Update: It has been highlighted that this particular addition to Nintendo's CSR first appeared when it was updated last year, and is therefore not a new addition to the document. We apologise for the error.
Bearing in mind we haven't previously reported on it, we've decided to keep the story live.
In an update to the Corporate Social Responsibility information set out on its Japanese website, Nintendo has acknowledged same-sex marriages as part of its employee Partnership System, despite marriages between same-sex partners not being recognised under Japanese law.
As noted by Eurogamer, this addition to the Employees section of the CSR specifically highlights the company's divergence from current Japanese law on same-sex partnerships. The update also states that common-law marriages "will be observed in the same way as a legal marriage".
Here's an extract from the 'Introduction of a Partnership System' section of the CSR:
At Nintendo Co., Ltd. (Japan), we want to create a work environment that supports and empowers each and every one of our unique employees.
We introduced the Partnership System in March 2021 as one initiative based on this philosophy. Although same-sex marriages are not currently recognized under Japanese law, this system ensures employees who are in a domestic partnership with a same-sex partner have the same benefits as employees in an opposite-sex marriage. We have also established that a common-law marriage between couples will be observed in the same way as a legal marriage.
In June, the government of Tokyo prefecture became the ninth of Japan's 47 prefectures to adopt legislation which recognises same-sex partnerships, although that doesn't offer the same rights and protections as a legal marriage.
The page goes on to reiterate Nintendo's established anti-discriminatory stance, plus revisions to existing initiatives and mention of a message from company President Shuntaro Furukawa calling for employees to consider the "significant emotional pain" a careless comment or action can cause:
In addition to introducing the Partnership System, we revised our internal regulations regarding harassment to clearly prohibit discriminatory comments based on sexual orientation or gender identity, as well as disclosing someone's privately held sexual orientation against their will.
Alongside the introduction of the Partnership System in Japan, we notified our employees about the issue of gender diversity with a message from our President as a means of raising awareness of what diversity means. In this message, the President called for all employees to adopt a renewed understanding that even speech and actions, which are not intended to harm, can cause significant emotional pain, asking for understanding and support to create an environment in which everyone can work comfortably.
By improving our company systems and conducting training, we will continue our work to create an environment where each of our many diverse employees can fully realize their talents.
Elsewhere in the statement, NCL details global strategies aiming to respect and foster diversity and equity across the company, with specific mention of the establishment of Employee Resource Groups such as Black at Nintendo Dialogue (B@ND) and Nintendo Women and Allies to "encourage mutual understanding and fellowship among our employees".
[source nintendo.co.jp, via eurogamer.net]
Comments 127
Good to see Nintendo being proactive on this issue 👏.
That's actually really cool, along with the common-law thing. Besides the social statement it makes it also just works out better for employees.
I really think that as a company Nintendo goes a long way in creating a good working environment for their employees and this is a clear message to the Japanese government as well. Hopefully we will see changes coming to Japan too in this regard. Everyone should be able to be who they are and be with the person they want to be with.
Good. Foster your queer talent, they've contributed a lot to Nintendo's magic.
That's really awesome
What a thing to do to make your employees feel valued. I guess this is for pensions and death in service, etc, as well as emotional well-being.
I'm not up on Japanese discrimination law (funnily enough), but is protection from discrimination and harassment based on sexuality enshrined in law?
If not, Nintendo have taken two huge steps
(If it is, that's just updating their policies!)
What’s up with the world and all these statements.
Just let people live and be want they want to be etc.
as long as no one is doing any harm to anyone.
All these statements etc just create an atmosphere and fuel the anti groups and people.
All this LGBQT creates is a special group that will stand out, which will then never make it the normal in life.
Everyone just be and enjoy and love then it all becomes the normally hopefully.
mario & luigi are a couple, aren't they? this really comes as no surprise, but it's nice
@Dezzy70 If the statements bother you then why make a statement about the statements?
Do you not see the irony in that?
Hopefully the political reality of Japan will mirror this soon.
As always with big companies, you never know of this is an ethical awakening or something born out of the need to keep talent on board or attract new talent, but in the end I suppose it doesn't really matter. Good on you, N!
