「白人」の「男性」の「異性愛者」はアメリカ社会で常に歴史の主人公の立場にいました。彼らはすべての文章の中で常に「主語」の位置にいたのです。そうして彼ら「主語」が駆使する「動詞」の先の「目的語（object＝対象物）」の位置には、「黒人」と「女性」と「同性愛者」がいた。彼らは常に「主語」によって語られる存在であり、使われる存在であり、どうとでもされる存在でした。ところが急に「黒人」たちが語り始めるのです。語られる一方の「目的語＝対象物」でしかなかった「黒人」たちが、急に「主語」となって「I Have a Dream!（私には夢がある！）」と話し出したのです。続いて「女性」たちが「The Personal is Political（個人的なことは政治的なこと）」と訴え始め、「同性愛者」たちが「Enough is Enough!（もう充分なんだよ！）」と叫び出したのです。
For weeks, Sugita’s party seemed to condone her views. But the Japanese people and even the self-censoring media are not letting this one slide, and now even within the LDP there have been angry and pointed exclamations of disgust.
「杉田の党は数週間にわたって彼女の見解を問題視しないでいたが、日本人およびセルフセンサリング・メディア（政権批判を自己検閲する日本のメディア）も今回は見逃さなかった。自民党の内部ですらも怒りと非難の声が上がった」
Currently, roughly 8 percent of the population identify themselves as LGBT. While Japan does not legally recognize same-sex marriage at a national level, local governments, including the Shibuya and Setagaya wards of Tokyo, have used ordinances to recognize same-sex partnerships. Other prefectures are taking similar measures.
「自らをLGBTとする人々は現在およそ8％だが、日本では同性婚は法的に認められず、渋谷や世田谷などの地方レベルで同性パートナーシップが条例で認知されるだけだ」
Beverage maker Kirin, e-commerce giant Rakuten, and some other Japanese corporations are moving ahead with policies to provide the same paid leave for marriage, childbirth, and other life-changing events to same-sex couples. (Note that even Japan’s stodgy corporations are able to conceive something that LDP politicians can’t seem to grasp: yes, even same-sex couples can have children.)
「キリンや楽天など日本の大企業には同性カップルの従業員にも結婚・出産やその他人生の大事なイヴェントにおける有給休暇など福利厚生を拡大している。（注：日本の野暮な企業でさえ自民党の政治家が考えられないこうした事例を考えつける。そう、もちろん同性カップルでも子供を持つことは可能だから）」
The Asahi Shimbun is one of the more liberal newspapers in the country and has been compared to the New York Times. The Asahi is strongly disliked by Prime Minister Abe, who has publicly attacked the paper, and who has in his meetings with President Donald Trump told him, “I hope you can tame the New York Times the way I tamed the Asahi.” Long before Trump was calling the press, “the enemy of the people,” Abe was making effective use of that tactic. (When Steve Bannon called Abe, “Trump before Trump” he wasn’t far off the mark.)
「朝日はニューヨークタイムズに例えられる日本のリベラル紙だ。安倍首相にひどく嫌われている新聞で、彼はこれまでも公然と同紙を攻撃してきた。トランプとの最初の会談【訳注：2016年11月の、当選直後のトランプタワーでの会談】で彼は「私が朝日新聞を飼いならしたようにあなたもニューヨーク・タイムズを飼い慣らせるよう望んでいる【訳注：正確には「あなたはニューヨーク・タイムズに徹底的にたたかれた。私も朝日新聞に叩かれたが勝った。あなたもそうしてくれ」と言ったとされる】」と伝えた。。トランプがメディアを「国民の敵」と呼ぶようになるずっと以前から、安倍はこの戦略を有効に使ってきたのだ。スティーブ・バノン（元大統領首席戦略官）は実際、安倍を『トランプ以前のトランプ』と呼んでいた。その言いはそう間違ってはいない」
Mio Sugita, who was not available for comment, is, like many female politicians welcomed into the LDP, an extreme right-winger and fiercely loyal to Abe. This is important to understand because she is a microcosm of the few women that manage to gain power within the LDP, which has more or less been ruling Japan since the party was founded in 1955. Even when LDP lawmakers are female in gender they are rarely feminists and often echo the sexist and extremist views of Nippon Kaigi, the right-wing Shinto cult, or are members of it. This group helped Abe stage a political comeback after his bumbling exit from power in 2007; most of his handpicked cabinet members belong to the group.
「杉田はコメントを出していないが、自民党に歓迎されて入った多くの女性政治家たちと同様、極端な右翼思想の持ち主で安倍に強烈な忠誠を尽くす。ここを理解することが重要だ。なぜなら彼女は、自民党で権力を握る少数の女性たちのマイクロコズム（小宇宙＝縮図）だからだ。自民党の女性政治家たちはジェンダーこそ女性だが、フェミニストであることはまずなく、むしろしばしば性差別主義者で日本会議や神社本庁などの極端な右翼の声を反映し、あるいはそのメンバーであったりする。これらの組織が安倍のカムバックを演出し、安倍は彼らのメンバーから閣僚人事を行っている」
The tone-deaf attitude towards the LGBT community by Japan’s ruling party is part of a pattern of picking on the weak in society, blaming them for being weak and then for society’s wider problems. When people dare to assert they have rights, the LDP pushes back even harder, whether against LGBT people, or foreign workers, or women, or third-generation Korean-Japanese, or the press –– when things go wrong the minorities get blamed.
「日本の支配政党のLGBTへのこの無知な＝音が聞こえていない＝態度は、日本社会の弱い者いじめ、弱者攻撃のパターンの一部だ。その弱者、少数者たちがより広い社会問題の元凶だと非難するのだ。そういうグループが果敢に権利を主張すれば、自民党の反撃はさらに酷いことになる。LGBTだけでなく、外国人労働者、女性、在日韓国人朝鮮人三世、そして報道機関にすらもそれは向けられる。よくないことが起きればそれはマイノリティのせいなのだ」
Partially blaming LGBT for Japan’s declining birth-rate is not as difficult as addressing the real reasons people don’t have children: a lack of real job opportunities for women, gender inequality, single-parent poverty, the destruction of labor laws so that lifetime employment is a pipe-dream, endemic overtime resulting in (karoshi) people working to death, sexual harassment on the job, maternity harassment. The wealthy old men who run the party don’t have any conception of working hours so long and wages so low that dating is difficult, getting married a challenge, and raising children is impossible. All of this while there is rising poverty as Abenomics fizzles out.
