Overview
Homosexuality (同性愛, dōseiai) in the broadest sense of the term, refers to a lifestyle, such as a close affection or sexual love between the same sex.
There are a small number of people who are sexually attracted to the same sex who do not actually consider themselves homosexual (conversely, there are people who have sexual intercourse with the opposite sex even among those who self-identify as homosexual), and this is referred to as bisexuality.
The percentage of homosexuals in the population is estimated to be one to two per 30 people, regardless of the era or country. However, depending on the environment (prisons, boys' or girls' schools) or culture (love for men in ancient Greece and ancient Rome, in the medieval Islamic world, and in medieval and early modern Japan) where heterosexuals are scarce or absent, it can happen that "those who love and have sexual intercourse with (even) members of the same sex constitute a majority of society". Therefore, some argue that in modern society, heterosexuality appears to be the norm because heterosexual culture is the norm, and that heterosexuals are actually in the minority, while latent bisexuals, who engage in homosexual acts when the opportunity arises, may actually be the majority.
In fiction, including works submitted to pixiv, they are sometimes portrayed as gags or even ridiculously glorified.
Fan Works and Fiction
It has been treated since ancient times (especially regarding homosexuality in the history of Japanese literature, see more on masculinity and shudo).
In recent years, BL and yuri have flourished to the point of becoming a major genre in subcultures. In the past, they were often portrayed as "forbidden love" in creative works, but this is no longer the case.
However, homosexuality in fiction and derivative works is often very far removed from the reality in which homosexuals live in contemporary Japan. Homosexuality in fiction is often portrayed in a romanticized and glorified manner, but it is difficult to argue whether such homosexual fantasies have a positive or negative meaning for homosexuals.
Discrimination against Homosexuality
In Japan
As with heterosexuality, homosexual acts are not regulated by law (as long as the subject is over 18 years of age). However, there was a time when homosexuality was subject to treatment.
In 1994, four years after the WHO removed homosexuality from the list of "diseases" in 1990, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (later the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare) announced that it would follow the WHO's position. The following year, in 1995, the Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology, in response to a question from the Gay and Lesbian Association in Motion, a citizens' group of homosexuals, also announced that homosexuality was not a target for treatment.
Many individuals in certain industries, such as the entertainment industry, are openly gay. However, because of the many curious, prejudiced, ignorant, and misunderstood attitudes toward homosexuality, homosexuals in Japan often refrain from revealing their sexual orientation to the public at school, work, friends, and family. In addition, discrimination exists, such as in the social security system.
Related Articles
Human Being Sex Love Eros Gender Identity Sexual Orientation
Homosexual Homosexual Person Lesbian Gay
Transgender Gender Identity Disorder
BL Boys' Love Yaoi Comic Jun Fujoshi
External Links
English
Japanese
同性愛とは (ドウセイアイとは) [単語記事] - ニコニコ大百科 (NicoNico Encyclopedia)
