Min’na no Mura – A Village for Everyone, held its virtual “Coming Out, Coming Home” event on Saturday, October 16, which included a viewing and discussion. The Okaeri-produced video focused on 4 Nikkei, all over the age of 60, and their coming out stories. After the video, the discussion points included
The post-WWII upbringing of Nikkei families, including the sentiment, “Do not bring shame to the family,” that was ingrained in many households. This sentiment was, and perhaps still is, a reason why so many Nikkei stay “in the closet” and are not able to be their authentic selves in public.
Marsha Aizumi shared her viewpoint as a parent that for individuals who have/intend to come out, having patience with family is key. Parents have a coming out process, too. Parents may fear the opinions and judgment of others based on their child coming out. However, it is important to remember that when a person comes out, they are often seeking the support and reassurance of your love, though they may not ask for this directly.
Coming out is not just about the sexual aspect, but also about an individual’s physical health, mental health, appearance, and the societal expectations and acceptance of family, friends, and colleagues.
“Come as you are,” a Buddhist teaching that has been spoken many times by San Jose Betsuin’s Rinban Sakamoto.
The event was well attended by a diverse group of individuals representing the LGBTQ+ community, allies, and those interested in learning more about LGBTQ+ experiences. Special guests included Marsha Aizumi of Okaeri, Gabrielle Antolovich of the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center of San Jose, and Ronnel Corre of the South Bay Queer & Asian Organization.
Min’na No Mura announced that they will provide 10 complimentary registrations for people wanting to attend the Okaeri 2021 Virtual Conference on November 12-14.