This week: Milken, inclusive India, UN expert in UK, Australia Board Association, Uganda Bill, Disney overload, the Party of Freedom, Montana shenanigans, LGBTQ+ Asian-Americans, and more…
I appreciate your comment on Japan, that culture shouldn't be an excuse for being behind on anti-discrimination and pro-equality legislation for LGBTQI+ people. At the same time, I note that it's not the only difference for Japan in the human rights space compared to most other G7 - with their position on the death penalty particularly contrasting. However, cultural relativism in the area of human rights in general and LGBTQI+ more specifically is an excuse more often used by Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Egypt and their allies.
Thankfully, you will not hear culture used as an excuse by Japanese diplomats. So if anyone else is using that excuse, they're doing a disservice to Japan and the possibility for progress. It should be considered as a political issue that should and could be advanced through political processes and advocacy. It should be seen as surmountable and not waiting for a so-called cultural change after our lifetime.
I appreciate your comment on Japan, that culture shouldn't be an excuse for being behind on anti-discrimination and pro-equality legislation for LGBTQI+ people. At the same time, I note that it's not the only difference for Japan in the human rights space compared to most other G7 - with their position on the death penalty particularly contrasting. However, cultural relativism in the area of human rights in general and LGBTQI+ more specifically is an excuse more often used by Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Egypt and their allies.
Thankfully, you will not hear culture used as an excuse by Japanese diplomats. So if anyone else is using that excuse, they're doing a disservice to Japan and the possibility for progress. It should be considered as a political issue that should and could be advanced through political processes and advocacy. It should be seen as surmountable and not waiting for a so-called cultural change after our lifetime.