“I’m gay and a member of the sexual minority”, Japanese volleyball player Rui Takahashi of Suntory Sunbirds Osaka comes out.
The 26-year-old shared the news on his social media, sharing that he wanted to help others struggling with their sexuality.
“I’ve been afraid to face my own side since I was a child, and I’ve been troubled and denied myself,” Takahashi said in his post.
“That means I’m gay and a member of the sexual minority.”
Japanese volleyball player Rui Takahashi comes out as gay.Source: Instagram
“For about 2 years, I spent time on the same team as my younger brother, Ryo Takahashi, and it was the biggest thing for me. It was through talking to Ryo that I was able to acknowledge myself for the first time.”
“By putting my feelings into words, I was able to organise my mind, and I gradually started to think that ‘being myself is fine’.”
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Openly LGBTQ+ athletes in Japan are extremely rare
Takahashi is now part of a very small group of openly LGBTQ+ professional athletes in Japan.
Women’s soccer player Shiho Shimoyamada first came out as gay in 2019.
Kumi Yokoyama played for Japan at the Women’s World Cup and later came out as a transgender man.
In June 2021, the Japanese Olympic Committee appointed transgender former fencer Fumino Sugiyama to its board of directors weeks before the Tokyo Olympics.
Japanese sporting institutions are slowly openly discussing LGBTQ+ inclusion.
The Japan Sport Association now publishes detailed guidance related to sexual orientation and gender identity, and seeing Takahashi coming out on his own terms is a powerful thing.
View this post on Instagram
A new volleyball season as his authentic self
Takahashi shared that as he welcomed a new volleyball season, he “wanted to take this opportunity to express my own words to all the fans who have always supported me”.
“I’ve been able to face myself this far because of the time I spent with Ryo, the family, teammates, team staff, and everyone involved who have supported me. I am truly grateful for all the support you have given me in various situations so far.”
View this post on Instagram
“I will continue to do my best in volleyball and strive for personal growth in various situations. And for those who struggle with not being able to accept themselves, I would be happy if my words could be a small trigger for them to face themselves and make a change.
Takahashi said he was “truly grateful to all the fans and many others who have supported me.”
“I would like to continue growing through volleyball in my own way, just like Takahashi Ryo.”
Same-sex relationships are legal in Japan. However, same-sex marriage is not legally recognised nationwide. Protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity remain loose.
For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, and community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
