"When I was fencing, it was unthinkable to come out in the sports community, which was particularly homophobic," said Sugiyama, 39. (Photo: AFP/Philip FONG) Those involved in setting up the Tokyo Pride House include Fumino Sugiyama, a former athlete who was on the national women's fencing team before coming out as a transgender man. The International Olympic Committee has wished Pride House Tokyo success, saying:"In sport, we are all equal". Instead, remote spaces were set up internationally for LGBTQ fans to gather. In 2014, Russian authorities denied a request to open a Pride House at the Sochi Winter Games, the organisation said. Temporary venues have since appeared at London 2012 and Rio 2016, and at other international sporting events like the Commonwealth Games. "UNTHINKABLE TO COME OUT" The first Pride House – inspired by the tradition of Olympic hospitality centres for national teams – was launched at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games. "We therefore welcome that Tokyo 2020 has embedded diversity and inclusion in the Olympic Games model," he said, wishing"the Pride House Tokyo success". Advertisement "In sport, we are all equal," IOC President Thomas Bach said in a statement released on Sunday.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) echoed hopes for a lasting legacy. The venue"will be a landmark that could change the landscape for LGBTQ people in Japanese society", Matsunaka said. (Photo: AFP/Philip FONG) While the centre is being set up under a recent Olympic tradition, the project is officially named Pride House Tokyo Legacy, and activists hope its influence will extend beyond the Games. Advertisement Advertisement LGBTQ rights campaigners in Japan are hoping that Pride House Tokyo will help tackle stigma and raise awareness of discrimination. "Japan, not just in sporting circles but society as a whole – including schools and workplaces – is not friendly to LGBTQ people, and it is hard to come out," Gon Matsunaka, who heads the project behind Pride House, told AFP. READ: Japan Airlines embraces gender neutral greetings Those challenges mean spaces like Pride House, set up in coordination with Tokyo 2020 Olympic organisers, are sorely needed in Japan, activists say. Advertisement Advertisement While Japan has some protections for sexual minorities, it remains the only G7 country that does not recognise same-sex unions, and many couples say they can struggle to rent apartments together and are even barred from hospital visits. Pride House Tokyo is based on similar inclusive pop-up sites set up at past Olympics, but will offer a permanent meeting space and information centre, seeking to educate the public about sexual diversity and offer refuge to those suffering harassment or discrimination. (Photo: AFP/Philip FONG) 01:25PM Share this content Bookmark TOKYO: Tokyo on Sunday (Oct 11) opened its first major community hub for LGBTQ people this month, part of a pre-Olympics project that campaigners hope will tackle stigma and raise awareness of discrimination. Read more at .Īdvertisement Sport Gon Matsunaka, founder and president of the Pride House Tokyo Consortium, says the venue will be a"landmark" for LGBTQ people in Japan. Population dips in Tokyo area as people move out, a trend experts believe will continueTOKYO - More people left Tokyo than moved into the bustling Japanese capital in recent months, a trend that experts believe will continue with the rising adoption of telework. Next year's Tokyo marathon postponed until after OlympicsNext year's Tokyo marathon has been postponed until after the delayed 2020 Olympics, organisers said Friday, as the coronavirus pandemic continues. Tokyo marathon 2021 postponed until after Olympics due to COVID-19 concernsNext year's Tokyo marathon has been rescheduled from March to until after the delayed Olympics due to the ongoing concerns caused by the COVID-19. IOC chief Thomas Bach to visit new Japanese PM, Tokyo Olympics leadersThomas Bach to visit new Japanese PM, Tokyo Olympic leaders Athletics: Tokyo Marathon 2021 postponed until after Olympics due to Covid-19 concerns IOC chief Thomas Bach to visit new Japanese PM, Tokyo Olympics leaders Tokyo marathon 2021 postponed until after Olympics due to COVID-19 concernsĪthletics: Tokyo Marathon 2021 postponed until after Olympics due to Covid-19 concerns(REUTERS) - Next year's Tokyo marathon has been rescheduled from March to until after the delayed Olympics due to the ongoing concerns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, organisers said on Friday (Oct 9).