Japan vs West: Japan is less homophoic

[numanbie]

Growing up, I always though Japan was generally accepted as being more liberal and forward on homosexuality than western states. Marraige aside (which I neither care about, nor think is homophobic), I've always found the Asian side of the internet to be far less homophobic, and I've also found that Japan has more LGBT culture than all the west combined!

 

It's just my view and it's been my view for a very long time, I always blame pro-euro claims on sexual racism/fetishism.

 

I feel let down by western culture, and I've found far more help in asian culture with my LGBT problems (most of it coming from Japan). imo the west is more like Taiwan, while Tokyo is slightly better.

 

Does no-one not find Japanese culture to be liberating? I understand that there's a large country/city divide in Japan, but I personally know it's the same in Europe, and probably worse in the USA.

 

 

http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/960633-the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword/61173388

http://www.animenation.net/forums/showthread.php?t=247643

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091223221516AAw5Yjy

 

I'm finding it hard to get sources on this topic. I've learnt not to trust media articles on this because I do actualy find asian culture to be far better.

 

[♔Nippon Girl♥]

actually homophobic come because of religion because in most religions homosexual is sin and god forbidden it so most people against it , in japan case , japan doesn't have religion , homophobic came after japan became exposed to western culture and religion .

 

if you look at japan history their alot of homosexual people that didn't even need to come out cuz it wasn't considered abnormal thing back then .

 

source

 

 

[iv7]

"feel let down by western culture" lists sites like gamefaqs

 

is this a joke

[Blonde Jeonghan]

Well it makes sense because homophobia came from organized religion like someone posted already...

 

I agree with you that Japan culture seems so nice and welcoming. My friend is living there right now for college and she says it's amazing, and the people are wonderful and you really feel free and enjoy your life in a place like Japan.

[Ash Ketchum]

"feel let down by western culture" lists sites like gamefaqs

 

is this a joke

 

And Yahoo answers......

 

OP, I guess Japan is preferable if you want your sexuality to be a dirty little secret, never marry, and have no legal protection against discrimination.

[Qri]

I think one key problem with Japan's general perception of the LGBT community is that they tend to not differentiate between different groups. For example, a lot of them don't know the difference between being gay and being transgender, they just assume it's the same thing. I think in Japan's case, because this homophobia is not anchored down by religious beliefs, all it really requires is more exposure and educating people from a young age to get rid of the social stigma and misinterpretations.

[424]

And Yahoo answers......

 

OP, I guess Japan is preferable if you want your sexuality to be a dirty little secret, never marry, and have no legal protection against discrimination.

[mgl]

To an outsider, it seems like it's an unique situation, as in depictions of homosexuality, cross-dressing and transgenders happen in the media and are seemingly accepted, but somehow I doubt you'll see gay or lesbian couples kissing out in the open, or just doing regular couple stuff. And not to mention there are no anti-discrimination laws and they can't get married or legally seen as a couple yet.

[lordKEN]

As mentioned by another poster, a lot of homosexuality comes from religion and in Japan, they practice religion but it does not influence their way of life/lifestyles. Also, Japanese people generally don't believe in calling out others. They also believe in living in harmony. From what I know, kids in Japan are taught since pre-school about teamwork and depending on others and individualism is looked down upon. So they were taught to work together and accept one another from a young age. I'm sure that played a part in teaching them to accept one another and not judge others

[numanbie]

And Yahoo answers......

 

OP, I guess Japan is preferable if you want your sexuality to be a dirty little secret, never marry, and have no legal protection against discrimination.

 

I disagree with you on the basis that I have practically 'lived' and immersed myself in Japanese culture. Most people I've met enjoy Japan's gay culture, I have only come across homopboia four times (compared to the zillion times in the west) and none of them from the youth.

 

No-one keeps it a little dirty secret  (in the cities anyway). I don't care about marraige, and a good deal of men don't care as well. And I've understood than gays don't need protection in Japan - I think a lot of them are successful. I remember that even a decade ago, there were gay men 'out' in sport (traditionally super homophobic).

 

Though my argument is more about western culture vs Japanese culture.

[numanbie]

To an outsider, it seems like it's an unique situation, as in depictions of homosexuality, cross-dressing and transgenders happen in the media and are seemingly accepted, but somehow I doubt you'll see gay or lesbian couples kissing out in the open, or just doing regular couple stuff. And not to mention there are no anti-discrimination laws and they can't get married or legally seen as a couple yet.

