Story
At Pride House Tokyo Legacy (hereafter, “Legacy”), Japan’s first large-scale, comprehensive LGBTQ+ centre, our doors are open to everyone.
In the three years that have passed since our establishment, we’ve offered free counselling services, support for youth, and reached out across sectors to companies, sporting organisations, embassies, and more.
We hope that this space, where people of all SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, Sex Characteristics) can feel safe and affirmed, can last to be passed on to the next generation.
For the financially-sustainable continued operation of Legacy, we need your support– the support of the LGBTQ+ and ally community. Please join us through the “Tomoni Club” (meaning, “Together Club”) and help us work towards a society where anyone can feel hope in the future and be themselves.
■ Three Years Since Establishment - Working Towards an Organisation that Lasts
Pride House Tokyo was established at the time of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. To create a space where all people can feel safe regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, or gender expression, we created the LGBTQ+ centre, Legacy.
During the Games, we worked on providing information related to LGBTQ+ sports, culture, and education. This involved displaying messages from LGBTQ+ athletes, pamphlets aimed at sports organisations, and media guidelines. After the Games were over, we continued to work to create a space that is inclusive for all people. This includes providing free counselling services for both youth and adults, creating a robust collection of LGBTQ+ books and materials, and organising community events. Aside from our operations as an LGBTQ+ centre, we have also worked to connect across sectors, working with municipalities and companies, and aspiring to increase awareness and understanding through education, advocacy, and sports. In 2023, Pride House Tokyo received official status as an NPO through the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Since Legacy opened three years ago, we’ve had over 12,000 visitors. Messages from our visitors include: “I enjoyed talking so I came again!”, “It was a learning experience,” and “It became a place of refuge for me.” Legacy has become a place that visitors “couldn’t do without.”
However, since opening, awareness of our space has grown, and the number of visitors and people seeking counselling services has made it difficult for our staff to keep up.
This challenge of sustaining our operations coincides with this year’s Paris Olympics. While continuing to work towards our founding principle of creating a safe and affirmative sports environment for everyone, including LGBTQ+ people, we want to pass on Legacy, a place that “when you visit, someone will be there for you.” To achieve this, we need your continuous support and collaboration.
■Messages from Members of Pride House Tokyo
・Yuri Igarashi (Co-chair)
"Having a place and people to whom you can exist as your whole self without being denied is something that is important for everyone. Through working on the planning and operations of Pride House Tokyo, I’ve felt strongly that the existence of such a place, particularly for LGBTQ+ people, can also be a lifeline. As well, as a “platform” for people interested in working on LGBTQ+ issues, we’ve been able to contribute to the creation of collaborations across organisational boundaries.
Moving forward, while working alongside many people to achieve stable and sustainable long-term operations, together I hope we can create a society where people of all genders and sexualities are respected and can live safely. Please continue to keep your expectations high for Pride House Tokyo!
・Aya Noguchi (Co-chair)
“There are many approaches when it comes to LGBTQ+ issues, and here at Pride House Tokyo, we have a diversity of projects, from ‘Culture, History, and Archives’ to ‘Athletes’ Messages.’ While there are more and more people in the sports world with an interest in LGBTQ+ issues, organisations in the “Sports and LGBTQ+” sector working on program development and awareness-raising are few and far between. As such, we will continue to work towards increasing understanding and positive action through sports.
While in society, there are many issues that are not made visible and are not sufficiently addressed, I hope that we can bring responsive and inclusive support to LGBTQ+ people while also taking on the role of saying ‘more attention needs to be given to this issue.’ We hope for your continued support.”
・Anri Ono（Co-chair）
“The time I thought to myself, ‘I don’t want anyone else to ever have to go through this’ is what drives my work today. Having long been involved in supporting LGBTQ+ children and youth in Fukuoka, for the past two years, I’ve been working on youth support programs and multicultural-multilingual projects at Pride House Tokyo.
I always feel that when I was a child, if I could’ve had this space to be myself and embraced without question, my life would have been drastically different. For all LGBTQ+ people and those who think they might be, I want to work harder at ensuring that this is a safer and affirmative space for everyone, and work alongside our consortium to ensure an intersectional approach inclusive of people of diverse experiences and backgrounds.”
・Gon Mastunaka (Board member, first Chair)
“Pride Hose Tokyo is an organisation that places importance on the next generation. What makes us unique is that rather than working with many stakeholders on a large-scale short-term project such as an event or parade, we work long-term on shared projects together.