「日本の出産率低下でLGBTを攻撃するのは、子供を持たない本当の理由を解決するよりも簡単だからだ。日本では女性たちの仕事の機会が欠けている。男女格差、性差別、シングルペアレントの貧困、終身雇用制の崩壊、過労死、職場のセクハラ、マタハラ。この政党を運営する裕福な老人男性たちは、労働時間がひどく長くて賃金がひどく低くてデートすることも難しく結婚することはチャレンジで子供を育てることが不可能だということをさっぱり理解していない。これら全てがアベノミクスが立ち消えになろうとする中、立ち現れる貧困の一方で起きていることだ」
そして、結語が次の一文です。
It’s a lot easier to wage a war on LGBT people than it is to wage a genuine war on poverty.
「貧困問題に本当の戦争を仕掛けるよりも、LGBTを叩いている方がずっと簡単なのだ」
だって、アプリコットですよ。桃ほどに大きなアプリコットを相手に自慰をして（そしてそれは日本で巷間言われるコンニャクとか木の股とかとは違ってとてもお尻＝肛門性交に似ているのです）、その後で眠ってしまった自分のおちんちんをフェラしてきたオリヴァーに「何をしたんだ？」と冗談混じりに訊かれるわけです。エリオは真剣に打ち明けます。「I am sick（僕はビョーキだ/頭がおかしい）」と。
もうそういう年齢を過ぎているオリヴァーはその告白の深刻さを真に受けません。「もっと sick な（気持ち悪い、頭の変な）ことを見せてあげる」と言ってそのアプリコットを食べようとまでする。そこでエリオは本当に泣くのです。「Why are you doing this to me?（なんで僕にそんなことをするんだ）」。それはオリヴァーにとってはお遊びですが、17歳の真剣に悩むエリオにとっては自分の「ビョーキ」を当てこする「辱め」「ひどい仕打ち」なのです。彼はそれほど自分のことがわからなくなっている。そしてオリヴァーの胸に顔を埋めながら（でしたっけ？）「I don't want you to go....（行かないで）」と絞り出すように呟くのです。
オリヴァーがエリオに「Grow up. I'll see you at midnight（大人になれ。今夜12時に会おう）」と告げたあの初夜のベッドで、この映画のタイトルにもなる重要な言葉、「Call me by your name, and I call you by mine（君の名前で僕を呼んで。僕は僕の名前で君を呼ぶ）」と提案したのが、エリオかオリヴァーか、どちらだったのか憶えていますか？
それらの伏線となるのが、ピアーヴェの直前のシーンの、エリオの母親の朗読による16世紀フランスの恋愛譚『エプタメロン』のストーリーです。ドイツ語版しか見つからなかったその本は、ルネサンス期に王族のマルグリット・ド・ナヴァルによって執筆された72篇の短編から成る物語で、母親はその中から王女と若きハンサムな騎士の物語を英語に訳しながら読み聞かせます。騎士と王女の2人は恋に落ちるのですが、まさにその友情ゆえに騎士は王女にそのことを持ち出して良いのかわからない。そして騎士は王女に問うのです。「Is it better to speak or to die? （話した方がいいか、死んだ方がいいか？）」と。エリオは母親に自分にはそんな質問をする勇気はないと言います。けれど横でそれを聞いていた父親は（ええ、あの父親です）エリオに「そんなことはないだろう」と後押しするのです。
この母親による『エプタメロン』の朗読の力（to speak or to die＝まるでシェイクスピアのセリフのような「話すべきか、死ぬべきか」の命題）で、その直後のエリオはあのピアーヴェの戦勝碑のところでオリヴァーに告白しようと勇気を振るうわけです。告白の決心とともに、カメラは一瞬、頭上の胸懐の十字架を見上げるエリオの視線をなぞるように映します。そうしてからオリヴァーに向き合うエリオに対し、ところがすでにその素振りを察知しているオリヴァーは「そういうことは話していけない」と制止するのです。また Later と言うかのように。
これは自制心ではなく恐怖心だと書きました。なぜか？
ここに繰り返し現れる「話す/話さない」という命題は、ゲイへの迫害の歴史を知っている者には極めて重要かつ明白なセンテンスを想起させるのです。それは先でも触れたオスカー・ワイルドの有名なフレーズ、「The love that dare not speak its name」です。「敢えてその名を言わぬ愛」──ワイルドは、ダグラス卿との男色関係を問われた1895年の裁判で自分たちの恋愛をそう形容し、結果、2年間の重労働刑に処せられたのでした（このことは結局、オスカー・ワイルドの名声を破壊し、彼は悲惨な晩年を送ることになるのです）。知的なオリヴァーがワイルドの人生の恐ろしい顛末を知らないはずがありません。しかも1983年は、北イタリアの別荘地でこそエイズの影はありませんが、オリヴァーのアメリカではすでにレーガン政権の下、エイズ禍の表面化と拡大と、それに伴う大々的なホモフォビア（同性愛嫌悪）が進行していました。ゲイであることはまさに「話すか、死ぬか」の二者択一でしかないほどの恐怖でした。彼がクローゼットである事実は、誰もがクローゼットに隠れていた時代を示唆しているにすぎません。「敢えてその名を言う」者とは、つまりクローゼットからカムアウトするゲイたちのことです。そしてあの時代、彼らはほぼ、「エイズ禍と闘う」という社会的な大義名分を盾としなければ敢えてその愛の名前など口にできなかったのです。
新年最初のブログは、先日試写会で観てきた映画の話にします。『BPM ビート・パー・ミニット（Beat Per Minute）』。日本でも3月24日から公開されるそうです。パリのACT UPというPWH/PWA支援の実力行使団体を描いたものです。元々はニューヨークでエイズ禍渦巻く80年代後半に創設された団体ですが、もちろんウイルスに国境はありません。映画は昨年できた新作です。2017年のカンヌでグランプリを獲ったすごいものです。私も、しばらく頭がフル回転してしまって、言葉が出ませんでした。やっと書き終えた感想が次のものです。読んでください。そしてぜひ、この映画を観ることをお薦めします。
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冒頭のAFLS（AGENCE FRANCAISE DE LUTTE CONTRE LE SIDA＝フランス対エイズ闘争局）会議への乱入やその後の仲間内の議論のシーンを見ながら、私は数分の間これはドキュメンタリー映画だったのかと錯覚して混乱していました。いや、それにしては画質が新しすぎるし、ACT UPミーティングのカット割りから判断するにカメラは少なくとも3台は入っている。けれどこれは演技か？ 俳優たちなのか？ それは私が1993年からニューヨークで取材していたACT UPの活動そのものでした。白熱する議論、対峙する論理、提出される行動案、そして通底音として遍在する生と死の軋むような鬩ぎ合い。そこはまさに1993年のあの戦場でした。
We apologize for disappointing many people by failing to include same-sex relationships in Tomodachi Life.
