The Range: Newsletter October 2019
The range topics that shape our LGBTQ+ community is wide, this month we’ll explore some of them. September was “Sexual Health Month”, we re-examine how to embrace and enjoy our sexuality throughout our lives, along with respecting the sexual rights we all share. We celebrate “Coming Out Day” on October 11th as a reminder that one of our uniting thread is the power of coming out. We observe “Asexual Awareness Week” from 22-28 October, to educate ourselves about asexual, aromantic, demisexual and grey-asexual identities. Lastly, we honor “Black History Month” in October, as a celebration of the achievements by Black Individuals and to memorialize their contributions to society, especially for our human rights. Let’s commemorate our key milestones in October!
What is Sexual Health?
- Understanding that sexuality is a natural part of life and involves more than sexual behavior.
- Recognizing and respecting the sexual rights we all share.
- Having access to sexual health information, education, and care. Making an effort to prevent unintended pregnancies and STDs, seek care when needed.
- Being able to experience sexual pleasure, satisfaction, and intimacy when desired.
- Being able to communicate about sexual health with others, including sexual partners and healthcare providers.
(Source: American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/sexual-health/
Need to Make Greater Strides in Sexual Health
The LGBTQ+ community faces the challenge of multiple sexual health disparities. These stem from:
- A broad lack of informed healthcare
- Minority stress, induced by discrimination, stigma, and internalized homo- and transphobia
- Intersection of sexual orientation and gender identity with inequalities associated with race, ethnicity, and social class
Some of the major sexual health disparities faced by the rainbow community are:
- Higher rates of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
- Lower rates of Papanicolau (Pap) smear screening among lesbian/transwomen
- Higher rates of substance abuse, including those during sex
- Lower rate of health insurance coverage
- Lower likelihood of reporting health needs
- Lower access to sophisticated, affordable health care, e.g. antiretroviral therapy
- Lower access to preventive methods, e.g. PrEP and nPEP for HIV prevention
- Bias on the part of healthcare professionals, restricting access to medical care
These disparities need to be read along with other behavioral and physical ill-health and lifestyle disparities among the LGBTQ+ community.
(Source: National LGBTQ Health Education Center, Fenway Institute https://bit.ly/2Nt3QlS )
Accessing Sexual Health Care in Japan
STI & HIV/AIDS testing centers can be found throughout the country but are more available in bigger metropolitan areas. Larger areas may also offer services in English and other languages. As testing schedules vary, do check beforehand what tests are offered when. Urologists (for men) or OB-GYNs (for women) also offer testing, when showing symptoms (covered by insurance) or for screening (not usually covered by insurance). In order to get the proper tests call ahead or check online for in depth information. For detailed resources including HIV test center details and prefecture specific resources, check out Stonewall Japan’s page: https://stonewalljapan.org/resources/sexual-health/ . HIV Kensa provides a directory of HIV Testing centers throughout Japan.
National Coming Out Day – October 11
NCOD was founded in 1988 by Robert Eichberg and Jean O’Leary. Eichberg, who died in 1995 of complications from AIDS, was a psychologist from New Mexico. O’Leary was an openly lesbian political leader and long-time activist from New York.
The initial idea was grounded in the feminist and gay liberation spirit of the personal being political, and the emphasis on the most basic form of activism being coming out to family, friends and colleagues, and living life as an openly gay person.The foundational belief is that homophobia thrives in an atmosphere of silence and ignorance, and that once people know that they have loved ones who are gay, they are far less likely to maintain homophobic or oppressive views. This day is primarily celebrated in the US, the UK, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Ireland, though its popularity is slowly spreading elsewhere.
Coming Out: A Resource Guide
Throughout the process of coming out and living ever more openly, you should always be in the driver’s seat about how, where, when and with whom you choose to be open. The experience of coming out will be as unique as your own sense of identity.
- It’s important to remember that the journey from“Coming Out” to “Living Openly” is ongoing and unfolds at your own pace. Living openly is something that becomes easier with time. Even after you’ve been open for years, it will often take a little energy when you tell someone new — but it gets exponentially easier with each person you tell.
- Living openly as a queer person or a supportive ally can help to make it easier for young LGBTQ+ people who will follow this generation.
- Living openly will look different for you — something subtle such as displaying a rainbow or equality sticker or a loved one’s photograph — or it can be a deliberate process involving a planned conversation or the decision to always be ready to affirm your sexual orientation or gender identity should a situation arise.
- Living openly lets other people know, especially those who are judgmental or biased, that their attitudes are theirs alone.
- Living openly doesn’t mean that the sole aspect of your identity is being LGBTQ+. It means making this part of your life a natural piece of you — just like your age, height, hair color or personality. Always remember, this is your journey. You get to decide how to take it.
Here’s a fantastic resource guide for all those who are contemplating coming out: (Human Rights Campaign Resource Guide https://www.hrc.org/resources/national-coming-out-day)
Asexual Awareness Week: Celebrating the Ace Community
What is asexuality?
