[News] HBYA - Theme song "Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2012"

[AyumiAi]

You can be a fan of ayu and be homophobic... being a fan of someone's music doesn't necessarily mean you have to be a fan of their beliefs. Coco Chanel was a nazi supporter, just because people like her clothings doesnt mean they are anti jews...

[brener]

the logo looks so funny hahaha

[TeamAyu2004]

haha, walking proud... lol. thats a loaded gun.

[AyuBlackwind]

That squirrel...

I wish it looked more happy than shocked, it's starting to creep me out.

There should be a Japanese version of this:

[JCD13]

Perfect. Go Ayu!

[Refix]

Wow this is some nice news. The song it self is really fit with the parade. Nice.

[Bigtop]

I have no comment on this.

[jewelbox]

Well I think this is a good thing for Ayu, but the song itself is pretty horrible. But no complains anymore

[setsuka]

great,there was two prides in Japan this year

wish Ayu could have attended since I don't think ANY Japanese celebs has ever been really supportive of gay rights in Japan

proud of Ayu \o/

[happiholic★]

Originally Posted by setsuka

great,there was two prides in Japan this year

wish Ayu could have attended since I don't think ANY Japanese celebs has ever been really supportive of gay rights in Japan

proud of Ayu \o/

I said in my last post that Koda Kumi has stated very clearly that she is supportive of gay rights.

EDIT: Also, to those who have been saying mean things to the person who made a homophobic comment earlier, stop it. They have a right to their opinion, even if you or I don't agree. But don't say things like "go die", because that's just stooping to their level and making the gay community look bad. You're only reinforcing their beliefs. An eye for an eye is not the answer.

[freedreamer]

Originally Posted by happiholic★

I said in my last post that Koda Kumi has stated very clearly that she is supportive of gay rights.

and that is very evident in her works

[happiholic★]

Originally Posted by freedreamer

and that is very evident in her works

I find that, though, saying it is entirely different from acting that way in PVs or in concerts. For example, there is a model for a Japanese magazine called Happie Nuts who is obviously a lesbian. She fits the North American stereotype very well. However, when she came out a few months ago people in Japan were shocked. Readers seemed to think that she adopted the style because she liked the look. Using gay themes in Japan really means nothing, I find. I hope that Ayu comes out and explicitly states that she supports the gay community. It pretty obvious to us, sure, but in Japan she could be viewed as just being a diva and using gay themes for shock value.

[TeamAyu2004]

Originally Posted by happiholic★

I find that, though, saying it is entirely different from acting that way in PVs or in concerts. For example, there is a model for a Japanese magazine called Happie Nuts who is obviously a lesbian. She fits the North American stereotype very well. However, when she came out a few months ago people in Japan were shocked. Readers seemed to think that she adopted the style because she liked the look. Using gay themes in Japan really means nothing, I find. I hope that Ayu comes out and explicitly states that she supports the gay community. It pretty obvious to us, sure, but in Japan she could be viewed as just being a diva and using gay themes for shock value.

I think you have to also understand that what is Gay in america or somewhere else is not the same case in japan or asia for that matter.
I mean rainbows and cute things are not considered gay in japan, where as in america the rainbow is a symbol for gay people.

you just have to look at the culture. Just because you dress a certain way and act a certain way does not mean you are gay.

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by happiholic★

I find that, though, saying it is entirely different from acting that way in PVs or in concerts. For example, there is a model for a Japanese magazine called Happie Nuts who is obviously a lesbian. She fits the North American stereotype very well. However, when she came out a few months ago people in Japan were shocked. Readers seemed to think that she adopted the style because she liked the look. Using gay themes in Japan really means nothing, I find. I hope that Ayu comes out and explicitly states that she supports the gay community. It pretty obvious to us, sure, but in Japan she could be viewed as just being a diva and using gay themes for shock value.

There was this blog about lgbt life in Japan, (I belive based on videos and photos, as I don't speak japanese) it was mostly focused on gay rights, prejudice and stuff. You could easily find posts about Ayu there since Green PV was released. Anyway, Ayu is embracing the gay community on a very japanese way, recording videos on the gay district, having a gay pornstar on her videos and displaying homoerotism on her work for some time now (stuff like A Ballads cover, Rainbow PV and TA Limited Concert already had it). She is also running way from yaoi/yuri models when covering it, what is good cuz those are aesthetics mainly aimed to straight women.