@Dezzy70 The point of a statement like this, besides just letting people know what the corporate policy on the subject which in its own right is important since that can vary, is that people AREN'T being given the ability to live life the way they want to. The reality is that in Japan, gay couples are not given the luxury of having their relationships legally recognized, and a large business like this going, "We're going to do it anyway," is both a statement of solidarity and a benefit to anyone who falls within that category and works or could potentially work there.
Also in what way does it make LGBTQ+ people "a special group that will stand out" by giving them the same rights already afforded to the heteronormative? It's just bringing them up to par, not giving them anything special.
@Dezzy70
I take it you work for yourself? If not, you do realise that you have rights enshrined in law.
LGBTQ workers in Nintendo now have right on par with their other colleagues.
Instead of making them stand out via discrimination, it's putting them on an equal footing
Nintendo does many things that I don’t like or agree with but this is pretty awesome imho. Good on them. ❤️❤️
It's insane that same-sex marriage (among MANY other things) is still illegal in so many parts of the world. Good to see that the employees will hopefuly be safe and accepted in their work place.
I see this as nothing but a good thing, great to see.
I just want to be held by a beautiful woman x
@Dezzy70 it's a nice idea, but because so,so many people are still against the LBGTQ community these things still need to be said. When people stop being selfish and judgmental - which won't be anytime soon - then we can have what you described.
Until then unfortunately, we have to keep pushing for it to become more normalised and accepted. Small steps like this from Nintendo help.
@Rambler
No I work for a company in the UK.
And I and we treat everyone the same no discrimination what so ever.
Of course our company policies state this as well.
That's so awesome of Nintendo!
@sanderev so say the vast majority of workers in a company are not disabled.
Shall we treat all the disabled workers the same as the others by ignoring their additional requirements? Not install ramps, elevators, etc?
Shall we treat women the same as men by not having sanitary bins in the toilets?
@Dezzy70 you do not understand discrimination law then
@Lizuka
I never said special rights. Everyone is equal as simple as that.
@Rambler
Yes I know about positive discrimination etc have studied it. But I did not want to get into full on very detailed law.
@Rambler Do I say that? Absolutely not.
You should help people that require help. Because if you require help, you want other people to help you.
And that's the point I'm trying to make, if two people need help you should help both. And not just one because they fit within a special group.
@Dezzy70 this has got nothing to do with positive discrimination. It's to ensure parity for all workers
@sanderev I would take that up with your MP then, as you are in disagreement with current laws
Edit: if your partnership is not recognised under law you can't get widow pension, death in service. This is why it is important for LGBT people.
When Nintendo does good, they do good right!
It will be interesting to see if this gesture will have a wider effect on Japanese politics on this issue.
@Rambler
Yes I know that.
Not sure how work got into this.
But yes your business needs to facilitate not to discriminate against.
The bigger question is why do these countries with mass power and wealth have laws that discriminate against others.
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@Dezzy70 hahaha. I assume your “no discrimination in the U.K.” post was satire? Surely you cannot believe that?
That’s with laws to help reduce discrimination.
In some places in the world discrimination is a lot worse and to be honest in some areas in the U.K. it’s pretty horrific
@Dezzy70
"
The bigger question is why do these countries with mass power and wealth have laws that discriminate against others.
"
Now that is a question that should be being asked at intergovernmental meetings, but probably isn't.
@Rambler you are spot on mate. People that say stupid stuff like “everyone should be treated the same and no statements on discrimination” is exactly the description of discrimination. Everyone is not the same. Different groups and types of people have different needs. The most important thing is not seeing this as added costs or a faf or anything else. It’s about enabling the whole of society to be engaged.
The whole “I’m colour/sexuality/gender and disability blind and I wish everyone was” is so naive. Ignoring the differences between us is just as damaging. Understanding each other’s needs is most important not pretending ignoring differences and not catering for them and expecting all others to fit into your norms.
@Stocksy
Think I live in a nice world and where I work and people I know and work with.
I work with and have all sorts of friends and must live in a nice bubble and do not get general life exposure to most of this discrimination.
Yes in the 80s when I was younger there was more about.
I knew something was up when Nintendo started taking a different approach when they promoted Splatoon 3 - Basically giving us gender fluidity, and branches like Nintendo of Europe acknowledging the relationship between Pearl and Marina. With a company as influential as Nintendo, I'm optimistic things will change in Japan in the coming years.
