This list of resources were passed out by the Stonewall presenters from STONEWALL AJET, a group who provides support to LGBQT JETs who live in Japan. Soon, volunteers from the organization will be hosting a website here: xxxxxxx
Until the Stonewall website gets up and running, I'll keep these resources on my page for your reference.
Stonewall (English)
Stonewall AJET FACEBOOK Page
Also, see Old Stonewall, go to Download files and inside is an extremely useful guide, a little out of date but still freaking handy! Just open it up with Adobe, and make sure you download it before Aug. 31st, when the site goes down... Enjoy!
Stonewall google forum, Be sure to download the old, yet extremely helpful guidebook, which has a list of Gay bars/resources all around the country
SUPPORT SOURCES
If you are struggling with a problem, and feel like you can't get the help you need from either friends, family, other Stonewall members, or your contracting organization, there are a few help lines that can provide you with emotion support, or direct you to some answers.
I just called these lines today, in order to make sure that they are still working, and to ask whether they have any staff on-call that are trained specifically to deal with LGBT issues. Although, they didn't have any specific LGBT information, they reassured me that they are trained to handle any type of call.
*All of these hotllines are ANONYMOUS and in ENGLISH, with TRAINED STAFF.
*The JET LINE and TELL are open during daytime hours while the AJET Peer Support is open during the nighttime hours.
*If they do not have an immediate answer to your question, they will research and get back to you.
[Within Japan]
The JET LINE is a phone line specifically for JET participants, which is answered in English by CLAIR Programme Coordinators. Programme Coordinators are all former JET participants and are available to answer inquiries and provide counselling. Conversations are confidential and callers can remain anonymous. Monday through Friday from 9:00am-17:45pm.
(03) 5213-1729
AJET Peer Support Group (PGS) is an organization not related to Clair which offers nighttime call support from JET volunteers trained to provide you with support.
Phone number: (050) 5534-5566
Available 365 days a year
Hrs. 20:00-7:00 am
AJET PEER SUPPORT LINK
Tokyo English Life line (TELL) is an accessible, community-serving organization not connected to the JET Programme, that provides effective, confidential support and counseling for the international community. There is a call support line, as well as professional face-to-face counseling options. Located in Tokyo and Yokohama.
Phone number: 03-5774-0992
Everyday 9am-11pm
TELL: TOKYO ENGLISH LIFE LINE
Here's the link to the list of therapists. List of Websites link
Please call the Clinical Services Coordinator at 03-4550-1146 (English) or 03-4550-1147 (日本語), Monday to Friday 10am till 6pm.
For a website directory of English-speaking therapists in Japan, please go here Link of therapists
Here are the number of therapists in each area of Japan.
Hokkaido (0)
Tohoku/Joetsu/Hokuriku (0)
Tokyo/Kanto (37)
Chubu (3)
Kansai (6)
Chugoku/Shikoku (3)
Kyushu/Okinawa (0)
Overseas (3)
This last website was recommended by a therapist in Japan who writes here about transgender counseling. Link on trangender issues
LGBT Centers and Community Space and Other Resources In JAPANESE ONLY
Queer & Women's Resource Center Queer & Women's Resource Center link
Osaka
Kanagawa Rainbow Center SHIP Kanagawa Rainbow Center link is a community space located by Yokohama station on the west exit.
AKTA This community center and gallery in the heart of Tokyo's gay district focuses on AIDS/HIV prevention and resources. Take the elevator to 3/F.
2-15-13 Shinjuku Ni-Chome (see map), 3226-8998.
The website is very bare. AKTA link
It's number 25.
Community Center ZEL in Sendai
Japan Association for the Lesbian and Gay Movement (OCCUR)
(Address) 2nd Floor,Ishikawa Bldg. 6-12-11 Honcho Nakano-ku
Tokyo 164-0012 Japan
(Fax Number) +81-3-3229-7880
(E-mail Address)occur@kt.rim.or.jp
OCCUR link
HACO Hakata Community Center HACO HAkata COmmunity Center link
Founded for gay men in Fukuoka, its purpose is to inform and
prevent sexual infection/disease and HIV. Friendly and helpful staff, but unfortunately they cannot speak English. Library with information and leaflets on gay scene in other cities.
1F Everlife, 4-4-21 Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku. Tel: 092-404-5119
Email: contact@loveactf.jp
LOUD was established in Nakano, Tokyo in June 1995 as a community space for Lesbian and Bisexual women. However its premises are not only restricted to the Lesbian and Bisexual community, but are available for use by other groups who are sensitive to and endorse the basic philosophy of our organization. There's also a library of books in both Japanese and English.
