The sixteenth issue of the CGS Newsletter is now available both in print and online. Click the URL to download the PDF version.
CGS Newsletter 016 (PDF, 3.1MB)
Contents of the CGS Newsletter 016
Kazuko TANAKA
CGS Director
[The article below is the same as the article that appears in the sixteenth issue of the CGS Newsletter.]
It has now been 10 years since I first became involved in setting up CGS in 2003. CGS started as a friendly, open space for communication among people with a shared interest in gender and sexuality. In my view, it has served as a catalyst for "chemical reactions" with the crackling collisions of ideas and emotions of people both within and outside the university. I am bewildered by how much I have been inspired by this powerful space myself. In this article, I will discuss three ongoing chemical reactions within my own psyche that were sparked by my involvement in CGS activities.
First, I am increasingly aware of how the system of gender discrimination is interlinked with the male/female dichotomy and heterosexual norms. It may seem obvious, but gender discrimination cannot be discussed today without considering these two related issues. Theories of gender disparities based on preconceived ideas about the sexual division of labor take for granted the male/female dichotomy and the cohesiveness of the modern heterosexual nuclear family. These norms must be challenged and scrutinized in any debate of gender inequality, regardless of the issues pertaining to gender identity or sexual orientation.
Theories and debates in gender studies have, until recently, been based on the assumption of heterosexuals and "cisgender" men and women, that is, those whose gender at birth matches their self-perception. Yet, gender discrimination is concerned with discrimination against any gender, not just women. It encompasses gender minorities, who feel uncomfortable with the gender assigned to them at birth and are discriminated against based on the male/ female dichotomy that prescribes one as either a woman or a man. It also encompasses sexual minorities, who suffer discrimination for falling outside the heteronormative models of sexuality.
Second, I emphasize the importance of bringing those people who are being excluded to the center, not driving them to the periphery. There are inevitable limitations in advocating for gender equality using heterosexual cisgender men as the standard in society. Why don't we challenge the system of gender discrimination by shifting the standard to those people who are engaged in unpaid housework and child rearing or to those people who fall outside the heteronormative framework? What kind of social system would we require then? It is important for us to consider changing the focus and perspective of our debate in this way.
Third, I wish to highlight the responsibility of the "majority." It is often said that minorities themselves must speak up and fight for their own rights. The powerful cannot speak for the powerless, but the majority should be aware that they are complicit in creating the excluded, invisible minority and subject this to scrutiny and debate. Heterosexuals need to think about the system of discrimination against non-heterosexuals and cisgenders should consider the problem of discrimination against gender minorities. Indeed, it is the primary responsibility of the excluders to consider how the excluded can make their voices heard.
As for you, my readers, what kind of chemical reactions have you experienced and where have you done so? I encourage you to feel free to share those precious ideas, hopes and aspirations that are nestled in your heart.
[Special Feature: Looking Toward CGS's 10th Anniversary]
CGS editorial comittee
[The article below is the same as the article that appears in the sixteenth issue of the CGS Newsletter.]
CGS first opened its doors in April 2004 in Room 301 of the Education and Research Building I (ERB-I) at ICU. We look back at some of the milestones in our journey, ahead of our tenth anniversary next April. (Names and affiliations in this article are those current at the time of the events listed.)
[Special Feature: Looking Toward CGS's 10th Anniversary]
Natsumi IKOMA
steering committee member, CGS
[The article below is the same as the article that appears in the sixteenth issue of the CGS Newsletter.]
The ICU nursing room opened in May 2012. CGS steering committee member Natsumi Ikoma, who is a registered user herself, discusses the development of the nursing room and its future prospects.
[Special Feature: Looking Toward CGS's 10th Anniversary]
Ryoko MITSUHASHI
Department of Health and Physical Education, ICU
[The article below is the same as the article that appears in the sixteenth issue of the CGS Newsletter.]
From 2013, CGS staff commenced collaboration on a guest lecture series titled, "Sexual Health Issues," as part of the college-wide course "Health Education" at ICU. The subject co-ordinator, Professor Ryoko Mitsuhashi of the Department of Health and Physical Education, reports here on the motivations and aims of this lecture series.
[Special Feature: Looking Toward CGS's 10th Anniversary]
Miho MATSUZAKI
CGS research institute assistant, CGS
[The article below is the same as the article that appears in the sixteenth issue of the CGS Newsletter.]