TIMEは次のようにこの謝罪も速報しました。
The company issued a formal apology Friday and promised to be "more inclusive" and "better [represent] all players" in future versions of the life simulation game. The apology comes after a wave of protests demanding the company include same-sex relationships in the game
Disclaimer: I usually avoid using slurs of any kind, but for the sake of getting this point across, I'm abandoning that for this blog post. Please do not take offense.
There's a conversation happening right now that's long overdue. With growing tensions between the LGB and T components of our community, we are doing little to bridge the gap -- quite the opposite in fact. Instead of binding together to respect one another's viewpoints and have a meaningful discussion about language in our culture, we're jumping on the defense every chance we get -- further hurting the historic bond we have. It has to stop.
Gay men: Telling trans people to stop being so touchy and sensitive over language is wrong. For too long they've stood in the dark supporting you for your fight for marriage equality and protections under the law, while you make little attempt to understand their struggles. Why are you jumping to assume this is a new sensitivity or cry for attention? Why aren't you attempting to understand that MAYBE the trans community finally feels like it has enough clout in our society to speak up for themselves? Why are we trying to stifle that and treat them as if their opinions and feelings don't matter? Was there ever a time you walked by a group of straight dudes in high school, calling one another faggots and a little piece of you died inside? It doesn't matter to you that those guys take pleasure in using the word because to you -- it sucks. THAT's what it feels like to trans men and women when you throw around "tranny," like Rhianna's new single. You may use it as a term of endearment, but to others it hurts. And rather than get defensive over using it, maybe we should start exhibiting some compassion and understand how others are affected. Maybe you weren't negatively affected by the word "faggot." I'm happy for you, but there are people who have, so maybe take a moment to understand someone else's experience.
Non-trans drag queens: You are not trans. You don't get to throw around hateful terms, either, even if you feel you're reclaiming the word. It's not yours to reclaim. There are women who get beaten by their boyfriends or random strangers, left for dead, where tranny is the last word they hear. It's not a word that represents frivolity and flamboyance or whatever you want it to mean. It's not a joke, and trans people aren't a spectacle. When someone tells you they're offended by your language, instead of jumping to defend your free speech, take a moment to educate yourself on why it means so much to this person that you change your behavior. It's time we start considering each other's stories before assuming our own experiences trump those of others. RuPaul is a poor representative of this ideal. It's one thing to take pride in a term that may hurt other people, but it's another to blatantly fight the understanding of and compassion for those who are negatively affected by it.
Trans people: Please understand that there are cisgender gay men who are on your side, and please continue to have this dialogue. I understand you're frustrated, hurt, annoyed, angry, etc. on how you've been treated, and for me to ask patience of you is probably insensitive, but I do ask that you help us be better allies by calmly and eloquently continuing to call us out. Continue to let us know when our words, behaviors and micro-aggressions get to you, but please forgive those of us who make mistakes unknowingly as we work to change our language and understandings to reflect yours. Please don't assume all gay men are ignorant fools, and please -- no more rebuttals beginning with: "Easy for you, cisgender white men of privilege to say..." it doesn't promote healthy discussions either. Being an ally is a constant process of empathy and understanding, and trust me, we will make mistakes -- but it doesn't make us bad people.
We have made tremendous strides as a community together. We often think of the Stonewall riots as a momentous time in gay activism, and in many ways it was, but we can't forget that it was a collaborative effort led by LGBT people across the board. People like Sylvia Rivera -- a trans bisexual woman, helped make this happen. In our alienation of our taboo lifestyles, we bound together and created a movement. What happened? At what point did we stop considering the contributions and experiences of others outside of our own? When did arrogance and defensiveness take over our inclination for empathy?
Finding middle ground in a community as diverse, artistic, and expressionistic as ours is tough. BUT what we CAN do is respect one another and educate ourselves on how words affect us. It's high time compassion and authenticity and an attempt to understand one another be our goals in this fight for equality. Who knows? Maybe it could be the beginnings of a real revolution.
Russia’s Anti-Gay Crackdown
ロシアの反ゲイ弾圧
By HARVEY FIERSTEIN
ハーヴィー・ファイアスティン
Published: July 21, 2013
RUSSIA’S president, Vladimir V. Putin, has declared war on homosexuals. So far, the world has mostly been silent.
ロシアの大統領ウラジミル・プーチンが同性愛者たちに対する戦争を宣言した。いまのところ、世界はほとんどが沈黙している。
On July 3, Mr. Putin signed a law banning the adoption of Russian-born children not only to gay couples but also to any couple or single parent living in any country where marriage equality exists in any form.
7月3日、プーチン氏はロシアで生まれた子供たちを、ゲイ・カップルばかりか形式がどうであろうととにかく結婚の平等権が存在する【訳注：同性カップルでも結婚できる】国のいかなるカップルにも、または親になりたい個人にも、養子に出すことを禁ずる法律に署名した。
A few days earlier, just six months before Russia hosts the 2014 Winter Games, Mr. Putin signed a law allowing police officers to arrest tourists and foreign nationals they suspect of being homosexual, lesbian or “pro-gay” and detain them for up to 14 days. Contrary to what the International Olympic Committee says, the law could mean that any Olympic athlete, trainer, reporter, family member or fan who is gay — or suspected of being gay, or just accused of being gay — can go to jail.
その数日前には、それはロシアが2014年冬季オリンピックを主催するちょうど半年前に当たる日だったが、プーチン氏は警察官が同性愛者、レズビアンあるいは「親ゲイ」と彼らが疑う観光客や外国国籍の者を逮捕でき、最長14日間拘束できるとする法律にも署名した。国際オリンピック委員会が言っていることとは逆に、この法律はゲイである──あるいはゲイと疑われたり、単にゲイだと名指しされたりした──いかなるオリンピック選手やトレイナーや報道記者や同行家族やファンたちもまた監獄に行く可能性があるということだ。
Earlier in June, Mr. Putin signed yet another antigay bill, classifying “homosexual propaganda” as pornography. The law is broad and vague, so that any teacher who tells students that homosexuality is not evil, any parents who tell their child that homosexuality is normal, or anyone who makes pro-gay statements deemed accessible to someone underage is now subject to arrest and fines. Even a judge, lawyer or lawmaker cannot publicly argue for tolerance without the threat of punishment.
