How little "The L Word" would do in Japan

"The L Word," the American TV drama about lesbian lives, has made its appearance on the island of Japan. Season1~2 is now available even with Japanese subtitle.

There are also ads and special-recommendation section for this issue-tackle drama at my Rental DVD shop. Though I'd like to raise a question if this drama would earn as much financial and political success as it did in the US.

The reasons behind my concern
A: The unrecognizable recognition of "lesbian" in Japan
B: Which American drama is favored by Japanese now

First, lesbian is so much less recognized in Japan that some people might think it the fantasy existing only in a porn or anime. The bottom line is It's not out there.

Most of The L Word scenes, which are from powerful/educated women trying insemination to homophobes screaming and marching "You're going to hell!" in front of a museum, are surreal to this smaller island.

How could this socially meaningful drama trigger the similar sympathy in a country of different culture, religion, and tolerance?

Furthermore, looking at the fact "Queer as Folks" hasn't put its foot in Japan even though the drama had aired before "the L word" in its home country, I suspect Japanese drama importers focused mainly on the sensual sex scene of "the L word." I mean, they prefer gorgeous women having tongue kissing, to cute guys having sex.

Secondly, this relationship-oriented drama has already fallen out from " favorite American drama" category. (South Korean dramas have taken over the position)

What is now in the category are such as "24" and "Prison Break." These dramas have a big thing in common: they reek of Hollywood. Especially "24," which has won a huge success and popularity in Japan, is a drama oiled by the atmosphere of the US; when you have a CIA or FBI agents, and the fear of terrorism, it's gotta happen in America. You cannot make a 24-ish drama in Japan. That adds some novelty to an "import drama."

Here is my prediction: "Heros" will outplay "The L Word"

Japanese TV show : Onee － Mans

"Onee" is a guy who talks and acts like a girl/lady, not to mention he is gay.

*"Mans" ofcourse means "men", though broken-English is preferred to non-native speakers for easier understanding.

This show is a bit similar to "Fab 5" in the US, in a way each onee specialize in art, cosmetics, cooking, hair-dressing, exercising, fashion, and so on.

The difference: Onees take care of hopeless girls, not straight guys.

They often transform female comedians whose looks or faces are usually laughed at.

Or like Marsa Stuart, one onee cooks at the studio and introduces the easy recipe for a fabulous dinner.

I love this show... yet it holds a controversial aspect: the stereotype of gay men being girlish.

In the Japanese language, there is a distinct difference between how girls talk and how boys talk.

This fact makes it easier to find onees, putting them into a category of "who look like male but talks like female."

The result: Gay men who talk and look like straight are getting even less visible.

Oprah: Gay Around The World Pt 1

Found a detailed video on YouTube
about my previous posting!
Many watcheres have left comments like "I envy his courage."

Indian Prince exposed his forbidden sexuality, resulting in a blue-blood drop out.

(Source from ABC news)In India, homosexuality is one of its taboos.

So the entire nation was shocked to find out their prince, Singh Gohil, 41, was a sinner .

As he revealed his new identity, his mother turned away from him and never talked to him again. Instead, she talked to the press that she no longer needed her son as the loyal family member.

The former Prince, who used to have the future as a king, now lives as an activist by leading "his people." The politics is still in his blood.

I don't mean to make an insensitive joke, though I remembered the story of a prince turning into a frog. Coz the fairy tale speaks that being an amphibian means a leper...

But I hope he will have a happy ending of "lived happily ever after" as other straight princes have had.

Questions about bisexuality

What do you think?

Q1) Is bisexuality greedy or open-minded?

Q2) How do you define bisexuality?
4example: You've had a very intense kiss with a boy/girl in your whole heterosexual life. What would that make you? or You are a guy who find Johnny Depp reeeealy attractive. Is there a possibility to explore?


3) It's been said that you cannot chose your sexuality. Can you chose to be bisexual or not to be?

Thing about human beings are so complicated!!!

Today I confronted 10 line essay on the final exam.

I took a final exam in Reading class. On the test, there was a 'at least 10 lines' short essay writing whose title was "Do you think gay couples should also be able to get married? Why or why not?"

Here is what I wrote

I think gay couples should also be able to get married, for I believe marriage is an official form of love and dedication. When you make a vow of "till death do us part," you are convinced that your partner is the one whom you love deeply and want to stay with forever and ever. This feeling can be shared by everyone, no matter what their sexual orientations are. Since there are dozens of barren(reproductibly challenged) heterosexual couples, it is unjust to deny homosexual marriage because of the lack of procreation. Gay couples deserve the same right as heterosexual couples.

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I know my view on marriage may sound a little sugar-coated to someone... but that how I put from my heart. At first, I wondered which position to take, though I couldn't find any decent enough con opinions to write down.

Boycottford.com

One of the world's biggest car companies, Ford, advocates gay rights in its advertisements. As long as this is quite a support, some do not like this action, rather protest it.

AFA, American Family Association, which is against gay rights, had been complaining about the Ford's attitude since 2005, made a cite Boycottford.com to claim the refusal to buy Ford cars.

They emphasize the effect of their boycott on the web, saying "Ford sales have dropped in 17 of the 19 months since AFA began a boycott of the company."

It reminds us of the fact many people don't appreciate homosexuality, they rather loathe it.