Miho Matsuzaki is one of the many research institute assistants (RIAs) who are involved in the day-to-day operations at CGS. As a postgraduate student with some experience in the workforce, she shares her thoughts on how CGS has influenced her life so far.
[Special Feature: Looking Toward CGS's 10th Anniversary]
Izumi NIKI
staff member, Support House Jomu, NPO
[The article below is the same as the article that appears in the sixteenth issue of the CGS Newsletter.]
We are fortunate to have former RIAs who continue to be involved in our activities in various ways. One former RIA, Izumi Niki, tells us about her experience at CGS and how she applies it in her life today.
[Special Feature: Looking Toward CGS's 10th Anniversary]
Yudai SHIMIZU
ICU graduate (ID 05)
[The article below is the same as the article that appears in the sixteenth issue of the CGS Newsletter.]
ICU graduates often tell us that the knowledge and experience gained through their involvement in CGS activities have proved invaluable in their life after university. One graduate, Yudai Shimizu, shares his experiences as a founding member of ICU's LGBIT club Sumposion.
[Special Feature: Looking Toward CGS's 10th Anniversary]
Akiru IIDA
ICU graduate (ID 04)
[The article below is the same as the article that appears in the sixteenth issue of the CGS Newsletter.]
In 2003 ICU granted students with gender dysphoria the right to change their name and gender on their school records. This breakthrough is largely attributed to Akiru Iida, the student who first called for this change. Akiru shares his experience with an important message for current and future ICU students.
[Special Feature: Looking Toward CGS's 10th Anniversary]
Shingo HORI
graduate student, Waseda University; RIA, CGS
[The article below is the same as the article that appears in the sixteenth issue of the CGS Newsletter.]
The CGS-initiative R-Week is an action-packed week of events to promote awareness of gender and sexuality issues on campus. R-Week project leader and RIA Shingo Hori reviews the first annual R-Week, which was held at ICU from June 3 to 8, 2013.
[Special Feature: Looking Toward CGS's 10th Anniversary]
Naoko TAKAYAMA
counselor, Support House Jomu, NPO
[The article below is the same as the article that appears in the sixteenth issue of the CGS Newsletter.]
Naoko Takayama is a counselor at the women's support organization Support House Jomu. Over the years she has been involved in a number of CGS activities, such as teaching the "Self-Respect Workshop" in 2008 and writing articles for our newsletter. She shares her views on CGS here.
[Special Feature: Looking Toward CGS's 10th Anniversary]
Miho OKADA
director, RC-NET
[The article below is the same as the article that appears in the sixteenth issue of the CGS Newsletter.]
Miho Okada, the director of RC-NET (Rape Crisis Network), was one of the speakers at the CGS symposium "Overcoming Hardships with Bonds between 'Women'" in March 2013. She shares her ideas and hopes for collaboration between CGS and NPOs like RC-NET.
[Special Feature: Looking Toward CGS's 10th Anniversary]
Akira SHIMADA
filmmaker; Executive Director, Rainbow Action
[The article below is the same as the article that appears in the sixteenth issue of the CGS Newsletter.]
Rainbow Action Executive Director and filmmaker Akira Shimada wrote an article titled, "My Future as an Ordinary Gay Man," under the pseudonym "Akaboshi" for the seventh issue of our newsletter. Since then he has participated in a number of our events, including three of our film screenings. In this issue, he shares his personal thoughts and hopes for the future direction of CGS.
[Special Feature: Looking Toward CGS's 10th Anniversary]
Mameta ENDO
organizer, Idaho-net; co-director, White Ribbon Campaign
[The article below is the same as the article that appears in the sixteenth issue of the CGS Newsletter.]
Mameta Endo first came to CGS at around the same time as Akira Shimada. Mameta has helped set up Rainbow College, an intercollegiate network for sexual minorities, and also participated in the CGS-sponsored Japan-UK LGBT Youth Exchange Project. Mameta writes here about his own unique perspective on CGS.
[Special Feature: Looking Toward CGS's 10th Anniversary]
Junko HIBIYA
President, ICU
(Interviewers/Compilers: Kazuko Tanaka and Yuji Kato)
[The article below is the same as the article that appears in the sixteenth issue of the CGS Newsletter.]
The (program in) Gender and Sexuality Studies (pGSS) was originally established as an interdivisional major in April 2005 and is now one of 31 majors at ICU. ICU's current president, Junko Hibiya, was instrumental in designing the program. This report was compiled based on an interview in which she discussed the position of pGSS within ICU's liberal arts curriculum and the vital role CGS plays in supporting the program.