それより先の6月、プーチン氏はさらに別の反ゲイ法にも署名した。「同性愛の普及活動（homosexual propaganda）」をポルノと同じように分類する法律だ。この法は範囲が広く曖昧なので、生徒たちに同性愛は邪悪なことではないと話す先生たち、自分の子供に同性愛は普通のことだと伝える親たち、あるいはゲイへの支持を伝える表現を未成年の誰かに届くと思われる方法や場所で行った者たちなら誰でもが、いまや逮捕と罰金の対象になったのである。判事や弁護士や議会議員でさえも、処罰される怖れなくそれらへの寛容をおおやけに議論することさえできない。
Finally, it is rumored that Mr. Putin is about to sign an edict that would remove children from their own families if the parents are either gay or lesbian or suspected of being gay or lesbian. The police would have the authority to remove children from adoptive homes as well as from their own biological parents.
あろうことか、プーチン氏は親がゲイやレズビアンだったりもしくはそうと疑われる場合にもその子供を彼ら自身の家族から引き離すようにする大統領令に署名するという話もあるのだ。その場合、警察は子供たちをその産みの親からと同じく、養子先の家族からも引き離すことのできる権限を持つことになる。
Not surprisingly, some gay and lesbian families are already beginning to plan their escapes from Russia.
すでにいくつかのゲイやレズビアンの家族がロシアから逃れることを計画し始めているというのも驚くことではない。
Why is Mr. Putin so determined to criminalize homosexuality? He has defended his actions by saying that the Russian birthrate is diminishing and that Russian families as a whole are in danger of decline. That may be. But if that is truly his concern, he should be embracing gay and lesbian couples who, in my world, are breeding like proverbial bunnies. These days I rarely meet a gay couple who aren’t raising children.
なぜにプーチン氏はかくも決然と同性愛を犯罪化しているのだろうか？ 自らの行動を彼は、ロシアの出生率が低下していてロシアの家族そのものが衰退しているからだと言って弁護している。そうかもしれない。しかしそれが本当に彼の心配事であるなら、彼はゲイやレズビアンのカップルをもっと大事に扱うべきなのだ。なぜなら、私に言わせれば彼らはまるでことわざにあるウサギたちのように子沢山なのだから。このところ、子供を育てていないゲイ・カップルを私はほとんど見たことがない。
And if Mr. Putin thinks he is protecting heterosexual marriage by denying us the same unions, he hasn’t kept up with the research. Studies from San Diego State University compared homosexual civil unions and heterosexual marriages in Vermont and found that the same-sex relationships demonstrate higher levels of satisfaction, sexual fulfillment and happiness. (Vermont legalized same-sex marriages in 2009, after the study was completed.)
それにもしプーチン氏が私たちの同種の結びつきを否定することで異性婚を守っているのだと思っているのなら、彼は研究結果というものを見ていないのだ。州立サンディエゴ大学の研究ではヴァーモント州での同性愛者たちのシヴィル・ユニオンと異性愛者たちの結婚を比較して同性間の絆のほうが満足感や性的充足感、幸福感においてより高い度合いを示した。（ヴァーモントはこの研究がなされた後の2009年に同性婚を合法化している）
Mr. Putin also says that his adoption ban was enacted to protect children from pedophiles. Once again the research does not support the homophobic rhetoric. About 90 percent of pedophiles are heterosexual men.
プーチン氏はまた彼の養子禁止法は小児性愛者から子供たちを守るために施行されると言っている。ここでも研究結果は彼のホモフォビックな言辞を支持していない。小児性愛者の約90％は異性愛の男性なのだ。
Mr. Putin’s true motives lie elsewhere. Historically this kind of scapegoating is used by politicians to solidify their bases and draw attention away from their failing policies, and no doubt this is what’s happening in Russia. Counting on the natural backlash against the success of marriage equality around the world and recruiting support from conservative religious organizations, Mr. Putin has sallied forth into this battle, figuring that the only opposition he will face will come from the left, his favorite boogeyman.
プーチン氏の本当の動機は他のところにある。歴史的に、この種のスケープゴートは政治家たちによって自分たちの基盤を固めるために、そして自分たちの失敗しつつある政策から目を逸らすために用いられる。ロシアで起きていることもまさに疑いなくこれなのだ。世界中で成功している結婚の平等に対する自然な大衆の反感に頼り、保守的な宗教組織からの支持を獲得するために、プーチン氏はこの戦場に反撃に出た。ゆいいつ直面する反対は、彼の大好きな大衆の敵、左派からのものだけだろうと踏んで。
Mr. Putin’s campaign against lesbian, gay and bisexual people is one of distraction, a strategy of demonizing a minority for political gain taken straight from the Nazi playbook. Can we allow this war against human rights to go unanswered? Although Mr. Putin may think he can control his creation, history proves he cannot: his condemnations are permission to commit violence against gays and lesbians. Last week a young gay man was murdered in the city of Volgograd. He was beaten, his body violated with beer bottles, his clothing set on fire, his head crushed with a rock. This is most likely just the beginning.
レズビアン、ゲイ、バイセクシュアルの人々に対するプーチン氏の敵対運動は政治的失敗から注意を逸らすためのそれであり、政治的利得のためにナチの作戦本からそのまま採ってきた少数者の魔女狩り戦略なのだ。私たちは人権に対するこの戦争に関してなにも答えないままでいてよいのだろうか？ プーチン氏は自らの創造物は自分でコントロールできると考えているかもしれないが、歴史はそれが間違いであることを証明している。彼の非難宣告はゲイやレズビアンたちへの暴力の容認となる。先週、州都ヴォルゴグラードで1人の若いゲイ男性が殺された。彼は殴打され、ビール瓶で犯され、衣服には火がつけられ、頭部は岩でつぶされていた。これは単なる始まりでしかないと思われる。
Nevertheless, the rest of the world remains almost completely ignorant of Mr. Putin’s agenda. His adoption restrictions have received some attention, but it has been largely limited to people involved in international adoptions.
