The Dynamism of Community-Based Sexual and Gender Minority Advocacy groups

Abstract

Based on interviews in the Tohoku region, this paper documents and analyses some of the dynamism of activism found in community-based sexual and gender minority advocacy groups. These activities can be organised into two categories: ‘empowerment and placemaking for sexual and gender minorities’ and ‘awareness-raising for local communities’, although in practice the two cannot be simply distinguished. A cycle exists whereby awareness-raising activities become placemaking and new activities are born out of placemaking. And the concept of ‘craftivism’ reveals the importance of craft as a link between activity and placemaking.

Awareness-raising activities by allies provide support in a broader sense. In some cases, these activities can also be placemaking for the allies themselves. There are not ‘support/be supported’ relationships, but ‘fight together’ relationships.