35 LGBTQ+ Community is Not Just A Western Concept
Expanding away from the United States, this is a collection of current events so far around the world. Within non-Western countries, the LGBTQ+ community is often regarded as a modern or Western idea. This notion stems from many deeply rooted issues we discussed, such as Orientalism and colonialism. Focusing specifically on Asia, Asian queerness existed through mythology and folklore, rich in cultural heritage.
Guanyin, is a Buddhist goddess that represents mercy and compassion. In many East Asian interpretations, Guanyini is understood to be an androgynous figure. In Japanese myth, lovers Shinu No Hafuri and Ama No Hafuri are the first to introduce gay relationships to the world.
While there is a rich cultural heritage that exists surrounding Asian queerness in mythology and folklore, there is a large stigma against homosexuality in many Asian countries.
Similar to the U.S, there have been breakthroughs but also steps back in legislation. Here are some current events in Asian countries.
Nepal: The country became the 2nd Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage this year. The Supreme Court in Nepal allowed the registration of same-sex marriages, overruling the country’s civil code.
Japan: In Tokyo, Japan, the metropolis has begun issuing partnership certificates to same-sex couples, a hopeful step towards marriage equality. A Japanese court also recognized that the ban on same-sex marriage is a violation of human rights. As the only G7 country that still does not recognize same-sex marriages, there is still much to do.
Vietnam: Last year, the Vietnam Ministry of Health officially announced that homosexuality should no longer be seen as a disease. The health policy is now in line with countries around the world. It is a hopeful step in the right direction, however, some in the queer community in Vietnam are skeptical that the government is bringing
And a resource to include for this toolkit includes scholarships and funds for Asian youth of all sexualities. Resource kit from Dear Asian Youth (DAY) Prism released every month! Donations to a fund are also possible too 🙂
Sources:
- Channell-Justice, E. (Ed.). (2020). Decolonizing queer experience: LGBT+ narratives from Eastern Europe and Eurasia. Lexington Books.
- Gadhavi, J. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/aug/24/vietnam-declares-being-lgbtq-is-not-an-illness-in-victory-for-gay-rights
- Knight, K. (2023). Nepal registers same-sex marriage – A First. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/11/30/nepal-registers-same-sex-marriage-first
- Long, R. E. (2004). Men, homosexuality, and the Gods: An exploration into the religious significance of male homosexuality in world perspective. Harrington Park Press.