Akie Abe, the First Lady of Japan, spoke today in support of same-sex marriage at a gay pride event sponsored by the US embassy in Tokyo:
"There is no difference to importance of love from sexual orientation. There should not be any discrimination because who you love. I am going to raise my voice. If my raised voice could contribute to the pride of LGBT people, there is no greater joy."
Star Trek star and LGBT activist George Takei, also in attendance, had this to say:
"They have to have courage to come out and share their lives honestly," Takei said. Once they get a ball rolling, more movement would follow, like "a ripple effect" that spreads, he added.
"So I'm optimistic. I do think that Japan will be one of the nations that have equality and that too will serve as an example for other Asian nations."
(source)
