NEWS

Public Event "Peace and Diversity: Towards Promoting Acceptance of LGBTQ Persons in Universities"

Update: July 10, 2018
(From left) Junko Takagi, Catherine Tripon , Ken Suzuki, Hiroko Masuhara (all panelists), Olivier Ammour-Mayeur, Associate Professor(moderator)

(From left) Junko Takagi, Catherine Tripon , Ken Suzuki, Hiroko Masuhara (all panelists), Olivier Ammour-Mayeur, Associate Professor(moderator)

A panel discussion titled "Peace and Diversity: Towards Promoting Acceptance of LGBTQ* Persons in Universities" was held on June 9, 2018 (Sat) under the joint auspices of the French Embassy in Japan, the Institut français du Japon, and ICU's Peace Research Institute and Center for Gender Studies. The event, held at the International Conference Room of the university's Dialogue House, was attended by some 80 people including students, researchers, university officials and the general public, with discussions being held in Japanese and French.
* LGBTQ: A term widely used currently to refer to sexual minorities taking the first letters of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (those who object to normative identities) or Questioning (unsure of one's sexual orientation or identities).

Associate Prof. Olivier Ammour-Mayeur (Major: Literature, Gender and Sexuality Studies), who spearheaded this event, served as the moderator and the opening address was delivered in French by Junko Hibiya, President of ICU.

In the first session, a documentary video on LGBTQ individuals and communities in Japan was shown for about 10 minutes, which was followed by discussions on the topic "What is to be done to make diversity a source of creativity and make it beneficial for both the students, faculty and staff of the university?" were carried out with four panelists from Japan and France. The second session, after showing a video regarding the issues faced by LGBTQ students and faculty in Japan, featured a lively Q&A session and exchange of opinions. This was followed by the closing address, which was delivered by Mr. Laurent Pic, the French Ambassador to Japan.

At the event, participants talked about the significance of "acknowledging individuality and diversity." It also served as a rare opportunity to discuss the ideal social environment which accepts LGBTQ individuals and community without them undergoing overt or covert discrimination and exclusion, especially measures to be taken in institutions of higher education and workplaces.

The event was held also as part of the Rainbow Week (aka R-Week) held by the Center for Gender Studies. R-Week offers an opportunity for everyone to come together and think of creating a safe and comfortable campus for students, faculty and staff with diverse sexual and gender identities. The CGS alumni get-together "Rainbow Reunion," which brings together those with interest in gender and sexual identities, is held in June every year, in addition to various other events.

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A scene from the panel discussion