Discussion Guides

In 2020, we began to create discussion guides developed from our virtual programs. Each program recording is paired with a list of questions, intended to be discussed in a group. Our hope is that organizations and individuals watch these panel recordings together and then have a conversation. We hope you will find these programs to be engaging and informative. Okaeri’s goal is to create safe, nurturing and inclusive spaces for Nikkei LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, friends and allies.

Empowering Through Love: Japanese American Fathers & Their Gay Sons

To highlight the experiences of fathers of LGBTQ children and honor fathers on Father’s Day, Eric Arimoto (moderator) proposed to present a panel. It is his hope that this public dialogue will empower fathers and their gay sons to break silence, deconstruct limiting notions of masculinity and set the stage for even deeper sharing and healing. This guide has been used by PFLAG National.

Coming out Coming Home

As LGBTQ+ elders pass away, we lose valuable histories of trailblazers who, through their courage to come out and be visible, have paved the way for others to live authentically. This is a recorded discussion among an intergenerational group of LGBTQ+ community members and allies about the life experiences which make us all who we really are. Includes discussion questions to reflect on after watching the attached video.