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AntSoc07


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Spaces and hope for sexual minorities in Japanese educational institutions 
Convenor:
Ami Kobayashi (Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf)
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Chair:
Andrea Germer (Heinrich-Heine-University)
Discussant:
Anne-Lise MITHOUT (Université de Paris)
Section:
Anthropology and Sociology
Sessions:
Friday 27 August, -
Time zone: Europe/Brussels

Short Abstract:

Based on the analysis of ethnographic data collected at universities and schools, as well as ministerial documents and school textbooks, this panel will discuss the questions of how sexual minority students perceive their heteronormative school setting and how they can may obtain a safe space.

Long Abstract:

The so-called "gay boom" in the 1990s and the "LGBT boom" in the 2010s seems to have increased the public presence and acceptance of sexual minorities in contemporary Japan. The number of cities issuing same-sex certificates is growing and more and more schools have started introducing so-called "LGBT-friendly" school uniforms. These changes give us the impression that the quality of life of sexual minorities has improved in legal as well as educational realms.

However, many activists have pointed out that Japanese educational institutions hardly provide any safe spaces for sexual minorities. In fact, many of these institutions are still very heteronormative and have often failed to provide role models for sexual minorities. Thus, in the existing heteronormative school and university setting, it is difficult for sexual minorities to believe that they have the same prospects and opportunities as cisgender and heterosexual students. We would like to understand how sexual minority students perceive their heteronormative school settings, how they might cultivate a safe space, and whether they can feel secure, be themselves and think about their future positively.

The scope of this panel covers a wide range of educational levels, from primary schools, secondary schools (junior high schools and high schools) to universities. Each paper will focus on the different stages of education and discuss whether and how respective educational institutions can provide spaces for sexual minorities. At the same time, as each paper uses different types of sources, such as ministerial documents, school textbooks, and ethnographic data (interviews and participative observations), this panel can present perspectives of various actors and agents who are involved in this issue, namely: students, teachers and facility members, prefectural educational committees, school book publishers as well as the Ministry of Education.

Our discussant is specialised in special education in Japan, so can lead a discussion on the intersectionality between disability (visible minority) and sexuality (invisible minority). The panel chair is an experienced researcher in the field of gender and queer studies and history.

Accepted papers:

Session 1 Friday 27 August, 2021, -
Panel Video visible to paid-up delegates