Ayaka Nunokawa - Gender Minorities and LGBT People: How Do They and How Have They Lived Comfortably?

3. LGBT and Another Minority

Present Condition of LGBT Refugees

In my last presentation, I focused on Japanese law development and education on LGBT people. I think that I learned to understand Japan's current situation. And this time, I changed the point of view and thought that I would try to see as people who live as minorities. Spot the refugees who are LGBT.

There are many people called "minorities" in the world. Including LGBT, people living in ethnic minorities, street children, religious followers, people with disabilities, single-parent families, etc. There are many people who are listed as minorities than we think. There is a possibility that they exist only by noticing their surroundings. This time, it is linked with the refugees that are considered to be a large number among them.I did not know that there were refugee LGBT people before I examined. I didn't think there was anything more to say. The daily life problems of people called refugees have become overrepresented. So I did not get enough to focus on such a mental part. There was nothing I could not do if I thought carefully, but it seemed disappointing that my shallow thoughts had produced stereotypes.Even so, there are few people who can say clearly that they are LGBT in the census of Japan. So there are people who are said to be refugees, and I do not know how many people have refugees LGBT. There is no doubt that you are more than you think.

Crime in Central America

It is known that in Central America it is treated quite badly. In particular, there are three countries: El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. These are countries that originally had world-class crime rates. Many people living in such places are subject to collective violence, crime and discrimination by Center For American Progress. Looking more closely, 136 LGBT refugees were evacuated from the country in 2012-2016 in El Salvador. In Honduras, 264 people were killed in 2009 -2016. Since this data is also at least a number, and there should be parts that can not be investigated, it is considered that this number is not limited to this number. This alone is a very painful fact.Furthermore, it is tempting to remember that most of these sins have not been punished. Originally, the security was not good, and although the police did not stop functioning, it seems that they did not keep up with the processing of incidents that occur like daily breakouts. Because there is such a thing, everyone wants to go north America. The UNHCR is also concerned about the decline in life expectancy of these Latin American countries and man-made reductions. I want you to be a presence that only holds as a country.

LGBT Refugees in Africa

On the other hand, there is such a country. A parade to claim LGBT rights at Kakuma Refugee Camp was held June in last year according to organization of rainbow life(レインボーライフ).

It is relatively new news. It is the first time this kind of parade has been held at a refugee camp, and I feel that we have taken a major step globally. It was supposed that about 200 people actually got together, and they handed out the Rainbow Flag as presence of LGBT. When I also saw that this became news on YouTube, I felt a very bright air with a kind of festive atmosphere. Every June is called "Pride Month" and parades are held around the world. In the first place, people living in a difficult situation may have gathered together with the same feelings. I would like to commend those who tried to do it locally. It must have been encouraging for people living in completely different environments. It is impressive that everyone involved in the video of this parade took the lead and had fun participating.

Acceptance of LGBT Refugees in Japan

Japan also had timely and big news. On the 2nd of this month, it was discovered that Japan accepted LGBT refugees according to Asahi Shinbun Desital. It seems that he accepted a person who was considered to be threatened to be persecuted in his home country because of homosexuality. It is said that homosexuality was subject to criminal punishment in his home country.Personal information has not been disclosed at all. According to the Immigration Control Agency, the person has been homosexual in his home country and has been imprisoned for two years before coming to Japan during bail. This is the case for applying for refugee status for the first time. Japan also reviewed it a bit if it finally took action. We want you to work on understanding action by opportunity this time.

Although several cases have been mentioned, it is clear that the treatment of LGBT refugees in different parts of the world is completely different. In addition, we can see that we are dealing with difficulties for understanding until now, or even in places where there was no place, we gradually change in a positive direction. I am very happy. I think that there are areas and environments where it is still difficult to live, but I think it would be better to change in stages.

4. Gender minorities and Japanese custom

In this cycle 3, I researched about gender minorities and Japanese customs. Since the first semester, focused on LGBT people mainly. However, I regarded as not LGBT people but gender minorities this time, to connect with Buddhist and Shintoism.My main question is that why changed relationships to gender minorities between Buddhism and Shintoism? I have known that the past people mainly Samurai were loved in man each other. So, we accept gender minorities gradually at last now. But why is there homosexuality in the period ? Is it that recognized ? I’m interested in this topic.

Reasons of Trend in Sengoku Period.

In conclusion, Buddhism does not accept gender minorities while it hasn’t changed since long ago. But Shintoism accepted them in a short term. The difference was made by each idea.

We focus on “toujisya”(当事者) . That’s main answer and understanding this time. In Sengoku period, many famous generals were living like we know . For example, Date Masamune, Oda Nobunaga, Takeda Shingen and so on... It is said that they were loved with men everybody. The reason of trendy were various things. First is generals and ails lived in together, so relationship is important. Ails hope to be success in life and generals treat them with kindness. That means to be favored by generals and to reject the relationship difficultly. Two is generals and ails were couldn’t living without women while a war. They feel sad not to see their wife or women. Men wanted man to have the relationship. Last is the way to express power of unity each other. At that time, a war needed unity and good communication to win their rivals . So, they have to have better relationships. These three reason are mainly important for this issue.

Religional support for gender minorities