She also openly said she is supportive of the LGBT community at least twice on Twiter, one of those 2 being a support message to this parade this thread is about^^

I personally prefer the way Ayu touches this time than Koda, BTW, as Koda tends to have hints of fetishism on her lesbian-friendly videos, what sometimes can make it looks like she is just using her sexy persona... In the end of the day, GLS officially was changed for LGBT cuz gay women were mostly ignored or treated as a fetish by media. Still, the fact that Koda openly supports it is amazing in itself, whatever the way she decides to shows this.

[kalikagai]

Damn, I wish I could be there!

HBYA is a perfect choice, it fits amazingly. Ahh, such great news!

proud of ayu (c)

[freedreamer]

Wow the news made it on Singapore local newspaper Straits Times
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_793843.html

[TeamAyu2004]

^ Yeah, its about being proud of who you are...
it has nothing to do with who your sleeping with.

But I do disagree with the fact that just accept it and move on is being insensitive since you just said when society changes it might be different. In order for society to accept it as a whole they have to accept it and move on.

Besides... Straight Day is like, everyday... lol...

[jbrat2219]

Yeah but it's one thing to brag about how special you are because you're a minority and another thing to love yourself for who you are despite how society treats you. And you're right emi, why take away an atmosphere where people can escape the harsh reality of the world they live in and love themselves? People are equal, yes. But not everyone is treated equally this day and age and pride events such as this are necessary to remind troubled gays that there is a place where they can go and be proud of who they are.

[emi♡]

Originally Posted by jbrat2219

Yeah but it's one thing to brag about how special you are because you're a minority and another thing to love yourself for who you are despite how society treats you. And you're right emi, why take away an atmosphere where people can escape the harsh reality of the world they live in and love themselves? People are equal, yes. But not everyone is treated equally this day and age and pride events such as this are necessary to remind troubled gays that there is a place where they can go and be proud of who they are.

exactly~

[happiholic★]

Originally Posted by TeamAyu2004

I think you have to also understand that what is Gay in america or somewhere else is not the same case in japan or asia for that matter.
I mean rainbows and cute things are not considered gay in japan, where as in america the rainbow is a symbol for gay people.

you just have to look at the culture. Just because you dress a certain way and act a certain way does not mean you are gay.

I was only using her as an example. Another example would be ABC's recent PV in which the main singer is in bed with another man. This kind of stuff is common in J-Rock, thought most J-Rockers are 100% heterosexual. Veeeeeery few rock bands here, especially the mainstream ones, would put their lead singer in the role of a gay man. And no one thinks that Yasu is gay because of this PV. Or that he supports the gay community.

Originally Posted by Andrenekoi

There was this blog about lgbt life in Japan, (I belive based on videos and photos, as I don't speak japanese) it was mostly focused on gay rights, prejudice and stuff. You could easily find posts about Ayu there since Green PV was released. Anyway, Ayu is embracing the gay community on a very japanese way, recording videos on the gay district, having a gay pornstar on her videos and displaying homoerotism on her work for some time now (stuff like A Ballads cover, Rainbow PV and TA Limited Concert already had it). She is also running way from yaoi/yuri models when covering it, what is good cuz those are aesthetics mainly aimed to straight women.

She also openly said she is supportive of the LGBT community at least twice on Twiter, one of those 2 being a support message to this parade this thread is about^^

I personally prefer the way Ayu touches this time than Koda, BTW, as Koda tends to have hints of fetishism on her lesbian-friendly videos, what sometimes can make it looks like she is just using her sexy persona... In the end of the day, GLS officially was changed for LGBT cuz gay women were mostly ignored or treated as a fetish by media. Still, the fact that Koda openly supports it is amazing in itself, whatever the way she decides to shows this.

Kumi does have gay (male/male) friendly videos too, not just the ones where she humps other girls, lol. For example, TABOO was written about people being too afraid of what is "taboo" and so we shun these things instead of trying them out and possibly embracing them. The PV has her walking in on her boyfriend with another man and she smiles at them, a gesture saying that she accepts them as they are. But, sexy is Kuu's image, so of course she needs to spice things up, no matter what it is. However, that image isn't for everyone. Kumi can be trashy, which turns some people off, even if her intentions were good. But, I hear she's all over the gay distract in Japan, both in person and as an icon, but then again, so is Ayu. But, I'm just kinda waiting for Ayu to say in an official Japanese publication that she is supportive of the gay community, unprovoked, because she wants people to know. But, overall it is tricky for either lady to do it, as Japanese singers don't really get involved in social issues they way North American singers do.