にもかかわらず、そのほかの世界はほとんど完全にこのプーチン氏の政治的意図に関して無関心のままだ。彼の養子制限はいくらか関心を引いたが、それもだいたいは国際養子縁組に関係している人々に限られている。
This must change. With Russia about to hold the Winter Games in Sochi, the country is open to pressure. American and world leaders must speak out against Mr. Putin’s attacks and the violence they foster. The Olympic Committee must demand the retraction of these laws under threat of boycott.
この状況は変わらねばならない。ロシアはいまソチで冬季オリンピックを開催しようとしている。つまりこの国は国際圧力にさらされているのだ。アメリカや世界の指導者たちはプーチン氏の攻撃と彼らの抱く暴力とにはっきりと反対を唱えなければならない。オリンピック委員会は五輪ボイコットを掲げてこれらの法律の撤回を求めなければならない。
In 1936 the world attended the Olympics in Germany. Few participants said a word about Hitler’s campaign against the Jews. Supporters of that decision point proudly to the triumph of Jesse Owens, while I point with dread to the Holocaust and world war. There is a price for tolerating intolerance.
1936年、世界はドイツでのオリンピックに参加した。ユダヤ人に対するヒトラーの敵対運動に関して何か発言した人はわずかしかいなかった。参加決定を支持する人たちは誇らしげにジェシー・オーウェンズ【訳注：ベルリン五輪で陸上四冠を達成した黒人選手】の勝利のことを言挙げするが、私は恐怖とともにそれに続くホロコーストと世界大戦のことを問題にしたい。不寛容に対して寛容であれば、その代償はいつか払うことになる。
Harvey Fierstein is an actor and playwright.
ハーヴィー・ファイアスティんは俳優であり劇作家。
ROBIN ROBERTS: Mr. President. Thank you for this opportunity to talk to you about-- various issues. And it's been quite a week and it's only Wednesday. (LAUGH)
ROBIN ROBERTS: I'm sure it is. One of the hot button issues because of things that have been said by members of your administration, same-sex marriage. In fact, your press secretary yesterday said he would leave it to you to discuss your personal views on that. So Mr. President, are you still opposed to same-sex marriage?
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well-- you know, I have to tell you, as I've said, I've-- I've been going through an evolution on this issue. I've always been adamant that-- gay and lesbian-- Americans should be treated fairly and equally. And that's why in addition to everything we've done in this administration, rolling back Don't Ask, Don't Tell-- so that-- you know, outstanding Americans can serve our country. Whether it's no longer defending the Defense Against Marriage Act, which-- tried to federalize-- what is historically been state law.
オバマ：まあ、そう、言っておかなければならないのは、前にも話したように私は、私はこの問題については進化を経てきたということです。前からずっと変わらず言ってきたのは、ゲイやレズビアンの、アメリカ人は公正に平等に扱われるべきだということです。ですからこの政権になって我々がいろいろやってきたことに加えて、ドント・アスク、ドント・テル【訳注：同性愛者だと明らかにしない限り米軍で働けるという施策】を廃止して、それでご存じのように、傑出した人材のアメリカ人がこの国のために（性的指向による除隊を心配せずに）働けるようになりました。それに政権としてはもう（連邦法の）結婚防衛法【訳注：オバマはDefense Against Marriage Actと言いマツがえているが、正確にはDefense of Marriage Act＝DOMA】を擁護することはやめました。この法律は、結婚を連邦法で規定しようとしたものですが、これは歴史的にも州法の問題ですから。
I've stood on the side of broader equality for-- the L.G.B.T. community. And I had hesitated on gay marriage-- in part, because I thought civil unions would be sufficient. That that was something that would give people hospital visitation rights and-- other-- elements that we take for granted. And-- I was sensitive to the fact that-- for a lot of people, you know, the-- the word marriage was something that evokes very powerful traditions, religious beliefs, and so forth.
But I have to tell you that over the course of-- several years, as I talk to friends and family and neighbors. When I think about-- members of my own staff who are incredibly committed, in monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together. When I think about-- those soldiers or airmen or marines or -- sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf-- and yet, feel constrained, even now that Don't Ask, Don't Tell is gone, because-- they're not able to-- commit themselves in a marriage.
At a certain point, I've just concluded that-- for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that-- I think same-sex couples should be able to get married. Now-- I have to tell you that part of my hesitation on this has also been I didn't want to nationalize the issue. There's a tendency when I weigh in to think suddenly it becomes political and it becomes polarized.
And what you're seeing is, I think, states working through this issue-- in fits and starts, all across the country. Different communities are arriving at different conclusions, at different times. And I think that's a healthy process and a healthy debate. And I continue to believe that this is an issue that is gonna be worked out at the local level, because historically, this has not been a federal issue, what's recognized as a marriage.
ROBIN ROBERTS: Well, Mr. President, it's-- it's not being worked out on the state level. We saw that Tuesday in North Carolina, the 30th state to announce its ban on gay marriage.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well-- well-- well, what I'm saying is is that different states are coming to different conclusions. But this debate is taking place-- at a local level. And I think the whole country is evolving and changing. And-- you know, one of the things that I'd like to see is-- that a conversation continue in a respectful way.
I think it's important to recognize that-- folks-- who-- feel very strongly that marriage should be defined narrowly as-- between a man and a woman-- many of them are not coming at it from a mean-spirited perspective. They're coming at it because they care about families. And-- they-- they have a different understanding, in terms of-- you know, what the word "marriage" should mean. And I-- a bunch of 'em are friends of mine-- you know, pastors and-- you know, people who-- I deeply respect.
ROBIN ROBERTS: And it's very-- a difficult conversation to have.
ロビン：そしてそれは、話すのはとても、難しい。
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Absolutely. But-- but I think it's important for me-- to say to them that as much as I respect 'em, as much as I understand where they're comin' from-- when I meet gay and lesbian couples, when I meet same-sex couples, and I see-- how caring they are, how much love they have in their hearts-- how they're takin' care of their kids. When I hear from them the pain they feel that somehow they are still considered-- less than full citizens when it comes to-- their legal rights-- then-- for me, I think it-- it just has tipped the scales in that direction.
And-- you know, one of the things that you see in-- a state like New York that-- ended up-- legalizing same-sex marriages-- was I thought they did a good job in engaging the religious community. Making it absolutely clear that what we're talking about are civil marriages and civil laws.
That they're re-- re-- respectful of religious liberty, that-- you know, churches and other faith institutions -- are still gonna be able to make determinations about what they're sacraments are-- what they recognize. But from the perspective of-- of the law and perspective of the state-- I think it's important-- to say that in this country we've always been about-- fairness. And-- and treatin' everybody-- as equals. Or at least that's been our aspiration. And I think-- that applies here, as well.
