News Release：Embassies demonstrate support for Japan’s LGBT community（4/22）

Embassies demonstrate support for Japan’s LGBT community

Tokyo Rainbow Pride has invited several embassies in Tokyo to celebrate the diversity of the LGBT community by participating in The World Supports You, our project showcasing international support for our next event on 28th April 2013. The participating countries include Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Israel, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Like us, these countries understand that LGBT rights are human rights. Each will host an exhibition within our International Row of booths, displaying their national flags and sharing information about what it is like to be LGBT in their home country. The aims of this project are firmly grounded in three key points:

Providing support

The embassies involved will express their support for the LGBT community in Japan by participating in Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2013 and talking about LGBT rights in their own countries. We firmly believe that the issue of human rights transcends international borders and we are delighted to work with the embassies in talking about the situation worldwide.

Spreading awareness

Each embassy will greet thousands of parade attendees and discuss their country's progress in responding to the needs of their LGBT citizens. Embassies will also offer information on the history of LGBT issues in their own countries and recommend travel destinations.

Building connections

International participation provides a unique chance for us to build connections between community organisations in Japan and abroad. We believe that changing perceptions is best achieved when we work together on an international scale. We hope that this project will help spread awareness of the progress that is being made worldwide.