 

No. I've been there.  They are quite open. I get shitloads of comments, images and videos from the Japanese side of the internet too (in the 'straught' areas),

 

I've always thought Japan was better and still do.

[iv7]

I disagree with you on the basis that I have practically 'lived' and immersed myself in Japanese culture. 

 

Though my argument is more about western culture vs Japanese culture.

 

Do you even live in Japan? Because if you did, why do you need Gamefaqs + Yahoo Answers?

 

You're comparing Western culture v. Japanese culture in a pretty specific area...

[numanbie]

Do you even live in Japan? Because if you did, why do you need Gamefaqs + Yahoo Answers?

 

You're comparing Western culture v. Japanese culture in a pretty specific area...

 

I used to.

 

By specific, what do you mean?

[iv7]

I used to.

 

By specific, what do you mean?

 

because you're thinking japanese culture is better than western culture only because of acceptance of LGBT lol

[AdzPower]

You've just compared one country to half the world, so fair.

[numanbie]

because you're thinking japanese culture is better than western culture only because of acceptance of LGBT lol

 

But what about the culture? Apart from film (Europe has a tradition of film-making on low budgets), Japan has a far more larger and diverse entertainment industry.

[numanbie]

You've just compared one country to half the world, so fair.

 

You've just compared one country to half the world, so fair.

 

But I'm saying Japan is better!

[iv7]

But what about the culture? Apart from film (Europe has a tradition of film-making on low budgets), Japan has a far more larger and diverse entertainment industry.

 

japan also has a lot of maid cafes and young 13-15 girls doing near-pornographic pictorials. is this also better?

japan also stereotypes pretty hard on black people and sometimes doesn't really accept foreigners. this also better too?

 

like come on, you're comparing a country to many countries in a small point lol. but grats if you found a place where you feel more accepted and has a culture you like lol

[numanbie]

japan also has a lot of maid cafes and young 13-15 girls doing near-pornographic pictorials. is this also better?

Japan is a more liberal country, in Europe there's also a lot of stuff like this but it's kept in the shadows and 'overlooked' by police.

 

IMO, children should have the freedom to choose after a certain age but they shouldn't feel pressured into doing anything.

 

 

japan also stereotypes pretty hard on black people and sometimes doesn't really accept foreigners. this also better too?

I kinda think it's funny?!? IDK, I love Japan and I've never found it to be a problem. It's selling something unique (LGBT culture).

 

 

like come on, you're comparing a country to many countries in a small point lol. but grats if you found a place where you feel more accepted and has a culture you like lol

It's because I keep coming across posts slandering asians and asian culture for being homophobic, while I'm sitting here thinking Japan is the best place to grow up gay!

[nugu]

japan also has a lot of maid cafes and young 13-15 girls doing near-pornographic pictorials. is this also better?

japan also stereotypes pretty hard on black people and sometimes doesn't really accept foreigners. this also better too?

 

like come on, you're comparing a country to many countries in a small point lol. but grats if you found a place where you feel more accepted and has a culture you like lol

on the other hand, i'd say you're far less likely to be assaulted or killed for being black in Japan than you are in America. Funny how supposed "all-accepting, multicultural countries" are so much more racially hostile than asian countries. Better? Subjective at best.

 

the age of consent is a cultural idea and has varied throughout history and across cultures.

 

why are all these people who have never even been to Japan lecturing this person who's lived there about basing your impressions off of media? You guys are the ones who are judging a country you have no experience with based on what you THINK you know about it. pressed westerners just can't take.

[fgt]

lgbt being summarised with '(gay)' though

 

on the other hand, i'd say you're far less likely to be assaulted or killed for being black in Japan than you are in America. Funny how supposed "all-accepting, multicultural countries" are so much more racially hostile than asian countries. Better? Subjective at best.

the age of consent is a cultural idea and has varied throughout history and across cultures.

why are all these people who have never even been to Japan lecturing this person who's lived there about basing your impressions off of media? You guys are the ones who are judging a country you have no experience with based on what you THINK you know about it. pressed westerners just can't take.

 

^

[h0neanias]

What, pray tell, is "the West"? Is it Russia? Ukraine? Poland? Italy? Germany? France? Sweden? The Netherlands? There is far greater difference between some of those countries in terms of LGBT acceptance than between the U.S. and Japan.

[frozentear]

I disagree with you on the basis that I have practically 'lived' and immersed myself in Japanese culture. Most people I've met enjoy Japan's gay culture, I have only come across homopboia four times (compared to the zillion times in the west) and none of them from the youth.