At Legacy, we’ve moved on to the next stage of our project, from ‘I wish we had this kind of space’ to ‘I hope we always have this space’ and “It would be nice if this space could change in this way…” I feel that we are at an important crossroads that determines if we can pass on the hopes of many people to the next generation, the next era. In order to be a place where anyone can visit, and where anyone can be the one welcoming them, becoming more open is also a significant challenge. We hope you'll join us on this journey ahead.”
・Airi Murakami (“Athletes’ Messages Team” Board Member)
“Whether there is a safe place to go or not makes all the difference. When I was in school, there wasn’t anywhere I could go to talk about struggling with my sexuality. I think that having a place to talk about your struggles and seek advice is something that can change your life.
The other day, at a Rugby Tournament, seeing the Pride House Tokyo flag left a strong impression on me, and I thought to myself, ‘Regardless of whether you are LGBTQ+ or not, you’re part of the team.’
Even as an athlete, I feel that Pride House Tokyo Legacy, a safe and affirmative space where I can be myself, is essential. For Legacy to continue serving this role for many people, I hope for your support.”
Challenges Facing LGBTQ+ Support in Japan
① Although there are NPOs in every region of the country, because of the size of individual organisations and limited resources, it is systematically difficult to create a broader impact.
② When seeking to access compiled information, this information is scattered across separate NPOs, making it necessary to contact individual NPOs separately, and there is no information portal available.
③ While many people, such as community social workers and NPO employees, seek to learn more, skill and knowledge-building opportunities are limited.
Amidst this situation, Pride House Tokyo hopes to share the expertise that we have accumulated and act as a hub for many organisations to learn from one another.
Through sharing knowledge between organisations, we hope that Pride House Tokyo can take on the responsibility of becoming a community hub, cooperating with other regions and municipalities through LGBTQ+ suicide prevention initiatives and more.
For the LGBTQ+ and ally community to connect with each other safely despite constraints and be themselves, with Legacy as a starting point, through cross-sectoral cooperation in sports and education working on improving institutional culture and increasing awareness, we are working on projects from various approaches. Moving forward, we will strive to continue building an understanding of the realities of each region, working in response to local voices in moving forward projects, and expanding the possibilities for future activities.
“When you visit, there’s someone you can see, talk to, learn from” – Our Present and Future
Opened in October 2020, Legacy is a permanent, comprehensive LGBTQ+ centre open to all. Whether it's accessing the collection of over 3500 books from our LGBTQ community archive team; using our counselling services to talk about issues both big, such as concerning your sexuality, and small; or casually enjoying yourself with others at an event; there are many ways to use Legacy. It is a place where anyone can spend their time, safely and securely.
【How Legacy Can Be Used】
① Free Counselling Services
For LGBTQ+ people, and those who think they might be, and their friends and family, we have counselling available. Our counselling for youth ages 24 and under is available in English and Japanese, and our counselling for ages 25+ is available in Japanese.
②Casual conversation
You can chat with our staff or other guests, or of course, enjoy a laid-back time on your own.
③Accessing extensive information
You can view our library of LGBTQ+ related novels, magazines, leaflets, and more.
④ Convenient facilities and features.
You can charge your phone and access our Wi-fi for free.
⑤ Events and projects open to all
We hold a variety of events, from social events for youth, to events such as “Legacy Salon” (gathering to talk at Legacy), “Banmeshi Salon” (bring-your-own dinner), “Going-out” salon, and more, where you can talk to staff and participants. All of the events are designed for a wide range of people, from those who just want to join in, to those who want to talk to someone or do an activity.
We also have special days including Trans Day, Youth Day, and Deaf Day, so that more people can come by to visit Legacy at ease.
【We want to continue to be a ‘hub’ for positive change】
We have received positive feedback from visitors such as “I was so happy to talk to staff that I came back", “I'm glad I took the plunge and came”, and “You have so many interesting books”, and people who visit on a whim while travelling. It can be said that Legacy is truly fulfilling its function as a place where “when you visit, there’s someone you can see, talk to, learn from.”
Through spending time at Legacy, we hope for people one by one to be able to build up their strength and take a step forward. We would like to continue to enhance our role as a ‘hub’ where people can gradually get involved with the people around them and make positive changes.
■ Let’s Connect through the “Tomoni Club”!
