Sexual Minority Advocacy Groups in the “Periphery” of the Rural Area

Practices to Support the Lives of Undisclosed LGBTQ People Living in Small Towns in Japan

Abstract

This paper analyzes how two advocacy groups in a rural area - ESTO and Color Calibrations discover, satisfy the hidden demands of LGBTQ people and create spaces where no one is excluded from support based on their sexuality. Unlike large cities, rural areas highlight their citizenʼs ignorance toward human rights related issues and invisibility of LGBTQ people.

ESTO, based in the regional core city, approach LGBTQ people by enhancing understanding of non-LGBTQ people. They provide support for allies, which helped make an environment where LGBTQ people can easily ask for help and LGBTQ-friendly spaces. Color Calibrations, based in peripheral areas, tries to detect the demands of LGBTQ people by spreading events for them. They join the existing events in the community, which led to the unintended encounters with other civic groups and professionals. This resulted in satisfying the demands and creating an environment where LGBTQ people feel safe.