Introduction
“If my child is LGBTQ...”
The parenting environment in Japan is very often unconsciously gender-segregated, with little consideration given to the possibility that children may be LGBTQ+. Both at home and at school, LGBTQ children experience isolation and denial of who they are because they are not provided with appropriate information and support.
“If the parents are LGBTQ...”
LGBTQ parents are also isolated. Although many people who self-identify as LGBTQ are involved in parenting, most are unable to come out to their childcare providers or teachers. They feel anxious about their parenting in a community where they are not considered as “family”.
“Does the child-rearing environment in Japan need to change?”
Whether they identify as LGBTQ or not, there are people who question the social expectation of “gender expectation” or the “norms”.
“Nijiiro Parenting Booklet” is produced by the non-profit organization “Nijiiro Diversity” with the donation of the charity product “Rainbow Pride Cup 2018” by TENGA Corporation. In April-May 2019, we conducted a web-based “Nijiiro (rainbow) - Parenting Survey” with the cooperation of Prap Japan, Nijiiro Kazoku, and sociologist Hitoshi Ishida, and used the participants’ comments in this handbook. (Comments have been changed for privacy reasons). Of the 1,434 people who participated in the survey, 125 were LGBTQ people with parenting experience. In 2021, Niantic Employees helped with the English translation. We would like to thank all those who responded.
Specified Non-profit Organization Nijiiro Diversity
We made this “Nijiiro Parenting Booklet” as a guide to help any of you to enjoy parenting without being bound by “gender expectation” or the “norms”. We hope that anyone who is raising a child, now or in the future, or who is involved with children in any way, will have a chance to read this.
Supervisor’s message:
Being a teacher and coming out as gay, I have recieved many “reverse” coming outs from parents.
Not only the children, but the guardians and teachers can also be diverse.
There are teachers out there who are willing to listen out in the school environment. Try talking to your principals, vice principals, health teachers, year leaders, and counselors.
Shigeyoshi Suzuki
Born in Ibaraki 1978
Public elementary school teacher, consultant. Openly gay.Specializes in Special care education and education consulting.
