Last week, I opened a form to receive questions both here and at Olhar de Raposa, my Portuguese newsletter. I was somewhat apprehensive, unsure if anyone would send any questions, but the questions came! To celebrate, today's newsletter will be a response.
The question is from Debora, translated from Portuguese:
Good morning, how was the pride parade in Tokyo? I've always wanted to go to a parade but it never worked out.
The Tokyo Pride Parade is very different from the São Paulo, Goiânia, and Porto Alegre Pride Parades (cities where I lived before). Because they are big complex events, throughout life I've had different perspectives on the Parades, just as I imagine everyone who comes into contact with these events would have a different impression of what's happening.
So, instead of just telling you about what the Tokyo Parade was like, I want to share some stories and experiences I've had over the years.
Goiânia: down with bottomphobia
It was 2010, and I had moved to Goiânia, in the Midwest of Brazil, to pursue my master's degree. My focus on education and sexuality brought me closer to LGBT collectives at the public university, so I made friends with many politically engaged people.
On the day of the Parade, my group of friends was carrying signs with messages drawing attention to various issues affecting the LGBT people’s experience.
I received a sign that said “down with bottomphobia” and felt absolutely embarrassed walking the streets showing it to the public. My friends shouted and danced as the Parade progressed, proudly displaying their signs to people on the streets and in the buildings. A dear friend noticed my embarrassment and offered to switch signs with me, which made my day lighter.
“Bottomphobia” refers to the idea that in the gay community, men who take on the sexual role of bottom, meaning those who are penetrated during sex, are often seen as inferior. This is another way that homophobia manifests as a mirror of misogyny. I believe there would be no homophobia and transphobia if gender relations were egalitarian.
At the time of this Parade, I had been a bottom in almost all of my sexual relationships with other men, but this fact was revealed only in whispers during flirtations in online chats. Even though I was aware of the absurdity of considering someone inferior because they enjoy being anally penetrated during sex, this idea was ingrained in me and therefore prevented me from proudly holding a sign advocating for the end of what tormented me.
São Paulo: a colorful carnival
The São Paulo Pride Parade is the largest on the planet. I participated in several as an observer, moving between sound trucks and following the crowd's march, sometimes accompanied, other times alone. For me, the strongest element of these Parades has always been the festive atmosphere taking over the streets and celebrating sexual diversity, sometimes in a very explicit way.
Although it usually takes place in late autumn, when the weather is starting to cool a bit, it is not uncommon to see shirtless people or just wearing swim trunks, as well as costumes similar to those seen in carnival. Furthermore, human warmth increases with the ease of interacting with other people – two or more people looking at each other with interest can quickly lead to them approaching and kissing, no questions asked.
This erotic effervescence of the Parade is the same as what we find in carnival, but concentrated among LGBT community members. This is also the biggest criticism I see being made of the Parade because some argue that the explicit way sexuality is presented and experienced at the event can make people watching from the outside uncomfortable.
Tokyo: a pink money Parade
At the starting and ending point of the Parade, there are numerous booths from companies – all colored with the rainbow – offering giveaways and leaflets. While in Brazil, anyone can follow the sound trucks, in Tokyo, it is necessary to register with one of the groups that will walk together. In Brazil, each person walks as much as they want, while in Tokyo, it is expected that people will walk from the beginning to the end of the march within their assigned group.
In this sense, the Parade in Tokyo is much more organized and, therefore, restrained and controlled. The impression I have, especially from the perspective of someone who has experienced many other Parades in Brazil, is that the Japanese version is timid and sustained by capitalist conservatism, to say the least.
However, in a society where the effort to not bother others is continually rewarded with public acceptance, the Parade seems to have found a possible format to exist. In the two editions I participated in, I saw families celebrating the Parade and countless groups of LGBT people enjoying time together in Yoyogi Park, next to where the event takes place.
Many of my friends decided to boycott this year's Tokyo Parade because the event's organization receives funds from companies that, in one way or another, continue to provide support to Israel while genocide persists in Gaza. Although I understand this position, I think the Parade can reach and positively impact many people who in their daily lives do not have open contact with LGBT people. Seeing these people existing materially – and not just in TV shows and manga – seems to me a very efficient way to remind the world that we also deserve social rights.
Parade, what for?
First and foremost, the Parade is a political movement born out of the need to resist social oppressions and fight for rights. Even today, LGBT people around the world can be murdered by the government in various countries. Even today, numerous religions preach hatred and discrimination. Even today, companies and families reject and throw out people based on prejudices.
The Parade, however it may be configured here or there, exists as a movement towards more freedom, rights, and protection. My hope is that, more and more, what we can see and experience on Pride days can also be seen and experienced every day everywhere.
A note on Power
Colibri, a Brazilian company that is also a publisher and focuses its work on courses and materials about nonviolent communication, is releasing a translated version of the book Power: a user's guide. I worked on the layout of the book and am very impressed with the content, so I thought of sharing about it here.
Thank you very much for reading until here!
With love,
Tales
I would love to experience a Pride parade one day!
I imagine it to be quite different compared to the annual Pink Dot gathering in Singapore, which unfortunately is restricted to local residents in recent years due to the government restrictions introduced.
Very accurate take on the Tokyo event. The others I’ve been part of are LA, SF, and NYC.
I had a hand in starting the Pink Money aspect of Tokyo Pride. A few decades ago the foreign financial industry was the only to lend its name publicly to LGBT rights so there were about 10 years of only seeing our names on placards and booths. Now I’m happy to see the Japanese, and much more than finance, have jumped in.
But you’re spot on. The overall effect now, particularly for new participants or casual observers, is Money. Corporate money.
I’ve heard that recently SF and maybe other US cities actually LIMIT corporate names. Coors, Budweiser, and Amazon have to apply and win slots each year. The overall effect of course is more social/political issues, and much less “buy this brand of beer.”