Most recently, some young gays and lesbians have become decidedly more visible (there is even a guidebook for the general public, called 'Gift of Gay', which details gay and lesbian influences in popular culture and history) participating in gay pride events and declaring a holiday on April 4, midway between Girl's Day and Boy's Day, wittily named 'New Half Day'. In a country where 98% of the population gets married, many homosexuals and bisexuals express their same-sex desires only within the anonymity offered by maze-like night life districts, the lingering wisps of Edo's incense-perfumed ukiyo (floating world). Gay liberation and activism have only recently emerged from the shadows, urged into the spotlight by AIDS and a young generation of homosexuals dissatisfied with widespread ignorance and stereotypes.
While uniquely fascinating, and offering a staggering variety of sexual outlets, modern Japan's gay scene can also be frustrating, discriminatory and oppressed.
