Tokyo Rainbow Pride, one of the largest LGBTQ+ festivals in Asia, is returning to the streets of Tokyo this weekend. After a three-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers are expecting the biggest Pride festival ever, with over 1.5 million tourists from around the world.
For Madame Bonjour JohnJ, a drag queen and activist who is one of the main coordinators of the #UpdateHIV float, the event is an opportunity to fight against the social stigma and lack of education surrounding HIV and AIDS. JohnJ and their team are working on visualizing the float’s main theme, designing flags and placards, and selecting who will ride it. For the first time, HIV-positive members will walk in the front row, carrying a “We Are Positive” flag, in a powerful message to reduce discrimination and end the AIDS epidemic.
Tokyo Rainbow Pride is not just about the glitz and glamour of the Pride parade; it’s also about activism and advocacy. Nonprofits like ReBit and akta, together with queer businesses such as FTM Bar 2’s Cabin, will set up booths to attract new customers and spread awareness. The festival also takes place amid increased discussion on where Japan stands with regard to LGBTQ+ rights. Antidiscrimination protections, transgender rights, and laws on same-sex marriage here lag behind those of other developed nations.
The theme of this year’s TRP is “Press On Till Japan Changes,” and co-chair Natsumi Yamada hopes the event can encourage awareness ahead of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima next month. The festival is a many-faced beast, with booths, stage performances, and the Pride Parade, a colossal affair expected to feature thousands of people that runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
This year’s parade offers a wide range of floats, each with a different theme and purpose, from MarriageForAllJapan to TransMarch, Bisexual Conversation, and country-specific groups like Seoul Queer Culture Festival. For festival-goers, signing up in advance is recommended, as spots are limited. However, even those on the sidelines will find the parade a moving demonstration of the community’s effort for change.
Beyond TRP itself, the weekend will feature a number of Pride-themed shows and LGBTQ+ entertainment at local bars and clubs. These events include the horror drag show Casket of Horrors, long-running party The Ring, and go-go boy plus drag queen extravaganza Happy Pride Tea Dance.
At akta’s community center, Madame Bonjour JohnJ is busy sketching final plans for the #UpdateHIV float, looking forward to TRP as an opportunity to invite LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ people, young people, and people with children to this event. An eclectic gathering of people celebrating love and acceptance.