Sexual attraction — an attraction to another person that involves a sexual interest towards them — is a typical part of many non-asexual people’s lives. For asexual people, this concept can be completely foreign. Asexuality is a sexual orientation where a person experiences little to no sexual attraction to anyone and/or does not experience desire for sexual contact.
The Asexual(Ace) Umbrella
- Gray-asexual (or graysexual): an orientation where a person finds that asexuality describes a lot of their experiences, but that it still doesn’t fit perfectly. For example, someone who is gray-asexual might experience sexual attraction rarely, only under specific circumstances, or without any accompanying sex drive. Alternatively, they might not be able to tell whether or not they are experiencing sexual attraction.
- Demisexual: an orientation where a person can only experience sexual attraction if a strong emotional bond is present. Although this bond is required for attraction, it is not a guarantee that attraction will occur. Demisexuality is often considered a type of gray-asexuality.
- Aromantic: members of the ace community may identify as being somewhere on the aromantic spectrum. Much like asexuality, aromanticism exists on a spectrum which includes a range of identities characterized by varying levels of romantic attraction, such as grayromantic and demiromantic. An ace person who also identifies as aro (often referred to as aroace) may view their personal ace and aro identities as inextricable from each other or may choose to prioritize one identity over the other.
(For further resources for Ace members in Japan, please refer to our Stonewall Japan page at: https://bit.ly/30NzyNi )
Why do we need Asexual Awareness?
Coming out and invalidation: An ace person might worry that they won’t be believed, or they might fear being rejected or discriminated against if they come out. Beyond these issues, ace people typically have to explain asexuality to the people they are coming out to, making the process even more difficult and stress-inducing. Along with potentially invalidating their identity, people might tell an ace person that their non-sexual romantic relationship isn’t a real relationship or might tell them that their committed platonic partner is “just a friend”.
Sexual violence: When an ace person fails to conform to society’s expectations regarding sex, they are at a higher risk of experiencing sexual violence from those who might try to pressure or coerce them into participating in sexual activity. Ace people are also susceptible to sexual violence that aims to “correct” or “disprove” their sexuality.
Lack of understanding from medical practitioners and health professionals: Many medical and mental health professionals still lack an understanding of the asexual umbrella, and major psychological texts often ignore asexuality and label experiences similar to asexuality as disordered. As a result, professionals may not know how to appropriately provide care to ace people, and they may unintentionally invalidate a person’s identity. In some cases, ace people can be diagnosed with a mental or physical illness in an attempt to explain their lack of sexual attraction or desire.
Inclusion within the LGBTQ+ rainbow community:
Although outright exclusion has become quite rare, ace people can still have difficulties accessing LGBTQ+ community spaces. Ace people often face acephobic discrimination, making access to LGBTQ+ communities crucial. Ace people might need support as they come out, explore non-normative relationships, and navigate other challenges, especially if they are young. LGBTQ+ communities and organizations are perfectly positioned to play an inclusive and supportive role.
(For further information on the Ace Awareness Week, check: https://bit.ly/335Z8Pu )
Rainbow View
October Focus: “Black History Month”
This month is Black History month. Did you know that Black History month is celebrated twice a year? It is recognized in February in North America and October in Europe. We’ll highlight prolific Black figures from then and now.
Marsha P. Johnson: A black trans woman. She was a central figure in the Stonewall Riots and the foundation of the gay liberation movement in the US. She was a co-founder of Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (S.T.A.R) along with Sylvia Rivera, a latina trans woman. S.T.A.R provided housing and resources to homeless and transgender youth. She also spoke against police brutality, was an AIDS activist, and a community leader. She aimed to bridge the gaps on the divisions that existed amongst different queer communities and is remembered as a uniting and galvanizing force.
James Baldwin: Was a writer, poet, and activist. In his renowned book Giovanni’s Room, Baldwin discussed and addressed the intersections of masculinity, homosexuality, and bisexuality. He was often vocal about the ways in which the US failed people who were not part of the majority, be them black, of color, or queer.
Billie Holiday: Was a famous Jazz vocalist. She was openly bisexual throughout her career having relationships with stage and film actresses. She’s been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has won Grammys posthumously. Her influence on pop music and artists that came after her has been felt even decades after her death.
Laverne Cox: Is an actress, producer, and activist, most famous for her role as Sophia Burset in Orange Is The New Black. In 2014, she became the first transgender person nominated for an Emmy and the first trans woman to win a Daytime Emmy for television. She is a very vocal figure in the LGBTQIA+ community today, especially when it comes to conversations surrounding trans individuals and often appears on campaigns to bring attention to issues and call for change.
Frank Ocean: Is most known as a singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer. His music explores themes of blackness, queerness, masculinity, and love. As a Black queer man, Ocean’s coming out made waves in the music industry since black male queerness was not often discussed in the mainstream. He’s recently become passionate about encouraging more people to be more politically informed and engaged. Ocean has helped in the creation of a space that allows for Black men to exist and be embraced for their art, not matter who inspires it.