Japan’s First Step: Shibuya Recognizing Same-Sex Marriage

 

Japan’s First Step: Shibuya Recognizing Same-Sex Marriage 

On April 1st, 2015, Shibuya ward (in Tokyo) became the first to recognize same-sex marriage. The certification of same-sex marriage will benefit couples such as housing and hospital visitations. While this district is a small part of Japan, this was a big move in IGBTQ+ rights in the country. According to Nippon.com, Shibuya mayor Kuwahara Toshitake wanted “the creation of a diverse society, where differences are accepted” (McMahon, p. 8). In the 19th century, homosexuality was normalized among samurais, priests, etc., while Europe thought that it was sinful and a crime due to its strong sense of Christianity. But in the Meiji era, Japan wanted to adopt Western ideas, and homosexuality was later seen as an illness or abnormal thing. Without expressing interest in becoming more Westernized, homophobia would not have existed in Japan, it was all because Japan wanted to superiorize themselves by relating themselves with Europeans. It is also interesting to consider how this is compared to the US. Again, the homophobia in Japan came from Europe. Still, the US was legalizing same-sex marriage nationally while Japan, a country that used to normalize homosexuality before Western influence, has just announced its first legalization of same-sex marriage in a district. The difference in scale and how things move in different countries are interesting. 

Citations:

“Tokyo Ward Shibuya Certifies Same-Sex Partnerships.” BBC News, BBC, 31 Mar. 2015, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32130599. 

“Rainbow in the East: LGBT Rights in Japan.” Nippon.Com, 1 July 2023, www.nippon.com/en/currents/d00174/?cx_recs_click=true. 

“Signs of Growing Acceptance for Japan’s Gay Community.” Nippon.Com, 1 July 2023, www.nippon.com/en/nipponblog/m00074/?cx_recs_click=true.

The Misses Become Medames: The Secret Marriage of Former Miss Argentina and Former Miss Puerto Rico

Here's the link to my artifact!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkUOoo_glwy/ 

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

Here's the link to my blog!

https://qlewisfys6.blogspot.com/2023/11/the-misses-become-medames-secret.html

SCOTUS To Consider Transgender Bathroom Ban (& More!)

 Openly gay legal reporter Chris Geidner is reporting that the Supreme Court of the United States will be considering a number of important cases for trans equality in the 2023-2024 term.

Here are some of the issues which the highest Court in the land will be deliberating on in the not too-distant future regarding transgender rights:

Bathroom bans

In addition to the Idaho case at the Ninth Circuit, however, a case out of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit could actually make bigger headlines. The Martinsville school district in Indiana, in a petition filed by Paul Clement, has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the matter in a case challenging the district’s ban.

Gender-affirming care bans

In short, whether it comes quickly or slightly less quickly, state bans on gender-affirming medical care for minors will be headed to the Supreme Court within the coming year. (Note also that Florida’s ban — and litigation — also includes restrictions on adult care, as detailed in the recent class certification in a challenge to the ban there.)

Sports bans

The final major area of transgender-related litigation making its way through the courts are sports bans. And, on Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit held oral arguments over West Virginia’s law banning trans girls and women from girls and women’s school sports teams.

Anti-drag laws

In short, while anti-drag laws are unlikely to make their way to the Supreme Court’s docket this term, there will be a ruling on the scope of Florida’s injunction pending appeal sometime in November. Depending on how that’s resolved, moreover, it could tell us some information about how the court is looking at these efforts.

This is just another example of the ongoing nature of the fight for LGBT equality occurring in the courts, even in the post-Obergefell era.