is a noble cause ).

There are some who think this takes up too much bandwidth because it’s more fashionable than other worthy causes like the plight of the poor, the disabled etc.

Can we have more anti-poverty hats and flags?

18 ( +20 / -2 )

What has the Olympics got to do with LGBTQ?

The same as everything else in a country where Same Sex couples are denied equal rights and equitable treatment under the law; it's an opportunity to put these issues before the public with the hope that it will galvanise people to change the situation.

-11 ( +10 / -21 )

"We need to take action now,” Hashimoto said,

Does "we" mean the LDP? The Mori-led faction she is in? Nihon Kaigi?

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Has the English word "equality" taken on a different meaning in Japan like many foreign words do.

Equality refers to woman, diversity refers to race and inclusion refers to LGBTQ+.

Together they are EDI.

-13 ( +1 / -14 )

Sad to see very important issues being used as a smoke screen to disguise the complete lack of interest of the organizing committee on the huge risks they are trying to bring to the city.

Olympic Minister Marukawa has laid into Tokyo for apparently having no medical countermeasures to deal with the virus during the Olympics and Paralympics. She's claiming she asked for a clear explanation two weeks ago but hasn't heard anything yet.

https://www.nikkansports.com/olympic/tokyo2020/news/202104270000240.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nikkansports_ogp

The battle to avoid responsibility for the impending horrorshow heats up day by day.

14 ( +16 / -2 )

life is full of difficulties, for anyone and everyone, we are each a 'minority of one' and just have to work it out, some of us do and some of us don't.

Try telling everyone you know that you are Gay and keep it up for one year; then tell us that we just have to "get over it" and move on with our lives.

And before you question that, someone already did it and it changed his viewpoint radically.

There is a VERY big difference between being bullied in school (which is never acceptable IMO) and living in a country where you are denied basic rights and privileges that everyone else enjoys.

2 ( +12 / -10 )

simian:

What has the Olympics got to do with LGBTQ?

You could say, what have the Uighurs got to do with the Olympics, unless you think one rule applies to certain countries, and another to others.

Japan is the only country in the Group of Seven major industrialized nations where same-sex marriages are not legally recognized.

In other words, lip service. Or jumping on the bandwagon (and getting off when you've taken all the apples).

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Classic clickbait here.

Article says it’s pride week and could just cover that - but instead adds Hashimoto and the emotional and hot topic of the Olympics in and makes it an issue.

I’m sure there are more serious advocates for LGBT rights who’ve been campaigning for years - this should have been their moment - not a clickbait moment involving the Olympics.

14 ( +15 / -1 )

”Equality” means “People” @proxy 9:31am, not just:

“Equality refers to woman,...” -

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

This is a better and more relevant article than ones written about the subject in the past. I guess we will get to about 87 comments before the lock out.

So let's address this: It's a PR event for Pride. Nothing more nothing less. The Pride house is a political organization with a political agenda so them attaching sports to their messaging is expected.

That said, I wonder how exactly is the sports world unfriendly the alphabet community? Gays, Lesbians, and those with cosmetic body modifications have been welcomed and, if deserved, celebrated in their sports community and the sports world.

Now if we are talking about trans athletics, which deals with the reviewing and reorganizing standards designed for fair competition, I can understand why the sports world is a bit hostile. The fear of natural women being pushed out of a sport by trans-women is real, especially since post pubescent transition is currently the most used path given laws and culture.

I always advocate for an "open league" system with full testing but limited repercussions to address this issue but it's always ignored as it would acknowledge the mortal sin of the trans-athlete. They are not the same a man, they are not the same as a woman. They are their own classification, and should be regulated as such.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

The thing is, and what people don't seem to understand is we are not asking for special treatment, or at least most of are not (Obviously there are radicals in any group as broad as the LGBT community.) I and many others just want the same basic rights as anybody else. For me that is being to marry my Japanese partner here in Japan. As it stands there is no true legal standing. Yes, there are "certificates" in certain cities but that's all they are; a piece of paper with no real legal standing. Which means if my partner were to be hospitalized there have it within their rights to deny me visitation rights should they wish. It means I will never be able to get a spousal visa here in Japan like other straight couples. It makes finding an apartment together that much harder (on top of me being a foreigner) and while I like to keep my work and private life seperate, it would be nice to perhaps come out to my coworkers without having my job security at stake so they can stop asking me everyday if I have found a "girlfriend" yet.

3 ( +11 / -8 )

Why, @proxy 9:31am, try to add more “letters”?

“Together they are EDI.” -

To further confuse people and ultimately sideline more important, individual issues by pushing an overall “intersectional politic”?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

what about starting educating our kids: be nice to EVERYONE. EVERYONE is different and it OK.

Once everyone would live by these problem solved. Most of the people can't really relate to this and all you can do is teach your family how the things should be done.

One "equality mask" won't save the day if you are living in country where you can't tell even parents.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

This is just a distraction, a diverting tactic, because the olympics are going to be just a disaster and should have been cancelled for good long ago. Those gay people have nothing to do with the these accursed olympics. Totally unrelated issue.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

All just for publicity.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

"We need to take action now,” Hashimoto said,

Yeah Cancel The god Damn Games for crying out loud.

