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Japanese Court Upholds Ban On Same-Sex Marriage
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Japan’s Ruling Party Accused Of Violating Olympic Charter Over LGBTQ Rights
The ruling conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Japan’s Parliament is opposing a bill that would protect the rights of LGBTQ athletes at the upcoming Olympic Games saying that “LGBT goes against the preservation of the human race.” From The Guardian:
Japan’s ruling party has been accused of violating the Olympic charter after it failed to approve a bill to protect the rights of the LGBT community, during discussions marred by homophobic outbursts from conservative MPs.
Closed meetings held this month to discuss a bill, proposed by opposition parties, stating that discrimination against LGBT people “must not be tolerated” ended without agreement after some Liberal Democratic party (LDP) MPs said the rights of sexual minorities had “gone too far.”
A decision on a rival LDP proposal that calls on the government to “promote understanding” of LGBT people was postponed, according to Japanese media accounts of the meetings.
A few weeks ago, an adviser to the LDP’s committee to study sexual orientation and gender identity gave a speech titled, “The LGBT issue is getting out of control.” Following the lack of an approved bill, human rights advocates say Japan deserves a “gold medal for homophobia.” Japan is the only G7 nation that does not fully recognize same-sex partnerships or marriages.
Podcast: Captain America, Japan & Marriage Equality, The LGBTQ Tribe Takes The Call
In this week’s podcast: • Japan takes a baby step towards marriage equality • A transgender student won a large settlement in his discrimination lawsuit against a school district in Minnesota • A pharmacist came to the aid of LGBTQ seniors in Brooklyn • New polling shows strong support for the Equality Act • Marvel Comics has announced a gay Captain America on the way • And the LGBTQ tribe answers the call – link to Twitter thread here. All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report podcast
Japan Court Rules Ban On Same-Sex Marriage Is Unconstitutional
For the first time, a Japanese court has ruled the country’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.
Judge Tomato Takebe of the Sapporo District Court said in his ruling, “Legal benefits stemming from marriages should equally benefit both homosexuals and heterosexuals.” Takebe added that the prohibition violates Article 14 of Japan’s constitution which bans discrimination “because of race, creed, sex, social status or family origin.”
In addition to the emotional distress of being treated like second-class citizens, same-sex couples are also financially harmed by the ban.
Without the right to marry, same-sex couples have no parental rights to children, and can’t inherit their partner’s estate (houses, property, assets). Even for couples who marry abroad, without recognition in Japan binational couples don’t have access to visas which could force them to live separately.
The court case was brought by three same-sex couples who filed their lawsuit seeking financial compensation for the challenges they’ve faced.
While the plaintiffs won on the broader issue of the right to marry, Judge Takebe declined to grant their request for financial compensation.
Attorneys for the couples say they plan to appeal the ruling in regard to the damages sought for compensation.
Today's landmark decision in Japan marks the first-ever ruling affirming the freedom to marry in the country's history! Now it's time for the National Diet to finish the job – and extend marriage to all loving families in Japan! 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/xE0g8Zhj8B
— Freedom to Marry (@freedomtomarry) March 17, 2021
The ruling doesn’t bring about any real change at this point, but with four similar lawsuits making their way through courts in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka, it’s sure to help set legal precedent.
Japan is the only member of the G7 nations (France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United States, United Kingdom, and Canada) where same-sex marriages have not become legal.
In May 2019, Taiwan became the only country in Asia to legally embrace marriage equality.
First Lady of Japan supports LGBT pride
Akie Abe, the First Lady of Japan, spoke today in support of same-sex marriage at a gay pride event sponsored by the US embassy in Tokyo:
“There is no difference to importance of love from sexual orientation. There should not be any discrimination because who you love. I am going to raise my voice. If my raised voice could contribute to the pride of LGBT people, there is no greater joy.”
Star Trek star and LGBT activist George Takei, also in attendance, had this to say:
“They have to have courage to come out and share their lives honestly,” Takei said. Once they get a ball rolling, more movement would follow, like “a ripple effect” that spreads, he added.
“So I’m optimistic. I do think that Japan will be one of the nations that have equality and that too will serve as an example for other Asian nations.”
Stranded Tsunami Dog rescued after three weeks
Bless this little guy’s heart. He has no idea what’s happened to his life and he survives three weeks on this wreckage.
The Japan disaster has been so devastating – nice to get even a small bit of good news from the area.
Dogs rule.