@Dezzy70 it’s easy not to see things to be honest and many of those impacted won’t share experiences with fear of rocking the boat.
Being disabled is a nightmare in the U.K. - simple things like sitting with your family at a football match. - you can sit with a “carer” but not more than that. Same at concerts etc.
So many areas aren’t wheelchair accessible.
My daughter is in a wheelchair and I can tell you everything from healthcare to normal day to day stuff is a constant fight.
Having spoke to others in other groups that we would say could be discriminated against things are grim for them too.
If anyone wants to get highfalutin about this, give John Rawl's Theory of Justice a whirl, and see how he got it totally wrong.
His is the idea of a veil of ignorance - i.e. not seeing differences on purpose.
However, but not seeing those differences you are unconsciously discriminating via your own biases, whether you realise or not.
Therefore by deliberately treating everyone the same, you are, in practice, treating everyone differently
Legally you can not marry someone of the same sex as you in Japan but they have been showing same sex couples to children since the 80's (Sailormoon🤔)
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Glad to see Nintendo being so progressive
@Stocksy
I guess I don’t see it as I don’t know anyone in a wheel chair and don’t have to deal with that on a daily basis.
I think some of issue in the UK and many other countries it is all about money I’m afraid the whole fabric of politics and living well is about money.
I’m going on a little weekend away this weekend to the Isle of Wight, I’m gonna keep a look out for wheel chair access and things and open my eyes a bit and learn a little as well.
The bigger issue is how do we get this things that are required in the UK to help, is it down government or business. I guess if laws where passed to force access etc, business would have to build them.
There must be some laws especially in building etc to do with health and safety, maybe in case of a fire etc.
Well done Nintendo! For such an advanced nation, Japan lags behind the West in some social aspects. This update is a nudge in the right direction.
And well done Nintendo Life for leaving the comments open here! Or maybe I’m overly pessimistic and you won’t have to moderate all day long. Fingers crossed…
Are they breaking the law in Japan then or what I don't get it
@StAmbrosius Yeah, God forbid our children play games by a company who, er, gives equal benefits to all employees regardless of relationship status. The woke brigade have gone too far this time!
Bet they only did it so they can copyright claim same sex marriage
In all seriousness it's nice to see
Good to see. Japanese law seems very archaic on this so nice to see companies moving with the times.
From not implementing same-sex couples in Tomodachi Life to this. Glad to see they’re taking these progressive steps when the laws of the country dictate otherwise.
@Dezzy70 "The bigger question is why do these countries with mass power and wealth have laws that discriminate against others."
In Japan, tradition is much more valued than in most western cultures (I used "most" because I don't know every culture in the west, but consider the more powerful and popular countries). Discrimination has existed for thousands of years, so it is part of traditional practices. If in countries that are considered more open to change you can still find all kinds of examples of discrimination, it'll be more difficult for Japan to change in that respect. That's why this statement by Nintendo should be seen as a very important step towards a fair society
It’s a really nice step forwards that yes, happened a year ago but somehow went unseen. Nintendo are one of the richest companies in Japan (if not the richest) so hopefully they lobby for change. In regards to those complaining about us ‘being our own special group’ or some other nonsense, tell that to the people who systematically discriminated against us since time immemorial.
What is marriage for though?
Cool! Hope this is reflected in their games and that it doesn’t cause issues in Japan. So far so good since this isn’t a recent development.
Love and games for everyone!
@John_Deacon
Well of course let’s hope the Nintendo statement helps the situation.
@Mortenb ensuring that money is left over when one person dies. Hence why common-law marriage is also counted here
This is great and all, but like... couldn't they have put this in a Direct?
It does a late 30s gay man’s heart the world of good to read the positive comments in reaction to this. Keep it up folks!
I am relentlessly queer and I have to say these comments give me something to be happy about. Thanks Nintendo Life & community ❤️
NL kept the comments open on this, I'm impressed. The person who's job it is to remove the replies must have needed something to do.😂Only 3 out of 58, much better than I expected. Keep up the good work folks. 👍🌈
Peoples views & opinions can't be always the same. You like something and I hate that thing.
