The first annual Tokyo Pride Festival

＜English＞

Translated by faiyaque

Hello everybody, TW editor Yuki here!

I was wondering how everybody liked the first annual Tokyo Pride Festival held on Saturday, May 24th?! The TW team was there to cover the event and, even though we were kept busy with a bit of work, we all had so much fun!

First of all, we started the day with an excellent impromptu video and photo shoot with openly lesbian gravure idol Ayaka Ichinose, who I had just interviewed the week before! It's fantastic that she found time between jobs to soak up the loving vibes at Pride. She was super cute and absolutely beaming - but who wouldn't be on a sunny morning in Yoyogi, surrounded by so many LGBTers!

Right before noon, I couldn't help but notice that women were visibly gravitating en masse towards the event stage where there was a wonderful panel discussion with "Honey & Honey" author Sachiko Takeuchi, singer Michiru Sasano, and Love Piece Club's Minori Kitahara.

In the afternoon, there was a live onstage taping of the NHK TV program Haato O Tsunago (Heart-to-Heart) with enough space to seat all the curious Tokyo Pride attendees. This glitzy addition to the Pride event really set this year's festivities apart from previous years.

The tremendous crowd that gathered at Yoyogi on the day included more than a few mainstream media stars and absolutely everyone was sunny and bursting with energy. Needless to say, spending the day covering Pride was both exciting and rewarding, from start to end. I know that many folks were disappointed that no parade was held this year, but personally, I still think this year's Pride Festival was the best yet seeing that it attracted so many (straight and queer) prominent figures.

In particular, out gay entertainer Ken Maeda, was the center of much attention. Onstage he shared his experiences coming out and gave inspirational advice reminding us all of the power of our voices. I heard one gay man sitting behind me comment on how eloquently Maeda delivered his message. His words touched many people. I do hope that everyone who couldn't come to the Pride Festival will be able to watch Haato O Tsunago. I will also be sure to update you on our exclusive interview with Maeda in a few days, in which he shared his thoughts on the gay scenes in New York and Nichome.

Tokyo Wrestling also interviewed Setagaya assembly member Aya Kamikawa, a famous civil rights advocate and the first transgender woman to run for public office in Japan; Chair of the Social Democratic Party Mizuho Fukushima; transgender man and author of the book "Double Happiness" Ayano Sugiyama, novelist Ira Ishida, and performer Sonin, among others. Their messages for TW readers were all very moving.

I just wanted to post briefly to give you an idea of the day, but we'll be bringing you a more detailed report shortly - so be sure to check back!

★Tokyo Pride Festival's official site: www.tokyo-pride.org/festival

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