EP 209 "Alternative Way Of Unifying Same-Sex Partnerships In Japan ~ Pride Conversations Livestream Special" (PART 2)

Welcome to a special Pride livestream edition of the Breakfast with Tiffany Show, hosted by the wonderful Tiffany Rossdale!

Tiffany is joined by her co-hosts, Maki Gingoyon, founder of My Transgender Date, and Paulie Durig, founder of The Sacred Space Suisse, for an expansive and ever-important virtual conversation. In this episode, Tiffany, Maki, and Paulie welcome back Mana Tanaka for a special Pride Conversations livestream. The episode delves into the unique ways same-sex partnerships are navigated and recognized in Japan, highlighting the personal journeys of the guests and their experiences with societal and cultural challenges. Tiffany's aim is to explore the positive transitions and resilience within the LGBTQ+ community, focusing on how individuals have overcome their struggles and found their path to success.

The conversation begins with Mana Tanaka sharing the origin and significance of her name, which resonates across various cultures and languages. This introduction sets the stage for deeper discussions on identity and the misconceptions surrounding the lesbian community in Japan. Mana sheds light on the evolving perceptions and labels within the lesbian community, emphasizing how lipstick lesbians, who often pass as heterosexual, have become more prevalent compared to the more traditionally butch-femme dynamics of the past.

As the discussion progresses, the guests touch upon the discrimination faced by lesbians in both social and professional spheres in Japan. Mana recounts her own experiences of subtle exclusion and the advice she received to remain closeted in professional settings to avoid discrimination. Despite the progress in corporate diversity and inclusion policies, there is still a significant gap in understanding and genuine acceptance, as illustrated by Mana's encounters with HR departments unaware of the importance of LGBTQ+ inclusivity.

The episode also explores the unique legal workaround of adoption used by same-sex couples in Japan to gain some semblance of legal recognition and rights. Mana explains how adoption between partners serves as a method to secure inheritance rights and medical decision-making authority, given the lack of legal same-sex marriage or partnership options in the country. This practice highlights both the ingenuity and the desperation of couples seeking to protect their relationships and futures in a society that does not fully acknowledge their unions.

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