@sanderev It's the opposite of special rules - it's taking a previously special set of rules and equalising them with the rules for the majority.
@Mortenb Legally recognising partnerships
It’s just an anti-discrimination policy.
@Stocksy I understand you on this, my dad had a stroke last year and now needs a wheelchair for everywhere he goes and it’s really opened my eyes for how bad it is for people with disabilities to go to places to enjoy themselves, even going for a meal now we have to research which places have ramps or access for wheelchairs
@Dezzy70 "Same-sex marriage was legalised in England and Wales, and Scotland in 2014,[6] and in Northern Ireland in 2020."
We should be careful about acting as if the UK has been safe and equally respectful for same-sex marriage and the LGBT community.
Those rights have been hard fought for and some of these have only been recently won. And they've only been won by making themselves a "special group" that gets a large amount of attention for their size. Because when they were separate and isolated, they were ostracised, treated poorly, and given less rights.
I just feel like I have to get in here with a "well done, Nintendo!" before the comments get closed.
Well done, Nintendo.
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This is the kind of thing that makes me happy to support Nintendo
very awesome move, rare based nintendo moment
This made me tear up. I've always loved Nintendo, and now I love them even more than I thought possible. Kudos Nintendo. Kudos ❤️
I’m glad to see this statement from Nintendo. I was not aware of Japan’s stance on same-sex marriages, and I hope we see change there and in other countries where this is an issue.
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@BiscuitCrumbsInMyBed it’s a nightmare mate. Especially if the wheelchair user can’t use a toilet. Changing our daughter is a nightmare. “Changing places” are getting better and in more places but not everywhere. I’m a big sports fan and would have taken my family to many sports events by now. I’ve had to send emails and chase and even raise it with heads of sporting associations just to get to be able to sit together as a family. Even then sometimes the solutions aren’t perfect. With my wife and daughter told the can be in the row in front and not actually sat with us.
Restaurants are a nightmare. Even if entrances are wheelchair friendly the table lay out inside is rarely.
Theme parks - forget it.
We flew to America before the pandemic and went to Disney. The plane was a nightmare even though staff were amazing. Disney was ok but even then on the few rides she could go on we were sat away from her. She is 8?!?!? Bonkers. Universal was a terrible experience and we were treated very badly.
@Type_Trubbish to be fair to dezzy he has replied with kindness and has admitted he might be in a bubble.
@Type_Trubbish
You got me there straight and white.
I’m not telling them to do, or not to do anything.
I am actually very proactive to all humans and any types and community, I don’t care everyone is equal in my eyes as simple as that.
@Richnj
True we forget what was illegal in the UK not that long ago.
But the time as come where there should be no need to fight for these rights in any country.
Those in charge should open the laws and let people be.
What is sort of interesting is how these illegal laws become in the first place. I think maybe religious beliefs may have started it, I’m not sure.
@Dezzy70 Talk less, listen more.
representation in their games sucks (make Claude bi!), but this is heartening to see
@Dezzy70
The time has NOT come, because gay marriage is still illegal and gay citizens still get discriminated against in Japan and many other countries, hence Nintendo's statement here. Religious beliefs/conservatism have everything to do with these laws. In a perfect world, there would be no discrimination against the LGBTQ community, but this is not a perfect world and folks have to take a stand and fight for their rights. As @Tandoori said, you should talk less and listen more, because at this point you're still coming off as if you disagree with Nintendo's support of their LGBTQ employees while saying sweet nothings like "the world should be nicer". Also, I strongly disagree with your idea that the LGBTQ community shouldn't fight back because it'll fuel hate groups. You're basically saying that hate should win.
@Dezzy70 Yeah, I couldn't say whether or not religion caused it, but religion has been used to enforce it. And we can see over in the US how religion can send you in to a backside too. Which is why I was keen on reminding us how recent this acceptance is, because of how easy it is to forget and lose it.
It's especially easy for straight guys like us, because we don't live it. I'm a white, straight, nearly 40 guy, who has no long term disabilities (I had depression through my teens and most of my 20s, and I may be neuro divergent, but I'm not sure I want to go through the process to find out for sure), so none of this has ever affected me directly, it's just been a lot of research in to how others have experienced life, and how society treat them. It's been horrifying in some cases, but not going to lie, it's been really interesting and fun too.
