Japan: Pass Equality Act before Olympics

In July 2021, the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games are set to begin in Japan.

But Japan is not ready to host the Olympics.

The Tokyo Olympics are advertised as celebrating “unity in diversity” and “passing on a legacy for the future.” But LGBT+ people in my country continue to face social stigma and enjoy fewer legal protections than other Japanese citizens.

There’s still time to change this. Before athletes and visitors from all around the world come to celebrate the Olympic Games, the Japanese government must enact the Equality Act and protect LGBT+ athletes, visitors, and their own citizens from discrimination.

Join us today and sign to show your support for the Equality Act.

The Olympic Games stand for diversity and tolerance. The Olympic Charter specifically protects against discrimination, including on the grounds of sexual orientations.

That’s why the Olympics are the perfect time to stand in solidarity with the LGBT+ community in Japan and to remind the government of its duty to protect its visitors and citizens.

And it’s urgent: Tokyo has passed an ordinance that protects LGBT+ people from discrimination. But several Olympic competitions will take place outside of Tokyo, leaving LGBT+ fans, athletes, and citizens in these areas unprotected.

Andreas, sign our petition and call on Japan’s government to introduce legislation to protect LGBT+ people from discrimination before the Olympics.

Yuri
Japan Alliance for LGBT Legislation (J-ALL)

Sources:

●︎ Japan: Introduce LGBT Non-Discrimination Law – Human Rights Watch, 15. May 2020
●︎ Letter to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Regarding National LGBT Non-Discrimination Law – Human Rights Watch, 17. April 2020
●︎ Olympic Charter – IOC, 17. July 2020