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LGBTQ+ and disaster relief

February 10 (Friday) 16:30-18:00 (until 18:40 exchange meeting)

​Full live

Ellen Pearce-Davies(Master's Program, University of London)

Miwako Kitamura (Associate Professor, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University)

Difficulties faced by LGBTQ+ people in times of disaster

It can be said that Japan is a country with many disasters from an international perspective. Examples include the fire caused by the Great Kanto Earthquake, the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and the enormous damage caused by the flood in Hiroshima. Japan, which has experienced many disasters like this, has a lot of knowledge in disaster prevention research. However, when compared to international disaster research, Japanese disaster research tends to focus on hardware aspects of disaster prevention and mitigation, such as strengthening earthquake resistance and research on seawalls for tsunamis. I have. However, recently, in order to take measures against natural disasters, whose damage is expanding and lasting for a long time, it has been advocated to specifically implement disaster mitigation by reflecting not only hardware aspects but also social background knowledge in disaster research. I'm here.
Against this background, research on the social aspects of disasters is increasing. In particular, when focusing on social aspects, there is a gradual increase in research on poverty, minority people, and LGBTQ+ people who are in a difficult situation in the event of a disaster. Internationally, research on LGBTQ+ in times of disaster is attracting attention, but in Japan there is still little research on disaster prevention from a diverse gender perspective.
In Japan, there are people and organizations working on the theme of supporting LGBTQ+ people in times of disaster. It has been revealed that at times they are reluctant to go to evacuation centers for fear of being discriminated against by local residents. We also learned about the lack of access to the needs and support that LGBTQ+ people need in times of disaster.
In this research, we examined the difficulties faced by LGBTQ+ people in Japan during disasters, and asked the prefectures and local governments of Tohoku and Kyushu, which are most affected by disasters in Japan, to incorporate consideration for LGBTQ+ people into their disaster countermeasures. We plan to investigate whether Furthermore, we plan to conduct ongoing surveys of LGBTQ+ communities and support groups in the Touhou and Kyushu regions, and to hear about their needs in the event of a disaster.
In addition, this project will carry out asset mapping to map the resources needed in the event of a disaster. As a way to use this map, LGBTQ+ people and government officials can access this map in the event of a disaster and check in real time where the necessary resources are. For example, LGBTQ+-friendly shelters, medical institutions, and counseling services.
In this subcommittee, I would like to present the results of my research so far and explain my future research plans. We also want to advocate partnerships with the national and international communities to improve the situation for LGBTQ+ in times of disaster.

■ Reference materials

From the speakers to everyone
The Iwate Rainbow Network, an LGBT support group, has published a book called "Iwate Rainbow Network," which summarizes the issues faced by sexual minorities and countermeasures in the event of a disaster.
Rainbow disaster prevention guide] is being created. Regarding the troubled situation at the evacuation center, "we will create a time slot for changing rooms and bathing facilities that can be used by each person," and "we will consider a system to deliver men's and women's supplies separately, such as underwear, sanitary products, and razors." ” and other countermeasures are proposed.
 

Ellen Pearce-Davies(Ellen Pierce Davies)
Master's degree student, University of London

After studying geography at the University of Cambridge, he received a master's degree in disaster science from the University of London. As an undergraduate she studied lesbian parent networks in the UK and is currently specializing in the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in times of disaster. I met Dr. Kitamura when I was in my second year of undergraduate school. After working, studying, and volunteering in Japan, I would like to continue my research in Japan in the future.

Miwako Kitamura(Associate Professor, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University)

Completed the master's program at the University of London. In the doctoral course, I will conduct research on the theme of women in the Great East Japan Earthquake. After working as a photographer for 20 years, his volunteer work in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake inspired him to begin research on disaster risk reduction. Established a research collaboration between Tohoku University and University of London, and is at the forefront of research on women and LGBTQ+ in disasters in Japan.

報告文

 当分科会では、日本の災害時におけるLGBTQ +の困難とそれに対する支援について、現在行われているロンドン大学と東北大学の共同研究のプレ調査に基づく発表がなされました。
行政の防災担当者とLGBTQ+当事者の被災者への調査から、LGBTQ+の被災者が何に困っているか、行政がLGBTQ+の被災者への支援を行いたいと思っていても、LGBTQ+の被災者の存在自体を把握できず、その困りごとも伝わっていない現状が報告されました。
 さらに、今後の取り組みとして、災害時に必要な資源を地図上で示すアセットマッピングの作成などが示されました。

 Q&Aでも、参加者の皆様から、本当にたくさんの質問をいただき、時間の許す限り、お二人にお答えいただきました。また、分科会後の交流会でも、登壇者と参加者が交流し、登壇者・参加者の今後の研究・活動への接点ができたと感じています。

【登壇者からのメッセージ】

エレンさんからのメッセージ
 災害時におけるLGBTQ+の人々の権利と経験は、常に私の心に近いトピックでしたので、私の研究と経験を共有する機会を与えていただきましたこと大変感謝しています。私が母国語でない日本語で講演することに辛抱強く付き合ってくださった皆さんに感謝しています。講演後のディスカッションでは、多くの方が残って参加してくださり、非常に貴重な意見を聞くことができたのが印象的でした。今回の分科会開催自体が重要であるだけでなく、多様なSOGIEというテーマで自治体や国にアプローチするための良い手段になり得ると信じています。災害への備えは、個人、地域、政府の責任が重なるものですが、このような講演で意識を高めることで、LGBTQ+の人たちが、私たちがすべき災害への備えについてもっと考えるようになればと思います。

 最近、トルコで起きた悲惨な地震が多くのメディアで注目されていますが、この地震は、長年紛争の影響を受け、政治的、民族的、宗教的に多様な地域で起こりました。
 トルコではLGBTQ+であることを難しくしている複雑な宗教的・政治的要因があります。。日本とトルコのLGBTQ+の人々と組織の比較や協力から、特に災害リスク軽減の分野で学ぶべきことがたくさんあるはずです。
 もし、トルコの人々を助けたい、もっと知りたいという方がいらっしゃいましたら、ぜひこれらのチャリティーをご覧になってみてください。

The Mor Çatı Women’s Shelter Foundation

Queer relief fund for the 6 February Earthquake LGBTQIA+ and/or SW survivors

Pembe Hayat LGBTİ+


北村さんからのメッセージ
 まだまだ防災計画等においてはLGBTQ+の方々の存在自体がいないように思われておりますので、これからもしっかりと調査を行いたいです。今トルコでは地震があり多くの方々な大変な状況におられます。分科会でご一緒させていただきました皆様と一緒に多くの人々が安心して暮らせる社会になるように頑張っていきたいです。


【参加者の感想】
  • とても貴重な研究の発表をしていただき、感謝します。
  • 行政が被災者にLGBTQ+がいないといった認識に至っているという事実には、怒りを禁じえませんでした。被災者が5人10人なら、いない可能性もあるでしょうが、50人100人になった時点で、被災者にLGBTQ+がいなかったと結論付けてしまっては、行政がその責務を果たせていないと言わざるを得ません。止めて、LGBTQ+の被災者に必要な対策を防災計画に入れていただく事を、切に望みます。
  • 逆にその状況だからこそ、今回のエレンさんの調査・研究は貴重で、意義が大きいと思います。
  • 行政の防災担当者が、今回の調査・研究の意味するところをしっかり受け止めて、LGBTQ+の被災者に必要な対策を防災計画に入れていただく事を、切に望みます。
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