I remember being iffy on trans people. Don't know why, there was just this part of me that felt uncomfortable with it all. But I also knew that being like that to trans people didn't fit with my general philosophy. So I went out to learn more. I was really coming round to it the more I learnt, and then Abigail Thorn's coming out video really made my mind up. Even though I'm not trans, I could really relate to her trying to live up to this random idea of manhood, that others had created, rather than just being who she is. I knew what she was talking about because I've experienced all that growing up. I remember those worries being a big part of my depression. It was nice to connect to her struggles.
Jesus, sorry for the essay.
Even if it was already reported a year ago when the news came up, it’s newsworthy in the context that more prefectures step up to 21st century. Someday Japan will have to acknowledge basic human needs, but until then, every small step in the right direction is a victory.
Leading by example! Yussss.
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Based Nintendo. Good for them to do this, especially in light of the sexual harassment scandal.
@Phostachio
So why are there all these laws against these things in Japan and other countries?
Just let people live and be want they want to be etc.
as long as no one is doing any harm to anyone.
All these statements etc just create an atmosphere and fuel the anti groups and people.
@Dezzy70 @Rambler I agree with Dezzy70, and not just because of that sweet Samus avatar. Virtue-signalling, deliberate provocations and mindless partisanship (i.e. the Kotaku playbook) have seriously degraded public discourse in English-speaking countries (and I say this as a multi-lingual person who follows the news from several countries). I see too many forums where people are desperately and blatantly trying to lay bait, or are clearly spoiling for a fight with people they "disagree" with - only it's not genuine disagreement, but a primal need for tribal warfare they're seeking to fill.
As far as I'm concerned, imbeciles who hate sexual minorities get Reported and Ignored, and sometimes my own personal rebuke - but the online and physical communities I inhabit don't tolerate that sort of mindless hatred in the first place. And yet... what are we supposed to do when it is the Website or forum itself that is fanning the flames, for clicks and such? What if it's a government or the news media engaging in such behaviour?
Therefore by deliberately treating everyone the same, you are, in practice, treating everyone differently
With all due respect - I find it hard to take what you're saying seriously when you trot out a statement like this, Rambler. Even without my grounding in science and formal logic, my own decades of experience on this unhappy planet affirm for me again and again that the cool people come in all shapes, sizes and pelts... when you take people as they are. If I'm supposed to apply some sort of filter or political tilt to my perceptions constantly, I wouldn't be seeing and interacting with people naturally and open-mindedly. And I will caution people to remember that political tilts and "social justice" can change as the wind blows...
@Dezzy70 I just Reported and Ignored Type_Trubbish for attacking you on the basis of race and sexuality. Shame on those who liked that comment, as well.
@EVIL-C ah yes, jumping to conclusion and automatically assuming one's party. Bravo.
I'm not agreeing with the dude but come on 🤣
@CANOEberry where does the race come in there exactly considering as far as i can see dezzy brought that up, not trubbish
(while it's deleted now, i do have a screenshot for reference regardless, if anyone needs to double check)
@CANOEberry
That’s is true when you think about it.
Type_Trubbish did exactly what we are trying to remove from the world.
My race and sexuality should have not come into the conversation and also type casting as well.
Will the world ever learn.
@Type_Trubbish Ok, so let me get this straight (heh), you're mad at Dezzy for something that's not exactly in his control, and as such shaming him for being straight, which in itself is discrimination.
You're also immediately assuming he doesn't understand the discrimination of LGBTQ people because he's straight, and assuming he doesn't experience anyone, from friends to family, to even some random person on the street, getting discriminated based on their sexaul orientation?
Do you realize how awful and hypocritical you sound?
Good news!
Now if the Japanese government would just get with the times and pass a true equality bill for its LGBTQ citizens.
Not to bring US politics into this… but I’m worried about my fellow LGBTQ citizens here in the States. After so much progress was made I feel like we are starting to go backwards on that front.
Nintendo breaking the law of your country, I never thought to see this, and yet to support this type of cause, I just hope she never makes games with this genre, sn't be the end of it.
