content: We followed the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir ("SGLC"), which is composed of LGBT members, during the second day of a sightseeing tour (in Tokyo). We enquired about the inconveniences and/or unpleasant interactions they had experienced on tour as an LGBT person and what we can do to help travelers that are vegan, vegetarian, or have other dietary restrictions.
Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir: Performing on the Global Stage
We followed the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir is a diverse choir group based in Sydney, Australia that visited Japan for the first time the other day. Formed in 1991, the group counts 80 members, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and straight members. Anyone who respects diversity can join the group, not just LGBT people. In addition to regular performances in Australia and abroad, they collaborate with other artists, record, and perform friendship concerts that contribute to LGBT awareness and international exchange.
Overseas visitors have increased in recent years, and inbound tourism will undoubtedly grow as the year 2020 approaches. Naturally, we can expect that this will include a sizeable population of LGBT tourists. LGBT is a blanket term for a group of sexual minorities and an initialism that stands for "Lesbian," "Gay," "Bisexual," and "Transgender."
We followed the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir ("SGLC"), which is composed of LGBT members, during the second day of a sightseeing tour (in Tokyo). We enquired about the inconveniences and/or unpleasant interactions they had experienced on tour as an LGBT person and what we can do to help travelers that are vegan, vegetarian, or have other dietary restrictions.
There is No Need for Special Treatment; However, Casual Consideration is Required
Some LGBT travelers have experienced prejudice or inconveniences while traveling; for example, one hotel was overly conscious and changed the reservation from a double bed to a twin bed when two men or women made a booking. In another case, travelers had difficulty entering or exiting a country because they faced questions about their gender on the ID or their appearance. Thus, prior to my discussions with the choir group, I believed that hotels and tour guides need to provide special accommodation for LGBT travelers.
However, when I asked if they had experienced inconveniences or unpleasant interactions while traveling with their partners, most members replied that they had not, or that they enjoyed traveling with other people. Some reasons may include the internet, where LGBT people can obtain information through online communities, and the increasing availability of LGBT-friendly travel services and accommodations.
The tour planner said, "We discussed potential attractions with our customer for about 6 months. We proposed a plan and SGLC responded with comments; we subsequently proposed a revised itinerary". In terms of selection criteria for the attractions, the planner said, "It is the first time SGLC and certain members are visiting Japan, so we focused on selecting sites that are popular among overseas visitors".
However, there were some situations that required casual consideration. For example, when the tour guide went to the bathroom with a choir member, the member said she often encountered trouble when using the women's bathroom in her home country because she looks masculine. The guide did not notice any nearby women that were startled at the time, but she noted that it may be wise to accompany members more frequently in preparation for such an event.
Support for Travelers with Dietary Restrictions is Still Lacking
Some tour members were vegan, vegetarian (do not consume eggs, dairy, or animal-based products), pescatarian (only fish), or could not eat pork, eggs, or seafood.
The number of restaurants that serve vegan, vegetarian, or halal foods (foods that are permissible under Islamic law) is growing in major cities in Japan. Nonetheless, they are still relatively rare and limited to certain locations, so travelers with dietary restrictions have a difficult time.
The tour company that organized SGLC's tour paid the most attention to food. The company said, "Most members do not have dietary restrictions, so it was difficult to find a place where everyone could enjoy and experience Japanese food culture". For example, the company had to find a sushi restaurant that does not use animal-based broth or that uses vegetables; a ryokan (Japanese inn) that serves shojin cuisine (vegetarian Buddhist food); or an establishment that could cater to diners with lactose intolerance. Accordingly, it was extremely difficult to find options that everyone could enjoy.
The guide who accompanied the group felt that it was relatively easy to find appropriate restaurants in Harajuku, but that prior research is vital. On the day, the group members would share any information regarding vegan restaurants with the tour guide and, when ordering, the members would show a note, written in both English and Japanese, declaring that they are vegetarian/vegan. However, when I saw the tour guide and travelers discussing the menu board outside, I realized that visitors feel more comfortable when accompanied by a guide, as opposed to traveling solo. In many cases, certain foods incorporate ingredients like broth or seasoning that are not always visible and that the traveler cannot eat. Travelers can obviously find restaurants by themselves, but it may be difficult to communicate any concerns or they may worry that the request was not understood. In such a case, the tour guide can ask the staff if the food contains any restricted ingredients or ask what the ingredients are and I feel like the traveler can enjoy the food without any worries.
A Little Help Goes a Long Way in Providing Peace of Mind for Travelers
It is becoming increasingly accommodative for sexual minorities, starting with LGBT people, and those with dietary restrictions and travelers are able to cope by themselves. However, I feel that a helping hand, such as accompanying them to the bathroom or guiding them to vegan restaurants, goes a long way in providing travelers a peace of mind. Most travelers have limited time and budgets and we want travelers to enjoy their vacation. If there are visitors who feel inconvenienced, I hope they receive support so that they can enjoy Japan wholeheartedly.
Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir
https://www.sglc.org/