In order to promote initiatives to create a safe and affirmative place for all kinds of people and an LGBTQ+ inclusive environment, it is essential to secure and expand resources and strengthen our system more than ever before. For example, to hire one full-time staff member for the Pride House Tokyo office, we need 1,000 people to donate 2,000 yen per person per month for one year. Together with you, we want to make Pride House Tokyo a more sustainable long-lasting organisation!
*The Tomoni Club is a monthly donor program where you can kindly support our activities through a minimum donation of 1,000 yen per month.
【With Your Donation】
1,000 people who donate ¥2,000 per month will directly lead to the strengthening of Pride House Tokyo's organisational structure and facilities, for example:
① Increasing staff at our centre from 2 to 3 per shift, making work run more smoothly
② Securing full-time office staff
③ Expanding facilities and services at Legacy in response to the needs of our visitors
e.g.) Establishing an area to relax and do activities, layout changes, etc.
e.g.) Adding a new card game or Nintendo game that our youth enjoy
【Through joining the "Tomoni Club" you can. . .】
Receive event invitations and activity reports hosted by Pride House Tokyo, as well as invitations to social events held regularly at Legacy. In the future, we are also planning to offer a variety of benefits that can be used when visiting Legacy, such as drink tickets and renting out our space.
■What people have to say about our activities
We have received many kind messages about Pride House Tokyo's activities!
“I feel that the number of people who can talk about themselves is increasing through our involvement with Pride House Tokyo” (LGBTQ+ person)
“I can empathise with Pride House Tokyo’s efforts to reach more people, such as through the provision of sign language interpreters, and consideration of Deaf and Hard of Hearing LGBTQ+ people” (Sponsor Company Employee)
“It was my first time ever speaking about sexuality” (Youth)
“At the rugby tournament, I saw the LGBTQ+ flag standing next to the rugby union flag. I felt it was a huge change to have the flag as a fellow member of the LGBTQ+ community, whether you are an LGBTQ+ person or not. The sporting world as a whole is becoming more and more interested in LGBTQ+ issues, and I think Pride House Tokyo's efforts, such as the creation of policies in sport, have contributed greatly to this” (Sportsperson)
■Creating many LGBTQ+ inclusive environments through sports
Pride House Tokyo is one of the few organisations that have embarked on the field of "Sports and LGBTQ+" and is committed to social change through sports to deepen understanding of LGBTQ+ people, eliminate discrimination, and create an inclusive environment.
【Sports and LGBTQ+ Initiatives】
① Diversity Training in Sports
Pride House Tokyo provides diversity training to athletic organisations and athletes with the aim of creating a sports community that can be enjoyed by all. For example, the "Ally Athlete" project, which takes action on LGBTQ+ issues in the sports world, has conducted a total of three training sessions for current and former athletes. Once certified as an “Ally Athlete,” we take action to bring attention to LGBTQ+ issues to as many people as possible by speaking on talk shows, conducting outreach activities through competitions, and so on.
Comprehensive agreements were signed with the Japan Olympic Committee in 2022 and the Japan Rugby Football Union and Japan Rugby League One in 2023. In addition to creating an environment where players can maximise their abilities regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, or gender expression, we hold training sessions and seminars to share knowledge on gender diversity with those involved in rugby.
To improve the environment for LGBTQ+ youth to face difficulties in physical education and sports, we also organise youth conferences where youth and adult leaders can directly discuss and gain a correct mutual understanding. We also hold youth conferences.
② Broadcast and awareness-raising activities through sports events and projects
We conduct activities to communicate and raise awareness not only among athletes and sportspeople but also among sports fans and general visitors who drop by our competitions and events. For example, books on inclusiveness were placed in the athletes' village during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and in 2023, the "Sports Event Volunteer" team led a booth at the "World Swimming Championships 2023 in Fukuoka" to distribute information booklets and leaflets to deepen understanding of sexuality and leaflets to promote understanding of sexuality.
As LGBTQ+ discrimination and prejudice remains strong, we will continue to work on sharing accurate information to promote societal understanding of diverse gender and sexuality.
■About Pride House Tokyo
Pride House Tokyo was launched in September 2018 as a project that aims to disseminate information about LGBTQ+ and other sexual minorities and provide a variety of diversity-related events and content at the timing of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Currently, Pride House Tokyo is a collaborative project consisting of many NPOs, companies, embassies, and our eight teams: Education and Diversity Awareness; Culture / History / Archives; Education & Resources; Safety & Support; Making Safer Spaces; Athletes’ Messages; Festivals / Sporting Events / Volunteer; Network & Movement; Framework for Sustainability; and Legacy Management.
