Japan IDAHO Report 2013

A rainbow soap bubble event in Iwate, was hosted by LGBT activists as their contribution to the Global Rainbow Flashmob. Participants were joined ‘by passersby including children, students who happened to be in our town on their school trip and even adults who were curious what we were doing. They approached us and some of them joined us blowing
bubbles.’ The event, as well as an ‘IDAHO-T panel exhibition’ was covered by a local newspaper and a women’s centre radio programme. A screening of the film Call Me Kuchu, which deals with Ugandan gay and lesbian communities, was also held in Tokyo, and sold out.

Events around May 17 were observed in another 12 cities in Japan, ranging from exhibitions, to workshops and street actions, where messages by LGBT people and allies were read out in the streets calling for respect.

In Morioka, Iwate, activists organised a Rainbow Bubble Action

From the organisers: ’1pm- on Saturday, May 18… Did you know that soap bubbles are rainbow? We’ll learn about IDAHO-T at a workshop, make our own soap bubbles afterwards, go onto the streets and blow them into the sky. We attempt to draw public attention and raise awareness towards LGBTI issues by this Rainbow Bubble Action. Join us blow soap bubbles into the sky for safer and more inclusive society for all regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression!’

For more info: http://ameblo.jp/iwaterainbownetwork/
The British Embassy in Tokyo flew the rainbow flag and released a special statement for IDAHO.