[News] HBYA - Theme song "Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2012"

[happiholic★]

Originally Posted by freedreamer

and that is very evident in her works

I find that, though, saying it is entirely different from acting that way in PVs or in concerts. For example, there is a model for a Japanese magazine called Happie Nuts who is obviously a lesbian. She fits the North American stereotype very well. However, when she came out a few months ago people in Japan were shocked. Readers seemed to think that she adopted the style because she liked the look. Using gay themes in Japan really means nothing, I find. I hope that Ayu comes out and explicitly states that she supports the gay community. It pretty obvious to us, sure, but in Japan she could be viewed as just being a diva and using gay themes for shock value.

[TeamAyu2004]

Originally Posted by happiholic★

I find that, though, saying it is entirely different from acting that way in PVs or in concerts. For example, there is a model for a Japanese magazine called Happie Nuts who is obviously a lesbian. She fits the North American stereotype very well. However, when she came out a few months ago people in Japan were shocked. Readers seemed to think that she adopted the style because she liked the look. Using gay themes in Japan really means nothing, I find. I hope that Ayu comes out and explicitly states that she supports the gay community. It pretty obvious to us, sure, but in Japan she could be viewed as just being a diva and using gay themes for shock value.

I think you have to also understand that what is Gay in america or somewhere else is not the same case in japan or asia for that matter.
I mean rainbows and cute things are not considered gay in japan, where as in america the rainbow is a symbol for gay people.

you just have to look at the culture. Just because you dress a certain way and act a certain way does not mean you are gay.

[isthisLOL?]

Originally Posted by TeamAyu2004

I think you have to also understand that what is Gay in america or somewhere else is not the same case in japan or asia for that matter.
I mean rainbows and cute things are not considered gay in japan, where as in america the rainbow is a symbol for gay people.

you just have to look at the culture. Just because you dress a certain way and act a certain way does not mean you are gay.

Rainbows are a symbol for homosexuality in Japan though. Not exclusively, but it isn't exclusively a symbol for that in Western culture either. Now a rainbow flag would be a symbol of only homosexuality - in both cultures.

The overall point is something I agree with, just wanted to point that out

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by happiholic★

I find that, though, saying it is entirely different from acting that way in PVs or in concerts. For example, there is a model for a Japanese magazine called Happie Nuts who is obviously a lesbian. She fits the North American stereotype very well. However, when she came out a few months ago people in Japan were shocked. Readers seemed to think that she adopted the style because she liked the look. Using gay themes in Japan really means nothing, I find. I hope that Ayu comes out and explicitly states that she supports the gay community. It pretty obvious to us, sure, but in Japan she could be viewed as just being a diva and using gay themes for shock value.

There was this blog about lgbt life in Japan, (I belive based on videos and photos, as I don't speak japanese) it was mostly focused on gay rights, prejudice and stuff. You could easily find posts about Ayu there since Green PV was released. Anyway, Ayu is embracing the gay community on a very japanese way, recording videos on the gay district, having a gay pornstar on her videos and displaying homoerotism on her work for some time now (stuff like A Ballads cover, Rainbow PV and TA Limited Concert already had it). She is also running way from yaoi/yuri models when covering it, what is good cuz those are aesthetics mainly aimed to straight women.

She also openly said she is supportive of the LGBT community at least twice on Twiter, one of those 2 being a support message to this parade this thread is about^^

I personally prefer the way Ayu touches this time than Koda, BTW, as Koda tends to have hints of fetishism on her lesbian-friendly videos, what sometimes can make it looks like she is just using her sexy persona... In the end of the day, GLS officially was changed for LGBT cuz gay women were mostly ignored or treated as a fetish by media. Still, the fact that Koda openly supports it is amazing in itself, whatever the way she decides to shows this.