Restroom Signs for LGBT People Drawing Backlash

May 22, 2018

Osaka/Kyoto- Restroom signs for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, or LGBT, people have drawn an unexpected backlash from members of sexual minorities in Japan.

The government of the western city of Osaka has put a rainbow-colored sticker representing sexual diversity on the doors of unisexual multipurpose restrooms in the municipal office building in order to help LGBT people find it easier to use them.

But the city withdrew the measure following complaints from LGBT people. Multipurpose restrooms are designed so that elderly people and people in wheelchairs can easily use them.

An employee at the office of Yodogawa Ward in Osaka came up with the sticker idea after attending a lecture by a nonprofit organization supporting LGBT people.

After the introduction of the sticker in 2014, it spread to neighboring ward offices. But some LGBT people complained that they could draw unnecessary attention if they are seen entering restrooms with the sticker on them.

In the face of growing criticism, the Osaka city government decided to end the use of the sticker in March this year.

At a press conference last month, Osaka Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura stressed the importance of listening to LGBT people. He voiced the city's intention to continue taking measures for LGBTs, saying, "Doing nothing is the worst thing."

A large hotel in the city of Kyoto, near Osaka, put a sign symbolizing gender neutrality at its multipurpose restrooms, but some LGBT people voiced discomfort with it.

An official of the hotel said that it plans to continue using the sign for the time being, noting that similar signs are commonly used at elementary schools in the United States. There is no measure that can satisfy everyone, the official said.

In February this year, a meeting among LGBT people was held in Kyoto to discuss restrooms for sexual minorities.

A participant said that some measures are disturbing even if they are based on goodwill, while another voiced concerns over possible social recognition that LGBT people use particular restrooms.

"Support means offering a hand to help with individual difficulties," one of the organizers of the meeting said. "Putting stickers is not synonymous with support." Jiji Press