Nintendo descumprindo regra da lei de seu país, nunca pensei em ver isso, e ainda mas pra apoiar este tipo de causa, só espero q ela nunca faça jogos com este gênero, s n será o fim dela.
This is a fantastic omen for the future-it's a step forward. The first step is bringing attention to it.
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@Dezzy70 yeah you're way offbase on this
ignoring issues of identity based discrimination makes that stuff SIGNIFICANTLY worse, not perpetuate it. you don't put out a fire by pretending it doesn't exist.
plus this isn't just a statement, it's an announcement of actual company policy change with actual practical impact, and this kind of thing being implemented at a major company like this can push the needle in the right direction politically for lgbtq rights in a country that does not support them.
just because discussion of LGBTQ issues makes you uncomfortable does not mean the solution is for everybody to stop talking about them.
idk if you are queer yourself but i am and this kind of take infuriates me.
@Dezzy70 You don't seem to hate LGBT+ people at all seeing your comments but you also seem to go for the "everyone is equal" approach.
Like, I get it, but some people will react badly to that argument because... well... not everyone is equal. And that mentality is often used to silence complains from certain groups.
Gay people only got that right because they made themselves known as a separate group with separate issues than hetero couples.
Basically, that mentality of "I see everyone equal" is only valid if everyone has an equal playing field. Which is not the case.
@Would_you_kindly As far as I know they are not breaking any laws, its not illegal to support gay people there, its just that people can't marry someone of the same gender. Nintendo is basically saying that if you have a partner you would have married if you could they will treat you as married.
@Dizavid just replying because i can only like your comment once. thank you 👊
@Arkay
Yes it can be very toxic. Every group has toxic elements. That’s not unusual.
But what worries me is that the US Supreme Court will re-examine Ogerfell and strike it down. The gay community fought hard for decades to have their marriages recognized and gain the same benefits that straight married couples enjoy.
It would return it back to the states. And several states would ban it immediately. Including my own beloved state.
It doesn’t affect me on a personal level since I’m straight, but I do have numerous friends in gay marriages who would immediately lose their marriage licenses.
@jowe_gw
It’s more in my eyes everyone is equal as in how I treat other humans. It’s doesn’t matter to me if they are LGBT+. All humans should be treated equally.
I’m not political, I live and work and have friends in a nice bubble and everyone gets along and is treated equally. I guess I’m just very lucky to be in that lovely environment in my life where everyone is equal.
It’s UK Greater London.
@CANOEberry "disagreeing" on people's rights is not civil discourse. those who want people to shut up about our rights are being inherently disrespectful by even engaging from that direction regardless of how polite the phrasing. at best, you actually think you are doing good in the world by helping allow legitimately hateful bigots to engage in dialogue at a table they should simply not be permitted to sit at, as people who inherently do not respect others, and barring hurt and angry oppressed people from speaking out against that with emotional truthfulness, simply because you don't like the sound of people being upset. at worst, you may be one such bigot yourself. it is up to you to decide if you want to be either of those two, or if you want to be the kind of person who understands that "respectful dialogue" must be predicated on actual respect for other people, not just polite phrasing.
@Dezzy70 you not being political is a function of your privilege to never have to be political to protect the lives of yourself, your loved ones, and people like you.
people like myself must be political else we take blow after blow to our own safety at the highest levels of lawmaking, and eventually end up with our very lives at risk from laws that prevent us from accessing Healthcare or facilitate persecution and violence from the government or other individuals. do you know who Alan turing is? we likely straight up wouldn't have video games period if it weren't for him.
if you actually care about a person in need, you would listen first to what they need, yes? if you actually do think it lgbtq people as equals, why would you not afford us the same when we're raising a stink about things that are harming us that we need support for, or express joy for things like this that may actually make a positive difference for us? if you don't, you don't actually treat us the same as you do cis straight people. you don't wilfully ignore others the way you do us.
@8itmap_k1d But in japan, marriage is a union of man a woman for life, and the govt. only has it as a thing in order to provide a stable frame for procreation and raising kids and ease that activity.
To say gay marriage is illegal is like saying square circles are illegal. Sure, in the west we now think such a frame is unnecessary an we can coopt the word to mean other things. But Japan has a different concept and wants to keep reinforcing families procreating in traditional ways.
