We encouraged individuals to explore topics, both positive and negative, relevant to identity and community acceptance. Works in this large collection represent a wide range of voices, from experienced artists to nonprofessional writers. Many of these contributors reside in various parts of California, close to where the organization is based. However, the project reached Nikkei of all ages living in Hawai’i, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and various parts of Japan. In creating our call, we decided it was important to provide opportunities for both Queer and ally individuals, thereby reflecting the core values of the organization.

The everyday expression, Okaeri!, implies the physical space of a household, a shared place of living. Indeed, this utterance is essential to our mission of creating a better, safer world for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer and Non-binary Japanese people of all ages. As Marsha Aizumi writes, the name reflects the hope that “no matter how long or how far you had travelled from the JA community, you can always return home and be welcomed.” For this reason, family and allyship take a critical role in the construction of a livable, compassionate place for Queer gathering. Okaeri aspires to promote the understanding that such an environment can only be created when everyone under the same roof participates in this gesture. These aims informed our desire to curate a volume that reflects all Nikkei voices: LGBTQ, parent, and ally.

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