Conchita Wurst promotes gay rights in Japan

[Melech 9,900]

"Cross-dressing diva Conchita Wurst is in Tokyo on Thursday for a low-key meeting with the mayor of the trendy Shibuya district, which is set to become the first Japanese municipality to recognise same-s-x partnership.

But the event, which could have helped create momentum for the gay rights movement in Japan, took place behind closed doors, with officials from the liberal council blocking reporters and putting their hands in front of cameras.

AFP reporters waiting to see her outside Shibuya City Hall were barred from getting near Conchita as she was guided into a van.

Shibuya's media blackout stood in marked contrast to the attitude of the Eurovision Song Contest winner, who tweeted in Japanese about her meeting with the mayor.

"Today I visited Tokyo's Shibuya City Hall, where the council decided to certify gay partnership as equal to marital status for the first time in Japan," she tweeted in Japanese with a photo of her meeting with the mayor. Soon afterwards she also wrote the same message in English.

The bearded lady's visit came after Shibuya assembly members voted to allow their officials to start giving out the "partnership" certificate for gay couples, the first such recognition of same-s-x unions in Japan.

The certificate will carry only symbolic significance, since the Japanese constitution identifies marriage as a union based on mutual consent of the parties from "both s-xes".

Shibuya officials say they will encourage hospitals and landlords to accept the certificate to try to ensure same-s-x couples receive similar treatment to people who are married.

A city spokesman said there had been no intention to keep Conchita's rendezvous with the mayor a secret.

"Since it was their first meeting, the mayor wanted to see her quietly to build a trusting relationship for the future," he said.

Asked what the European celebrity and mayor Ken Hasebe talked about in the 30-minute meeting, the official said it was "just a casual greeting." "They also talked about how the new system came to a vote in the council," he added.

While Japan is largely tolerant of homos-xuality, there is no specific legal protection for gay people, who complain that they may be prevented from visiting sick loved ones in hospitals or may be refused a tenancy because their relationship is not recognised.

Thursday's meeting came a day after around 450 people from s-xual minorities appealed to the Japan Federation of Bar Associations to support their call to legalise same-s-x unions.

Shibuya, famous globally for its "scramble crossing", is a liberal-leaning part of Tokyo and home to trendy cafes, bars and nightlife popular with younger people."

http://www.thelocal.at/20150709/austrias-conchita-promotes-gay-rights-in-japan

 

Conchita the european global queen of everything

 

[Didymus 34,380]

Well, if it's just symbolic I hope it will be enough. But nice move.

[Sugarfall 3,723]

Am I the only one who hates when everyone calls her 'the bearded lady?' THAT is what causes confusion on Conchita  

[LoveandMagic 1,731]

Small steps can lead to long strides. For some reason I thought Japan was a bit more accepting toward same-s-x couples, but at least they are making efforts.

[SissyFromSpace 20,884]

Thank God! Japan needs this. I think gays can get married in Japan but no1 ever does anything about it. There's men in their 30s that still havent came out b/c of their parents.

[retroglamx 5,177]

Am I the only one who hates when everyone calls her 'the bearded lady?' THAT is what causes confusion on Conchita  

But she is a bearded lady right?

[Sugarfall 3,723]

But she is a bearded lady right?

A biological woman could never have a beard like that and neither could a transgender one on hormones. Conchita is a drag queen= MAN in women's clothing for performing and that's why she can grow a beard. So no, she isn't a bearded lady.

[ItsTommyBitch 12,640]

Thank God! Japan needs this. I think gays can get married in Japan but no1 ever does anything about it. There's men in their 30s that still havent came out b/c of their parents.

Same-Sex Marriage isn't illegal in Japan, but its just not a thing that people do  Gay men often end up marrying women as covers (though sometimes the women know  )

 

[retroglamx 5,177]

A biological woman could never have a beard like that and neither could a transgender one on hormones. Conchita is a drag queen= MAN in women's clothing for performing and that's why she can grow a beard. So no, she isn't a bearded lady.

OOOOOOHHHH I didn't know he was a drag. I always thought he was trans. Pardon my ignorance. 

[Andy McQueen 4,484]

She posted many pictures of her encounters in Japan on her official Facebook page, it's so amazing!

https://www.facebook.com/ConchitaWurst 

The mayor greeted her and everything.  

There is still a lot of work to do to get equal rights everywhere and stop homophobia for once and all, but I do believe it will get better!