Monday 3 December 2012

My impressions of Australia

Nico : This is the best and biggest thing for me. In Japan, I couldn't imagine such a thing. Never. Ever. It makes this blog a little bit serious though...

When I went to medicare to join it, MJ helped me do it. MJ told a clerk of medicare about the type of my visa. Then this clerk said to MJ, Then you are her partner, aren't you? 

‘Partner’, this word is not popular in Japan. Some people use it but it is really rare to use it for a couple. From the begining, lots of Japanese people don't know the existence of LGBT. Though there are a lot of gay men appear on some tv programs like variety shows, all of them are treated as comedians. They are requested to be silly or doing stupid things from directors, producers, and audiences. Even though they are famous and professional beauty therapists or choreographers. Then, how about lesbians? Lots of Japanese people can't believe they exist So some parents worry if their kids `become' gay men, but there are no parents who are anxious like that for their daughters.

By the way, for me, I recognized that I was a lesbian when I was 4. I can't explain why I thought it was better not to tell to my parents and family. But I recognized it and decided not to tell about it anybody. I felt it was really terrible thing and horrible. Then my closed life started. I shut my mouth and my mind. I often wonderd if I was born as a heterosexual person, I could live without hiding. But I have no choice. I was born as a lesbian and recognized it at only 4 years old.

So, the word what this medicare clerk said was really shocking for me. I was really impressed about public employees recognize the same sex patnership naturally. 

I thought I had to live without family and making my own family since I was a high school student. I thought I had no choice. 

But I met MJ. Though we came to Australia where MJ's homeland, I just thought it is the best way for MJ's career and to gain her experiences. Of course it is also good for living together. MJ and her family love each other deeply. 

I knew being in Australia is easier being LGBT than in Japan. But the difference is bigger than I thought.

I appreciate living in Australia and the people who are around us.       

2 comments:

  1. Hiding is a terrible way to live, and I'm glad you've found some peace and comfort in Australia. But what about your family in Japan? Do you have contact with them, and if so, how do they feel about your relationship? Or do they not know about it?

    By the way, I found your blog while searching for vegetarian options in Japan. I was there in 2006 and thought I did very well with food, but now I'm wondering if I may have actually eaten some meat and fish without realizing it.

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  2. I talk to my parents often now - and they are just happy I'm happy. I talked about our relationship to them about 3 years ago.

    There are many vegetarian foods in Japan. Buddhist monks eat no animal products at all.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_cuisine
    http://www.tofugu.com/tag/shojin-ryori/
    might help.

    If you are travelling to Japan, ask for 'shojin ryori' or eat at temples and you should definitely be ok. -nico

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