Be proud of your LBQT whatever community being represented by this woman who is pushing for the games while wearing your banner, you should be outraged and disgusted.

Most people in Japan Do Not want the damn games but she wants to run around promoting your group and you are so pleased and happy about it ..............................huge disconnect from reality and what the people want.

There is a world wide pandemic the tokyo games should not be going ahead, this minister of all people should not be grandstanding on your issue while tokyo grapples with the games and its fall out.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

it would be nice to perhaps come out to my coworkers without having my job security at stake so they can stop asking me everyday if I have found a "girlfriend" yet.

I'm sure it would be nice if people did what we wanted, but the fact is that a law that permits same-sex marriage (arguments for or against that aside) will not make people change their opinions about it. You can't legislate people into liking someone.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

Let's just focus on sports FFS.

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

How about an Olympic Games event for one of the most marginalized, oppressed and discriminated groups of all...the poor,

They are denied many services and rights in ways most of us would never experience. How about it Ms. Hashimoto?

6 ( +10 / -4 )

So virtue signaling is a thing in Japan now too?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Perfect picture or orwellian double speak. The work equality on a mask.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

More vitriol here today than I would have expected.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

I'm sure it would be nice if people did what we wanted, but the fact is that a law that permits same-sex marriage (arguments for or against that aside) will not make people change their opinions about it. You can't legislate people into liking someone.

Have you not heard of social change? And by your thinking should we also deny ethnic minorities rights too just because a fraction of the population doesn't like them? Or anybody else for that matter?

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

What has the Olympics got to do with LGBTQ?

The Olympic Charter sets out many ethical ideals the Olympics represent and champion. These include anti-discrimination based on national origin, physical disability, religion, sexual orientation, language, economic status. These are all fairly well known, with the exception of sexual orientation. So Hashimoto threw on a mask and said a few words about it.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Your unintentional ‘verbal misstep’ Whatsnext 3:33p citing “doublespeak” was saved by referring to another “inequity” in Japan:

“...work equality”-

Regardless, point taken.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

You can't legislate people into liking someone.

I don't care if the "like" me, Thomas Tank; I just want them to be stopped from making my daily life a battle-ground.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I don't care if the(y) "like" me, Thomas Tank; I just want them to be stopped from making my daily life a battle-ground.

Yes, I understand. But the fact is that jawshx wants to come out to his coworkers so he doesn't have to answer endless questions about him finding a girlfriend, but if he comes out then maybe his boss will fire him. That would be illegal and immoral in my opinion.

BUT... the fact is that people who don't like a certain type of person (whether it's because of a physical trait, character type or otherwise) won't magically like someone and stop being unkind to them just because there's a law about marriage.

If someone is being harassed, then the offender needs to be disciplined according to the law, but don't we already have laws regarding harassment?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

There was way more than you see here @3:38 pm Jack. And you’d be more surprised which “side” it was coming from, @Jack 3:50, all contrary to what Hashimoto’s mask is calling.

- “More vitriol here today than I would have expected.”-

Thankfully, the “bait”-ful posters that just sought to dissect comments, engage in warrantless troublemaking and foster unnecessary divisiveness were controlled and/or deleted.

The majority of posters today recognize this is the J Olympic Committee’s insincere, and frankly, offensive ‘virtue signaling’. These are obvious efforts to garner support amongst the current surge of dissension from hosting the Games. An equal and overlapping number of commenters support LGBT+ equality.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

And, as @Concerned Citizen 2:04p and many pointed out, there are more concerning issues facing the world now, including the pandemic, joblessness, poverty, hunger and homelessness.

The latter, ‘truly-marginalized’ groups ‘do NOT have a colorful, unifying banner’ asking for “the basic human rights of shelter, sustenance and support” after natural and economic disasters. Where is their highlighted article “showcasingtheir continuing struggles with everyday existence?

Even if they did have a ‘rallying flag’, the J officials and people at the forefront of the Games would never bear THAT colorless banner in public. It would be an admission on the world’s stage that Japan has, once again, “surrendered and failed” many of its own people.

However, shamelessly, as we seen so far, and will see again at the events surrounding the games, the J Gov and JOC will parade out and further exploit the Tohoku region’s people “as part of their international PR campaign”. It’s not shameful, but sinful.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Laws can cause social change, but it's gradual. What I believe most alphabet people want is guaranteed social equity, with some wanting it regardless of social obligations. What Jawshx wants for the most part seems fair (a secure private life for him and his loved one). As far as job security goes, would you really want to work for a company that would consider your sexuality as a detriment to the company's ability to reach it's goals? This after displaying your abilities for however long you have been working for them? Sound quite immature and short-sided. And also a large HR headache.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

LGBTQ people have always been in sports, though having to hide the fact, sometimes to the fact of having opposite sex dates for the public consumption, or for hiding it from other players. It is a simple human rights issue and deserves to be seen and handled as such.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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