!Need Your Help! What is Pride for?

Hi all, this is Nisreen from Tokyo.

A friend of mine recently had a horrific experience at Tokyo Rainbow Pride, and needs your help to get some modicum of justice. 

I would greatly appreciate if you spare a few minutes to sign this petition! The deadline is tomorrow, 9th of May.

https://www.change.org/p/%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E3%83%AC%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%83%9C%E3%83%BC%E3%83%97%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%83%89%E5%AE%9F%E8%A1%8C%E5%A7%94%E3%81%AF%E3%82%B9%E3%83%9D%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B5%E3%83%BC%E6%8A%97%E8%AD%B0%E3%81%97%E3%81%9F%E7%94%B7%E6%80%A7%E3%81%B8%E3%81%AE%E5%AF%BE%E5%BF%9C%E3%81%AB%E5%95%8F%E9%A1%8C%E3%81%8C%E3%81%82%E3%81%A3%E3%81%9F%E3%81%A8%E8%AA%8D%E3%82%81-%E8%AC%9D%E7%BD%AA%E3%81%97%E3%81%A6%E3%81%8F%E3%81%A0%E3%81%95%E3%81%84?fbclid=IwAR2h1lUt8uRD7CXUZViwoEN0kDCtYUmIFPfG_ewkT-4pWcAGBdLt0FTA_WM

Takanori (not real name) protested in front of a booth set up by one of the sponsors, car insurance company Axsa. He was drawing attention to the fact that they had refused to allow him a spousal discount to his long-term male partner, despite applying several times. How, he asked, could a company claim to be an 'ally' when it denied the legitimacy of same-sex relationships? 

Though Takanori's protest was carried out alone and peacefully, a staff member of the Tokyo Rainbow Pride immediately called the police. Their justification for this escalation was that they were protecting the security of their staff and the participants  (though Takanori was protesting peacefully) and preventing disruption to the event (though Takanori was protesting alone). 

Fortunately, the police who arrived judged his protest was neither of these, and did not constitute criminal activity. They even expressed sympathy towards him when Takanori explained the motive of his activity.

Huffington Post Japan reported on the whole incident afterwards. The Tokyo Rainbow Pride committee issued a statement explaining their actions. However, they offered no apology whatsoever to Takanori for the distress caused to him. 

This petition seeks, first, to receive a full and complete apology from the Tokyo Rainbow Pride committee for causing the distress to him. Second, it asks Tokyo Rainbow Pride to re-evaluate and publicly clarify what criteria it uses to deem a company to be an 'ally' -- and explain how a company that makes no allowance for same-sex couples could be given this position. 

Article by Huffington Post Japan

Statement by Tokyo Rainbow Pride committee

Access to Nogata WIZ※ENG

Access to Nogata WIZ

The nearest station from Nogata WIZ is Nogata station, Seibu Shinjuku Line.

 If you're not familiar with this line and you are  my  fellow No-Sense of Direction Club member, I recommend you to transfer at Takada No Baba station (Yamanote Line) rather than at Shinjuku station- Takada No Baba is much easier. (Shinjuku is one of the most complicated stations in Tokyo, I think.)

And this is important- please take a LOCAL(各駅) train! Express trains don't stop at Nogata station.

There is only one gate in Nogata station. As you exit from the gate, go to the left -SOUTH exit. Take the downstairs.

This is how SOUTH exist looks like.

Go to the LEFT- pass under the green gate of " Nogata Kumin ShoutenGai" (shopping street).

You'll see a yellow sign of Matsuya (a Gyudon restaurant) on your right side and a building that contains Family Mart and Gusto on your left side- there is also a colorful gate of "ヤッホーRoad" in front of you.(shopping street).

Don't let the colorful gate distract you- go to the left -the small street on the right side of Family Mart and Gusto.

Finally, you'll see Nogata WIZ!

Go to the right side of the building, and pass under the green arched gate!