Research Summary: Glb Japanese in U.S.

By J. Scott Van Der Meid

 In Queer Studies, research is beginning to focus on minority and cross-cultural issues, yet little has been done about glb Japanese living in the U.S. The Japanese make up one of the largest groups of international students studying here in the U.S. For glb Japanese who come for academic study, the journey overseas often brings with it different challenges and, many times, a realization that their sexuality places them between two cultures.

For most Japanese, childhood was a time of struggle and growth. Some had a happy childhood, while others did not. The pull between family expectations, the pressures of school and the beginnings of sexual awakening made many feel isolated and unhappy. In their late teenage years, many Japanese began experiencing same-sex desire. During this phase, some found support in their family and others did not. Upon coming to the US, many glb Japanese began building a chosen family, not unlike many glb Americans who leave home and their families. For many, once they have been in the U.S. for a period of time, there is a desire to bring the biological family back into their lives.

Relations with the glbt community prove as complex for glb Japanese living here as experienced by other glb people. In Japan many had initial exposure to other glb people through television, their English language teachers, or friends in college. Most had their first encounter with another gay or lesbian person in their twenties, though most were with non-Japanese partners. The decision to come out or not is very complex for most Japanese. Many feel no need to share with their families since they live in the US and many believe that their families would not understand. In Japanese, there is no word which embodies the meaning that gay, lesbian or bisexual hold here in the U.S. Once in the States, most glb Japanese students report isolation, marginalization and a sense that they are the only one. No major group exists which organizes glb Japanese in the U.S. There are many glb Asian groups, but most Japanese don't feel a connection with other glb Asians. Most Japanese are in relationships with Americans adding the cross-cultural dimension to their relationships.

For glb Japanese living in the U.S., the challenge between exerting their Japanese-ness as well as their sexual orientation is often a new experience. For most Japanese, their strong identification with their ethnicity sets them apart from the mainstream glbt community. The struggles between one's group identity and one's individual identity as they move between countries are also evident. Which aspect of their identity is more salient depends on the person and the given situation.

Racism is another element which glb Japanese, like their fellow citizens, must face for the first time. Living in the U.S. provides glb Japanese with differing experiences de-pending on their backgrounds, geographic location, academic setting and the support resources available to them. Some students come for academic study while others come to escape life back home. Some come to pursue academic study and live in a society which values the individ-ual more. Some know about their sexual-ity before they come, though many discover their sexual orientation while here in the States. Students in Hawaii and California reported more support and cultural diversity within the academic setting as well as the glbt community. In the Mid-West and East Coast, students reported little support as glb Japanese.

The international student advisor (ISA) at the university or college played a role in some students lives, while others found the office and personnel too distant. Most students found orientation worth while, but said resources for glbt people were lacking. ISAs interviewed expressed frustration that time and money prevented many from providing resources to students who they knew needed the support. As one said, "If I can't get [Asian] students to ask regular immigra-tion questions, I don't expect a gay or lesbian Japanese to come to me with their personal issues." Some glb Japanese have been exposed to glb resources by their ISA. The experience for graduate students is a bit different than for undergraduates who are usually just coming out. One student attended a graduate glb group's meeting, but found that his "sexuality was not enough to hold me to this group even though they were fellow glb graduate students." While most Japanese believe that ISAs need not do extra programming for glb students, simply being aware of the issues and pointing people in the right direction would be helpful.

Glb Japanese living in the U.S. come from a variety of backgrounds and child-hood experiences. Many come for academic study and then during the time here, have an awakening about their sexual orientation. Issues of identity, family and relations to the greater glbt community impact their experiences here. Life at the academic institution is influenced by geographic location, the institution's support resources, and the ISA present. For many the experience brings them from feelings of isolation and marginalization to new, chosen families of friends and partners. Because no major organization exists for glb Japanese, there is still a sense of separateness from other glb Asian or mainstream glb groups.

This ethnographic study is meant to bring more awareness of another segment of our student population and our greater glbt community.