ROBIN ROBERTS: So if you were the governor of New York or legislator in North Carolina, you would not be opposed? You would vote for legalizing same-sex marriage?
PRESIDENT OBAMA: I would. And-- and that's-- that's part of the-- the evolution that I went through. I-- I asked myself-- right after that New York vote took place, if I had been a state senator, which I was for a time-- how would I have voted? And I had to admit to myself, "You know what? I think that-- I would have voted yes." It would have been hard for me, knowing-- all the friends and family-- that-- are gays or lesbians, that for me to say to them, you know, "I voted to oppose you having-- the same kind of rights-- and responsibilities-- that I have."
And-- you know, it's interesting. Some of this is also generational. You know, when I go to college campuses, sometimes I talk to college Republicans who think that-- I have terrible policies on the-- the economy or on foreign policy. But are very clear that when it comes to same-sex equality or, you know-- sexual orientation that they believe in equality. They're much more comfortable with it.
You know, Malia and Sasha, they've got friends whose parents are same-sex couples. And I-- you know, there have been times where Michelle and I have been sittin' around the dinner table. And we've been talkin' and-- about their friends and their parents. And Malia and Sasha would-- it wouldn't dawn on them that somehow their friends' parents would be treated differently. It doesn't make sense to them. And-- and frankly-- that's the kind of thing that prompts-- a change of perspective. You know, not wanting to somehow explain to your child why somebody should be treated-- differently, when it comes to-- the eyes of the law.
ROBIN ROBERTS: I-- I know you were saying-- and are saying about it being on the local level and the state level. But as president of the United States and this is a game changer for many people, to hear the president of the United States for the first time say that personally he has no objection to same-sex marriage. Are there some actions that you can take as president? Can you ask your Justice Department to join in the litigation in fighting states that are banning same-sex marriage?
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, I-- you know, my Justice Department has already-- said that it is not gonna defend-- the Defense Against Marriage Act. That we consider that a violation of equal protection clause. And I agree with them on that. You know? I helped to prompt that-- that move on the part of the Justice Department.
Part of the reason that I thought it was important-- to speak to this issue was the fact that-- you know, I've got an opponent on-- on the other side in the upcoming presidential election, who wants to-- re-federalize the issue and-- institute a constitutional amendment-- that would prohibit gay marriage. And, you know, I think it is a mistake to-- try to make what has traditionally been a state issue into a national issue.
I think that-- you know, the winds of change are happening. They're not blowin'-- with the same force in every state. But I think that what you're gonna see is-- is-- is states-- coming to-- the realization that if-- if a soldier can fight for us, if a police officer can protect our neighborhoods-- if a fire fighter is expected to go into a burning building-- to save our possessions or our kids. The notion that after they were done with that, that we'd say to them, "Oh but by the way, we're gonna treat you differently. That you may not be able to-- enjoy-- the-- the ability of-- of passing on-- what you have to your loved one, if you-- if you die. The notion that somehow if-- if you get sick, your loved one might have trouble visiting you in a hospital."
You know, I think that as more and more folks think about it, they're gonna say, you know, "That's not who we are." And-- and-- as I said, I want to-- I want to emphasize-- that-- I've got a lot of friends-- on the other side of this issue. You know, I'm sure they'll be callin' me up and-- and I respect them. And I understand their perspective, in part, because-- their impulse is the right one. Which is they want to-- they want to preserve and strengthen families.
And I think they're concerned about-- won't you see families breaking down. It's just that-- maybe they haven't had the experience that I have had in seeing same-sex couples, who are as committed, as monogamous, as responsible-- as loving of-- of-- of a group of parents as-- any-- heterose-- sexual couple that I know. And in some cases, more so.
And, you know-- if you look at the underlying values that we care so deeply about when we describe family, commitment, responsibility, lookin' after one another-- you know, teaching-- our kids to-- to be responsible citizens and-- caring for one another-- I actually think that-- you know, it's consistent with our best and in some cases our most conservative values, sort of the foundation of what-- made this country great.
ROBIN ROBERTS: Obviously, you have put a lot of thought into this. And you bring up Mitt Romney. And you and others in your administration have been critical of him changing positions, feeling that he's doing it for political gain. You realize there are going to be some people that are going to be saying the same with you about this, when you are not president, you were for gay marriage. Then 2007, you changed your position. A couple years ago, you said you were evolving. And the evolution seems to have been something that we're discussing right now. But do you-- do you see where some people might consider that the same thing, being politics?
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, if you-- if you look at my trajectory here, I've always been strongly in favor of civil unions. Always been strongly opposed to discrimination against gays and lesbians. I've been consistent in my overall trajectory. The one thing that-- I've wrestled with is-- this gay marriage issue. And-- I think it'd be hard to argue that somehow this is-- something that I'd be doin' for political advantage-- because frankly, you know-- you know, the politics, it's not clear how they cut.
In some places that are gonna be pretty important-- in this electoral map-- it may hurt me. But-- you know, I think it-- it was important for me, given how much attention this issue was getting, both here in Washington, but-- elsewhere, for me to go ahead, "Let's be clear. Here's what I believe." But I'm not gonna be spending most of my time talking about this, because frankly-- my job as president right now, my biggest priority is to make sure that-- we're growing the economy, that we're puttin' people back to work, that we're managing the draw down in Afghanistan, effectively. Those are the things that-- I'm gonna focus on. And-- I'm sure there's gonna be more than enough to argue about with the other side, when it comes to-- when it comes to our politics.
たいへん重要になるいくつかの場所で、今回の選挙区のことですが、これは私に凶と出るかもしれません。それでも、その、この問題がここワシントンでもどこでもどれだけ関心の的になるかを考えれば、前に出て「はっきりさせよう。これが私の信じていることだ」と言うことは私にとって重要なことだったんです。でも、私はこのことに自分の時間の大半を割くわけにもいきません。というのも率直に言って、大統領としての私の仕事はいま、私の最大の優先事項は経済を成長させること、国民を職場に戻すこと、アフガニスタンからの撤兵を効果的にやり遂げること、それらを確実なものにすることなのです。そういうことに私は焦点を定めています。それが我々の政治問題となるときには、共和党側とは十二分に議論することがあると思います。
In recent years, Ted Haggard, an evangelical leader who preached that homosexuality was a sin, resigned after a scandal involving a former male prostitute; Larry Craig, a United States senator who opposed including sexual orientation in hate-crime legislation, was arrested on suspicion of lewd conduct in a men’s bathroom; and Glenn Murphy Jr., a leader of the Young Republican National Convention and an opponent of same-sex marriage, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge after being accused of sexually assaulting another man.
