Yuko INOUE
Co-ordinator for Japan, Japan-UK LGBT Youth Exchange Project
ICU Center for Gender Studies
【The article below is the same as the article that appears in the tenth issue of the CGS Newsletter.】
The situation for LGBTs has seen great change in the last five years. In the UK, legislation has been passed to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation and same-sex couples have been granted similar legal rights to those of heterosexual married couples. In Japan, an assembly member has publicly come out as a lesbian and there are many LGBT groups which are becoming more and more active.
Yet, are questioning LGBT youth finding it easier to access information or meet people to help them understand their sexuality? The answer is no. In fact, they are more liable to be exposed to negative information concerning homosexuality or the transgression of gender norms, so it is still difficult for them to accept themselves as they are. This kind of negative information and the lack of support for LGBT youth in education is becoming the largest hotbed for bullying due to homophobia and transgender abhorrence. In both Japan and the UK, many LGBT youth are the victims of bullying, and some are pushed to the point of contemplating or actually attempting suicide. At the same time, there are many LGBT youth who are struggling in their respective ways and situations to overcome these difficulties and transform the prejudice into understanding. In the movement to create a society that protects the rights of not only LGBT but people we cannot ignore the infinite possibilities that this type of initiative holds.
In light of these circumstances, CGS and the Bristol City Council Youth and Play Services have joined forces to create the Japan-UK LGBT Youth Exchange Project, in order to help LGBT youth share their hardships and to further promote their activities. This project aims to create opportunities for young people to meet in face-to-face interaction - LGBTs, those who are unsure of their sexuality or gender orientations, and those who are friendly towards LGBTs. Through this exchange we would specifically like to create the following types of sessions:
1. A space where LGBT youth and LGBT-friendly youth from Japan and the UK can enjoy meeting each other.
2. A space where each can learn about the other’s country, culture, society, and lifestyles through online and face-to-face interaction.
3. A space where questioning LGBT youth can support each other through the sharing of their experiences and feelings.
4. A space where LGBT and other youth can transcend cultural differences and jointly convey a message to society.
5. A space where youths can initiate proposals to support LGBT youth in society.
In August 2008, we invited seven young people from Bristol to Japan for interactive workshops and open events. In 2009, a visit of young Japanese people to Bristol is planned. We hope to continue these interactions between Japan and the UK, with our long-term aims being to help build a foundation for LGBT youth interaction on an international scale.
We are hoping to further increase (OR broaden OR improve) our support for LGBT youth. Your participation and support would be invaluable. For information on the project and further details on how to get involved, please access http://subsite.icu.ac.jp/cgs/. We look forward to hearing from you!