On the morning of May 27, the DP submitted a “bill relating to the promotion of eliminating discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity” (known as the bill for elimination of discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals) to the House of Representatives.

 

Sexual minorities such as lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals (LGBTs) face the difficulty of discrimination when they decide to come out or when their sexual orientation or gender identity is revealed involuntarily.  The legislation stipulates that the national and local authorities should put in place policies and plans promoting the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, and forbids administrative bodies and business owners from discriminating against people on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as providing equal employment opportunities in terms of both recruitment and appointment, prohibiting harassment and ensuring that bullying does not occur in schools or elsewhere.

 

The legislative proposal includes the following:

 

1.    Aim: to promote the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, and also to realise a rich and vibrant society where all citizens can coexist while respecting each other’s personal characteristics and individuality.

2.    Basic policy and basic plan for local authorities: the government will draw up a basic policy relating to the promotion of the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.  Prefectural governments and municipalities will each develop their own basic plans.

3.    Prohibiting discrimination: administrative bodies (both national administrative bodies and regional public entities) and business owners will be obliged to take the reasonable steps required to implement the removal of social barriers relating to sexual orientation and gender identity (business owners will be obliged to make efforts to accomplish this goal).

4.    Eliminating discrimination in the area of employment: stipulating that employers will be provide equal opportunities in terms of recruitment and appointment, prohibiting discriminatory treatment in any situation following employment and obliging employers to make efforts to implement the reasonable steps required to implement such measures.

5.    Eliminating discrimination in schools: ensuring school principals and the like take the necessary measures to eliminate discrimination and prevent harassment.

6.    Assistance measures for eliminating discrimination: establishing a system for providing counseling and support, as well as conflict prevention and resolution.

 

Press conference following submission of the bill

 

Following submission of the bill, DP member of the House of Representatives Chinami Nishimura, the senior sponsor of the legislation, explained that a bill for the elimination of discrimination against LGBTs originally drawn up by the DP’s predecessor, the DPJ, had been submitted for discussion in an all-party parliamentarian’s league, but that discussions had not progressed and the separate proposal of a bill for the promotion of understanding by the LDP had caused things to grind to a halt.  She said that the DP bill had been submitted in order to further debate and to enable the public to judge the DP thinking on the issue.

 

DP member of the House of Representatives Goshi Hosono, also a sponsor of the legislation, emphasized its utility, stating that those who had a LGBT as a close family member or friend could well understand the difficulties they faced at school and in the workplace and understand the need for the elimination of discrimination.  DP Policy Research Committee Chair Shiori Yamao, who also sponsored the bill, explained that that there had been close liaison with LGBTs during the drafting of the legislation and said she hoped that it would be enacted by the Diet.  The press conference was also attended by DP Next Minister of Justice Yosei Ide, who has responsibility for human rights issues.