 

No-one keeps it a little dirty secret  (in the cities anyway). I don't care about marraige, and a good deal of men don't care as well. And I've understood than gays don't need protection in Japan - I think a lot of them are successful. I remember that even a decade ago, there were gay men 'out' in sport (traditionally super homophobic).

 

Though my argument is more about western culture vs Japanese culture.

 

I think Japan do need protection laws for discrimination against LGBT people. I remember reading a blog not too long ago about this woman who got fired because she is a lesbian and her boss saying she was disgusting. Let's say Japan is less homophobic than the west, it doesn't mean there aren't homophobes out there who wouldn't fire someone because of their sexual orientation. For the same sex marriage thing in your previous post, just because you and some other men don't care about it, doesn't mean other LGBT people don't. I'm pretty sure there are some gay men/women in Japan who would love to marry their partner of several years and maybe even adopt a kid. It would be nice for them to have that right, but it seems it is not going to happen any time soon.

 

As for the "dirty little secret" thing, yes, a good number of gay/lesbian people do keep it a secret (even in the cities) and even marry the opposite sex and have children. To live a so called "normal" life...to do what is "expected" of them by their parents and society.

 

It's weird you compare half the world to one country. If it was East vs. West, I think we all know the outcome of that one. There are countries West that are probably more open-minded towards LGBT people than Japan AND gives them their rights (such as same sex marriage, adoption, anti-discrimination laws, etc.).

 

With all of this being said, Japan does pretty well for an Asian country. Thailand is much better than Japan with acceptance of LGBT people though.

 

 

on the other hand, i'd say you're far less likely to be assaulted or killed for being black in Japan than you are in America.

 

the age of consent is a cultural idea and has varied throughout history and across cultures.

 

why are all these people who have never even been to Japan lecturing this person who's lived there about basing your impressions off of media? You guys are the ones who are judging a country you have nk experience with based on what you THINK you know about it.

 

I'm not basing my perception on media, but what I read from LGBT people who lived in Japan and what various people say about it.

 

Japan is a more liberal country, in Europe there's also a lot of stuff like this but it's kept in the shadows and 'overlooked' by police.

 

IMO, children should have the freedom to choose after a certain age but they shouldn't feel pressured into doing anything.

 

I kinda think it's funny?!? IDK, I love Japan and I've never found it to be a problem. It's selling something unique (LGBT culture).

 

It's because I keep coming across posts slandering asians and asian culture for being homophobic, while I'm sitting here thinking Japan is the best place to grow up gay!

 

Doing pornographic things? No, they shouldn't.

And it's nice to know you only care about LGBT problems, but stereotypes and ignorance about certain races funny.

[h0neanias]

why are all these people who have never even been to Japan lecturing this person who's lived there about basing your impressions off of media? You guys are the ones who are judging a country you have no experience with based on what you THINK you know about it. pressed westerners just can't take.

 

Maybe because their idea of "West" is so simplistic it borders on ignorant.

[thewronggirll]

on the other hand, i'd say you're far less likely to be assaulted or killed for being black in Japan than you are in America. Funny how supposed "all-accepting, multicultural countries" are so much more racially hostile than asian countries. Better? Subjective at best.

 

the age of consent is a cultural idea and has varied throughout history and across cultures.

 

why are all these people who have never even been to Japan lecturing this person who's lived there about basing your impressions off of media? You guys are the ones who are judging a country you have no experience with based on what you THINK you know about it. pressed westerners just can't take.

 

Oh my god this.

 

All these so-called experts that constantly talk shit about racism and homophobia in East Asia without being Asian or having ever been there. I fucking can't, especially when they have such rose-tinted views of racism and homophobia in "The West". The vast majority of the fucked up laws in Asia stem from at least European influence, if not outright European colonialism. Lashings for crimes in Malaysia, for example. British colonial system. Homosexuality being outlawed across South Asia. British colonial system.

 

 

Black people are killed every 28 hours in the US, neo-Nazis in Europe beat up people of colour on a daily basis and Islamophobic hate crimes number over 500 in the last 12 months in London alone. "The West" isn't a safe haven for anything, if you think it's violence-free, liberal, or tolerant in any fucking way you need to get out more and open your eyes.

 

 

My mother was born, raised and spent until she was almost 30 in an Asian country where homosexuality is punishable by years in prison. My dad was born, raised and spent until he was almost 30 in the UK.

 

 

Guess what? I came out to my mom three years ago, while I'm still not out to my dad because I'm scared of what he'll say/do. Complexity fucking exists.