Here's the link to the English page. LOUD link
Here's a link to the schedule of events http://space-loud.org/schedule
contact:loud@space-loud.org
[Outside Japan]
UK
London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard (LLGS) provides an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men, bisexual, trans people and anyone who needs to consider issues around their sexuality.
For email and instant message support
London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard link
For email and instant message support
The helpline operates from 10am to 11pm, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. The helpline number is now 0300 330 0630
USA
GLBT National Help Center
We offer free, confidential, one-on-one peer support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning people.
GLBT National Help Center link
If there are any Stonewall members who would like to start an Inter-Stonewall support system, and has had any training with LGBT helplines, would you mind sharing your expertise with the Stonewall leadership team. Stonewall Leadership is interested in strengthening the support system for the LGBT community in Japan.
[Other Great Resources]
Resources for people who have just come out to family, and would like to provide their family with some support for dealing with the news:
A 30 minute video interviewing and counseling parents about their child's coming out. This movie is called
LEAD WITH LOVE
LEAD with love Link
If you have problems with this link, you can also visit the official website Lead with Love Link
SOCIAL RESOURCES
Mixi (Japanese)
(gay/bi men’s mixi. Ask for an invite from Willie.j.inman@gmail.com
Mixi
There are many women's groups here too. You can ask for the women's invite from me, axlelaser@gmail.com
Utopia (both) Utopia Gay Japan resources
Gay in Japan (Japanese) Japanese website about gay life
Gaynet Gaynet
Ageha Club in Tokyo (largest gay event in Japan. Held about four times per year.)
Ageha, look for the gay nights in the calendar section
Nagoya Metro Club, once a month gay nights Nagoya Metro Club There is also a Metro Club in Kyoto.
Tokyo Pride Website Tokyo Pride
It is usually held in August, however this year, it will not be held.
“All about Japan homosexual” (Detailed lifestyle information in Japanese.) All about Japan Homosexual
QUEER JAPAN Book information Queer Japan
Sapporo Rainbow March Annual event in Sapporo, Hokkaido. 3rd Sunday of September (Japanese) Sapporo Pride
Kansai Rainbow Parade Osaka, October (Japanese)
Kansai (osaka) Pride
This event will be held this year, and is one of the biggest of the JET get-togethers for Stonewall members. Information will be posted to Stonewall group soon.
EXPLOSION Gay parties in Osaka (Japanese text only) EXPLOSION hosts a giant party during the weekend of the parade
Kansai Queer Film Festival: Sept and Oct, Osaka and Kyoto. Kansai Queer Film Festival
AIDS helpline: 0120-04-8840 Tokyo English Life Line: 03-5774-0992 (9am-4pm, 7pm-11pm)
HIV & Human Rights English Info: 03-5259-0256 (Tokyo- Saturdays 11am-2pm) 07-2043-4105 (Osaka- Saturdays 1pm-6pm)
Just in case you want some support from a professional:Professional Support
Rainbow Shoppers: Gay novelty shop with lots of items with quick delivery. (Japanese and English)
For the boys:
Iphone apps: Grindr (English)
Grindr Information
G2 (Japanese) G2
Jack’d (English) – iTunes store (free!)
Boyahoy (English) – iTunes store (free!)
Websites:
Gclick (Japanese) Gclick
gay.com (click on Japan room)
Jguys (Japanese/English)
Kiss Japan (Japanese/English)
Manhunt (Japanese/English)
Mensnet (Japanese)
Shibuya Gay bar has a list/map of gay bars in Shibuya
Bar Finder in Osaka and Kansai (good for bars in Osaka and Kansai)
Magazines: Badi (extensive club and event listings in Japanese.) “Kansai Time Out” (available in most bookstores).
For the girls:
Iphone apps:
Qrusher (English) Qrusher, the gaydar app for iPhone
Spindle (Japanese) Spindle, another gaydar app for iPhone Though most girls post in Japanese, there are more participants using it in Japan.
Websites:
Bianbian (Japanese) BianBian, a social network for Lez girls (ask Lauren for an invite!)
Tokyo Wrestling (English) Tokyo Wrestling: News and Updates about lez life in Japan
LOUD (lesbians with undeniable drive) LOUD website
Dykenet (English) Dykenet registration: an email list of many Dykes in Japan, a place to go to seek information from women living in Japan. This is a great resource from everything from finding friends and girls living in your area, to asking questions about gay life in Japan.
Novianovia.com (Japanese)
(Japanese) Lists some lesbian bars in certain areas, but a little out of date Carmilla
one of the only sex shops in Japan run by women for women Love Piece Club
Candy Strap, bar scene in Nagoya Candy Strap
Some girl’s only events in Tokyo:
Goldfinger Girls Party in Tokyo
Grand Panache Girls Party in Tokyo