One theory is that homosexual urges, when repressed out of shame or fear, can be expressed as homophobia. Freud famously called this process a “reaction formation” — the angry battle against the outward symbol of feelings that are inwardly being stifled. Even Mr. Haggard seemed to endorse this idea when, apologizing after his scandal for his anti-gay rhetoric, he said, “I think I was partially so vehement because of my own war.”
It’s a compelling theory — and now there is scientific reason to believe it. In this month’s issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, we and our fellow researchers provide empirical evidence that homophobia can result, at least in part, from the suppression of same-sex desire.
これは説得力のある考え方だ──そしていまそれは信じるに足る科学的な根拠を得ている。今月号のJournal of Personality and Social Psychology（『人格と社会心理学ジャーナル』）で、私と同僚の研究者たちは、ホモフォビアが、少なくともある程度以上に、同性への欲望の抑圧の結果であるという検証結果を提示している。
Our paper describes six studies conducted in the United States and Germany involving 784 university students. Participants rated their sexual orientation on a 10-point scale, ranging from gay to straight. Then they took a computer-administered test designed to measure their implicit sexual orientation. In the test, the participants were shown images and words indicative of hetero- and homosexuality (pictures of same-sex and straight couples, words like “homosexual” and “gay”) and were asked to sort them into the appropriate category, gay or straight, as quickly as possible. The computer measured their reaction times.
The twist was that before each word and image appeared, the word “me” or “other” was flashed on the screen for 35 milliseconds — long enough for participants to subliminally process the word but short enough that they could not consciously see it. The theory here, known as semantic association, is that when “me” precedes words or images that reflect your sexual orientation (for example, heterosexual images for a straight person), you will sort these images into the correct category faster than when “me” precedes words or images that are incongruent with your sexual orientation (for example, homosexual images for a straight person). This technique, adapted from similar tests used to assess attitudes like subconscious racial bias, reliably distinguishes between self-identified straight individuals and those who self-identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual.
Using this methodology we identified a subgroup of participants who, despite self-identifying as highly straight, indicated some level of same-sex attraction (that is, they associated “me” with gay-related words and pictures faster than they associated “me” with straight-related words and pictures). Over 20 percent of self-described highly straight individuals showed this discrepancy.
Notably, these “discrepant” individuals were also significantly more likely than other participants to favor anti-gay policies; to be willing to assign significantly harsher punishments to perpetrators of petty crimes if they were presumed to be homosexual; and to express greater implicit hostility toward gay subjects (also measured with the help of subliminal priming). Thus our research suggests that some who oppose homosexuality do tacitly harbor same-sex attraction.
What leads to this repression? We found that participants who reported having supportive and accepting parents were more in touch with their implicit sexual orientation and less susceptible to homophobia. Individuals whose sexual identity was at odds with their implicit sexual attraction were much more frequently raised by parents perceived to be controlling, less accepting and more prejudiced against homosexuals.
It’s important to stress the obvious: Not all those who campaign against gay men and lesbians secretly feel same-sex attractions. But at least some who oppose homosexuality are likely to be individuals struggling against parts of themselves, having themselves been victims of oppression and lack of acceptance. The costs are great, not only for the targets of anti-gay efforts but also often for the perpetrators. We would do well to remember that all involved deserve our compassion.
Richard M. Ryan is a professor of psychology, psychiatry and education at the University of Rochester. William S. Ryan is a doctoral student in psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2011
2011年レズビアン・ゲイ・バイセクシュアル・トランスジェンダー・プライド月間
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
アメリカ合州国大統領による
A PROCLAMATION
宣言
The story of America's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community is the story of our fathers and sons, our mothers and daughters, and our friends and neighbors who continue the task of making our country a more perfect Union. It is a story about the struggle to realize the great American promise that all people can live with dignity and fairness under the law. Each June, we commemorate the courageous individuals who have fought to achieve this promise for LGBT Americans, and we rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Since taking office, my Administration has made significant progress towards achieving equality for LGBT Americans. Last December, I was proud to sign the repeal of the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. With this repeal, gay and lesbian Americans will be able to serve openly in our Armed Forces for the first time in our Nation's history. Our national security will be strengthened and the heroic contributions these Americans make to our military, and have made throughout our history, will be fully recognized.
My Administration has also taken steps to eliminate discrimination against LGBT Americans in Federal housing programs and to give LGBT Americans the right to visit their loved ones in the hospital. We have made clear through executive branch nondiscrimination policies that discrimination on the basis of gender identity in the Federal workplace will not be tolerated. I have continued to nominate and appoint highly qualified, openly LGBT individuals to executive branch and judicial positions. Because we recognize that LGBT rights are human rights, my Administration stands with advocates of equality around the world in leading the fight against pernicious laws targeting LGBT persons and malicious attempts to exclude LGBT organizations from full participation in the international system. We led a global campaign to ensure "sexual orientation" was included in the United Nations resolution on extrajudicial execution — the only United Nations resolution that specifically mentions LGBT people — to send the unequivocal message that no matter where it occurs, state-sanctioned killing of gays and lesbians is indefensible. No one should be harmed because of who they are or who they love, and my Administration has mobilized unprecedented public commitments from countries around the world to join in the fight against hate and homophobia.
At home, we are working to address and eliminate violence against LGBT individuals through our enforcement and implementation of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. We are also working to reduce the threat of bullying against young people, including LGBT youth. My Administration is actively engaged with educators and community leaders across America to reduce violence and discrimination in schools. To help dispel the myth that bullying is a harmless or inevitable part of growing up, the First Lady and I hosted the first White House Conference on Bullying Prevention in March. Many senior Administration officials have also joined me in reaching out to LGBT youth who have been bullied by recording "It Gets Better" video messages to assure them they are not alone.
This month also marks the 30th anniversary of the emergence of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which has had a profound impact on the LGBT community. Though we have made strides in combating this devastating disease, more work remains to be done, and I am committed to expanding access to HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Last year, I announced the first comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States. This strategy focuses on combinations of evidence-based approaches to decrease new HIV infections in high risk communities, improve care for people living with HIV/AIDS, and reduce health disparities. My Administration also increased domestic HIV/AIDS funding to support the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and HIV prevention, and to invest in HIV/AIDS-related research. However, government cannot take on this disease alone. This landmark anniversary is an opportunity for the LGBT community and allies to recommit to raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and continuing the fight against this deadly pandemic.
