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A society where everyone can live as they are! The activities of "Sapporo Rainbow Pride" and the future
Have you heard of Sapporo Rainbow Pride, an organization based in Sapporo, Hokkaido, that works to create a society where everyone can live true to themselves?
It is a new organization that was launched in 2017, carrying on the spirit of the LGBT (※LGBT is an acronym for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender, but our organization uses it to include other sexual minorities [asexual, X-gender, questioning, non-binary, queer, etc.]) parade that ran for 17 years from 1996.
The first "Sapporo Rainbow Pride 2018" was held the following year. Last year, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, 340 people participated in the parade, taking precautions to prevent infection. The 2021 parade was scheduled for September 19, but due to the impact of COVID-19, it was scaled down and will be held mainly online.
Sapporo Rainbow Pride, 2020 event
Teruko Mitsushima, Vice Chairperson of the Sapporo Rainbow Pride Executive Committee
This year is actually a memorable one, marking the 25th anniversary since the parade was first held in Sapporo. The organizing committee has been working hard for the past year to prepare for the event, hoping to celebrate its history in as grand a way as possible, but unfortunately, in light of the spread of the coronavirus, Sapporo Rainbow Pride will be primarily an online event in 2021. We considered this until the very last minute, and it is a cause for regret, but for now I would like to believe that doing something under the name of a "parade" will bring at least a little hope to the LGBT community.
A parade where sexual minorities walk through the city and appeal to society about their existence. Sapporo's parade has always valued "LGBT" since the time of our predecessors. More and more people know the term LGBT, and it is becoming more visible in the media these days, but it seems that the fact that LGBT people have a place anywhere and next to anyone and are actually living is not properly understood. Sapporo Rainbow Pride appeals to society by making gender and sexuality issues "something close to everyone and something that concerns everyone," and at the same time, we intend to continue to devote our efforts to creating an environment and opportunity where LGBT people and allies can join hands.
First of all, we are looking forward to seeing you all on the Sapporo Rainbow Pride official YouTube channel on Sunday, September 19th! We hope as many people as possible will tune in!
This year, 2021, the event will be held mainly online, but preparations are continuing with the goal of "being an event where we can celebrate each other as we are and our differences." Why not support and participate in your own way?
<Sapporo Rainbow Pride 2021 "Online Parade">
Date and time: Sunday, September 19, 2021 (afternoon) (planned)
Location: Sapporo Rainbow Pride Official YouTube Channel (planned)
Official website: Sapporo Rainbow Pride
*The parade will be conducted by the executive committee only. The general public cannot participate.
*The parade will be streamed online.
▼For more information, please see the Domingo event page.
Sapporo Rainbow Pride 2021 "Online Parade"