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@Mortenb "But Japan has a different concept and wants to keep reinforcing families procreating in traditional ways"
terrible justification for holding onto archaic and harmful practices and policies. how many lgbtq people from anywhere, but especially Japan and other countries with a "tradition" of discrimination against us (hint: that describes pretty much every country on earth today) have you actually talked to about what this stuff means for our lives?
@Mortenb I don't think Nintendo doing this has anything to do with a traditional framework of procreation. They're just providing equal benefits for gay employees.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
@Dezzy70 I mean... I guess you have the privilege of not having to be "political". Many people have to risk being "political" because they see their rights being rejected.
Asking for gay marrige in Japan is "political" therefore "bad" because "Japan has it's traditions".
And again, the whole reason why people hate the "I see no skin color" argument is because it ignores problems for specific groups of people assuming that everyone has equal footing.
I get what are you trying to say and I don't think you are a homophobe or anything or the sort. I'm just explaining why some people will react badly to the point you used, even if it doesn't come from a bad place.
@demacho
Not sure what country you live in etc.
But I don’t experience that in the UK when it comes to health service and equal rights in other areas like work etc.
Though the UK especially around London and Greater London is beautifully multi cultural and equality seems in abundance for all LBGT+
Let’s hope the rest of world and in your country and society they become the same as where I live.
@Dezzy70 This last message is 100% right. Seeing your comments makes me thing that sometimes people living in countries where all of this is normal forget how new this actually is. The fact that you normalize it is nice but there are many other places in the world.
@8itmap_k1d I was more concerned about the implied assumption that this has anything to do with marriage. Nintendo should just take care of all employees as they think best.
@demacho Which harmful practices?
@Mortenb like..... banning same sex marriage, prosecuting trans people and their families,dropping hate crime protections from queer people (do you even know what the average lifespan of a trans Black woman in the states is? hint: it's not short because of diabetes), remember what happened to alan turing?......
was that a serious question? are you seriously just not familiar with the concept of homophobia?
@Dezzy70 i'm in the United States.
do you think that "beautiful equality" came about from people just not talking about homophobia and lgbtq issues? do you seriously think that is how such equality (which I'm sure you're overestimating) would spread outside London? or are you just satisfied with lgbtq people just being restricted to one safe city?
the more i read your responses the less I'm sure you're engaging in good faith, which is what i initially thought.
@demacho
No I want the whole planet earth to be of beautiful equality and we all live as one equally regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation etc etc.
Problem is the human race looks after mainly number one, their self. Harsh reality but true.
Even friends that are LGBT+ that recently partied in London with Pride are now and thankfully enjoying themselves in this environment and living in what I call good middle England and have forgotten the rest of world and areas and issues with the LGBT+ community in other countries.
Yes we have did have a some protests etc a couple of years ago but they weren’t by the masses of the community, but it was a good reminder of peoples rights etc.
@Dezzy70
Have you spoken to your female / LGBT / bme friends about microagressions and unconscious bias?
@Rambler
No my female friend doesn’t really talk much about being lesbian and neither does her partner.
It is all just the normal everyone is equal.
Just like I don’t talk about being white English and straight this stuff doesn’t come up.
I think it is because she lives in my nice world bubble and is having a great time being honest.
She was also born in Brazil and half Italian by parentage and came to England about ten years ago and thinks it’s great.
She now has a degree and works in a good job
Greater London of course.
@Dezzy70 okay
@Dezzy70 yeahhh there's probably a reason your friend chooses not to engage with you on these issues.
@demacho
I was the first person at work when she joined us that she told she was lesbian.
You don’t know me and my open equality towards all this.
You need to chill and have a go at the scum bags that have made you this mad.
@jowe_gw human rights are universal. violations of them should not be accepted from any place. that's why the UN has a human rights office, and that's why even countries that flagrantly violate human rights try to deny they're doing so.
why do you work so hard to make it OK to discriminate against lgbtq people?
Removed - flaming/arguing
@jowe_gw not new, just has more visibility and acceptance(Doesn’t mean we don’t get discrimination) and also, I have no muns, I would’ve moved somewhere else if I could’ve
Okay, it’s the evening where we live so we’re closing these comments until tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who has contributed positively and constructively to the conversation.
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