In October 2018, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government adopted the ordinance on banning discrimination against the LGBT+ in accordance to the Tokyo Olympic Charter, which aims to protect human rights. For a major prefecture, implementing the ordinance, which declares a ban on LGBT discrimination for the first time, is ground-breaking. The ordinance might have stipulated a ban against LGBT discrimination, but there remains an inconsistency. Even now, many LGBT citizens still cannot obtain their proof of partnership. They are still unable to live together under municipal housing. Concerned citizens and experts have voiced their disappointment over poor implementation.
Seiko Kazawa, who is living with her girlfriend of the same age in Kodaira City, said, "We are not recognized as a family, so we hit a lot of walls. One of them is not having the option to rent municipal housing." This is their 13th year of living together. They were looking to get into municipal housing when they were moving out, but once they understood that they could not do it because they were a lesbian couple, they gave up on it.
Recently, applying for a joint credit card has also felt like another roadblock. The local government has issued instructions on how to get the proof of partnership, but since Kodaira City does not have the partnership system in place, the documents that prove their relationship and their status as a family are under investigation. "We wouldn't have to go through this kind of trouble, if we were a heterosexual couple, or if the government had the partnership system properly in place." Ms. Kazawa said.
The prefectures of Ibaraki and Osaka have already introduced the same system. July 1st will mark the first year since the partnership system began in Ibaraki. Since then, 33 same-sex couples went under oath. The number of municipalities that take care of LGBT families when moving into public housing has increased to 21. The number of hospitals that allow signing waivers for surgeries and such has also increased to 28. Because of its implementation, the circle of understanding widens, together with the government and its people.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government ordinance, as the name suggests, was established because Tokyo is the host city of the Olympics. During the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, Russia prohibited any public expression of the LGBT community and established a ban against 'homosexual propaganda.' Because of these, the leaders of every Western country criticized Russia and boycotted the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics. Moreover, they included the prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation into the Olympics Charter. (From then on, the host city must put policies in place that will eliminate discrimination against LGBT people.)
The ordinance clearly states that, "any government official, citizen, and worker, should not be treated unjustly because of their gender identity and/or sexual orientation." The basic premise may be to spread awareness and to encourage understanding of LGBT issues. However, the administration offers no help or countermeasures, even though the Human Rights Division has a consultation counter. Regarding same-sex couples moving into municipal housing, the section manager replied that "it was still under examination."
The same-sex partnership system was brought up in the Metropolitan General Affairs Committee meeting last March. The head of the Human Rights Division repeated that "issues on marriage require an extensive debate," and showed signs of reluctance regarding the system.
Workers in Tokyo are demanding the government for equal rights to employee benefits and adopting the same employee welfare policies that places like Chiba City and Setagaya District established for those who have already obtained their proof of partnership.
An expert on discrimination ban laws and the deputy chief researcher from the Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training, Shinobu Naitou emphasized, "Public awareness and discussions are important, but we can't have that as the only basis to pass the ordinance on banning discrimination. Being able to air grievances and having an action plan with the guidance and order of the administration are needed."
Ms. Kazawa has been serving as a director for the non-profit organization called "Rainbow Community" (coLLabo), which is an organization for lesbians and queer women, for more than 10 years. In the recent years, while LGBT issues have been more visible, and evaluating the policies introduced to address the hardships of the community is possible, there are still more things to work on. "If Tokyo brings about change, its influence will be huge. I want to change our education regarding LGBT issues. Please listen more to the voices of the LGBT community," Ms. Kazawa said.
The Tokyo prefectural governor election is on July 5. Please vote for the next prefectural governor who will support the partnership system and implement equal municipal housing.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government ordinance, as the name suggests, was established because Tokyo is the host city of the Olympics. During the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, Russia prohibited any public expression of the LGBT community and established a ban against 'homosexual propaganda.' Because of these, the leaders of every Western country criticized Russia and boycotted the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics. Moreover, they included the prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation into the Olympics Charter. (From then on, the host city must put policies in place that will eliminate discrimination against LGBT people.)
The ordinance clearly states that, "any government official, citizen, and worker, should not be treated unjustly because of their gender identity and/or sexual orientation." The basic premise may be to spread awareness and to encourage understanding of LGBT issues. However, the administration offers no help or countermeasures, even though the Human Rights Division has a consultation counter. Regarding same-sex couples moving into municipal housing, the section manager replied that "it was still under examination."
The same-sex partnership system was brought up in the Metropolitan General Affairs Committee meeting last March. The head of the Human Rights Division repeated that "issues on marriage require an extensive debate," and showed signs of reluctance regarding the system.
Workers in Tokyo are demanding the government for equal rights to employee benefits and adopting the same employee welfare policies that places like Chiba City and Setagaya District established for those who have already obtained their proof of partnership.
An expert on discrimination ban laws and the deputy chief researcher from the Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training, Shinobu Naitou emphasized, "Public awareness and discussions are important, but we can't have that as the only basis to pass the ordinance on banning discrimination. Being able to air grievances and having an action plan with the guidance and order of the administration are needed."
Ms. Kazawa has been serving as a director for the non-profit organization called "Rainbow Community" (coLLabo), which is an organization for lesbians and queer women, for more than 10 years. In the recent years, while LGBT issues have been more visible, and evaluating the policies introduced to address the hardships of the community is possible, there are still more things to work on. "If Tokyo brings about change, its influence will be huge. I want to change our education regarding LGBT issues. Please listen more to the voices of the LGBT community," Ms. Kazawa said.
The Tokyo prefectural governor election is on July 5. Please vote for the next prefectural governor who will support the partnership system and implement equal municipal housing.
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