Every generation of Americans has brought our Nation closer to fulfilling its promise of equality. While progress has taken time, our achievements in advancing the rights of LGBT Americans remind us that history is on our side, and that the American people will never stop striving toward liberty and justice for all.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2011 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
shelter me シェルターになって
by ROMA Tanaka 田中ロウマ （訳詞はわたしのです。非公認ですけどw）
its raining out side 外では雨が降っている
can I come in just for a little while ちょっとだけ入っていいかな
inside me, there's a past I can't let go ぼくの中、忘れられない過去があって
and now consumes my soul それがぼくの魂を食い尽くす
you are everything I have always been waiting for きみはぼくがずっと待っていたもののすべて
and someone who'll tear down these walls この壁を壊してくれるだれか
will you show me how to love どうやって愛したらいいか教えてください
shelter me, comfort me シェルターになって 慰めて
all my scars have shown and I am here 傷をみんなさらけ出して ぼくはここにいる
ready to love 愛することを待ちながら
shelter me comfort my heart シェルターになって この心を慰めて
it's yearning for you and only you きみを きみだけを思ってるんだ
and this life I am ready to share この人生を 分かち合うのを待っている
through all my tears shed please be there 流れる涙すべてを越えて おねがい ここにいて
patiently you waited じっと長いこときみは
for the perfect moment to come steal my heart ぼくの心を奪いに来る最高の瞬間を待ってたんだね
like sun warms the spring air, your words, your touch ちょうど太陽が春の大気を暖めるように きみの言葉が、きみの指が
you fill me to the core きみがぼくを芯まで満たす
you are everything I have always been waiting for きみはぼくがずっと待っていたもののすべて
and someone who will stand with me ぼくの味方になってくれるだれか
never leave me with doubt ぼくを悩ませないだれか
shelter me, comfort me シェルターになって 慰めて
all my scars have shown and I am here 傷はみんなさらけ出して ぼくはここにいる
ready to love 愛することを待ちながら
shelter me comfort my heart シェルターになって この心を慰めて
it's yearning for you and only you きみを きみだけを思ってるんだ
and this life I am ready to share この人生を 分かち合うのを待っている
through all my tears shed please be there 流れる涙すべてを越えて おねがい ここにいて
I'm still healing ぼくの傷はまだ癒えてなくて
people telling me it's not the way to live そういう生き方はダメだよって言われるけれど
but we're not so different ぼくらそんなに違ってるわけじゃない
breaking down to the same sad love songs 同じ悲しいラブソングに泣いたりするし
they tell me I'm not broken ぼくはまだだいじょうぶだって言われる
I'm not broken まだだいじょうぶ
I'm here holding on to you だってここできみを掴んでいられるから
you are everything I have always been waiting for きみはぼくが待っていたもののすべて
and someone who'll tear down these walls この壁を壊してくれるだれか
so I'm asking you to だからお願い
shelter me, comfort me シェルターになって 慰めて
all my scars have shown and I am here 傷はみんなさらけ出して ぼくはここにいる
ready to love 愛することを待ちながら
shelter me comfort my heart シェルターになって この心を慰めて
it's yearning for you and only you きみを きみだけを思ってるんだ
and this life I am ready to share この人生を 分かち合うのを待っている
through all my tears shed please be there 流れる涙すべてを越えて おねがい ここにいて
I'll shelter you comfort you きみのシェルターになる きみを慰める
all your scars have shown and you are here きみの傷もみんな見たし きみはここにいる
and I'm ready to love きみを愛する準備はできてるんだ
I'll shelter you comfort your heart きみのシェルターになる きみを慰める
it's yearning for me and only me ぼくを ぼくだけを思ってくれてる
and our lives we are ready to share ぼくらの人生を 分かち合う準備はできている
through all our tears shed we'll still be there... すべての流れる涙を越えて ぼくらはずっとここにいる
すべてはこの厄介な日本語という言語環境に起因する。この厄介さの何が困るかといって、まず第一は多くの学者たちが勉強をしないということである。かつて六、七年ほど以前、サイデンス・テッカーだったかドナルド・キーンだったかが日本文学研究の成果でなにかの賞を受けたとき、ある日本文学の長老が「外国人による日本文学研究は、いかによくできたものでもいつもなにか学生が一生懸命よくやりましたというような印象を与える」というようなことをあるコラムで書いた。これもいわば内輪話に属するものをなんの検証（考え）もなく漏らしてしまったという類のものだが、このうっかりの吐露は一面の真実を有している。『スイミングプール・ライブラリー』（アラン・ホリングハースト著、早川書房）の翻訳と、現在訳出を終えたポール・モネットの自伝『Becoming a Man（ビカミング・ア・マン--男になるということ）』（時空出版刊行予定）の夥しい訳註を行う作業を経てわたしが感じたことは、まさにこの文壇長老の意味不明の優越感と表面的にはまったく同じものであった。すなわち、「日本人による外国文学研究は、いかによくできたものであっても、肝心のことがわかっていない小賢しい中学生のリポートのような印象を与える」というものだったのである。フィクション／ノンフィクションの違いはあれ、前二者にはいずれも歴史上実在するさまざまな欧米の作家・詩人・音楽家などが登場する。訳註を作るに当たって日本のさまざまな百科事典・文学事典を参照したのだが、これがさっぱり役に立たなかった。歴史のある側面がそっくり欠落しているのだ。
で、６月20日に放送されたその最終回の講義テーマが「同性結婚」でした。実は６月は米国では「プライド・マンス Pride Month」といって同性愛者など性的少数者たちの人権月間。もちろんこれは有名なストーンウォール暴動を記念しての設定で、オバマ大統領もそれに見合った声明を発表するので、NHKはそれを知って６月にこの最終回を持ってきた……わけではないでしょうね。
毎年10月11日は米国では「全米カミングアウトの日 National Coming-Out Day（全米カミングアウトの日）」とされています。もっとも、これはべつに政府が定めた記念日ではありません。アメリカのゲイ・コミュニティが、まだ自分をゲイだと言えない老若男女に「カム・アウトする（自分が同性愛者だと公言する）」ことを勧めようと定めた日です。今はゲイだけでなくLGBT（レズビアン、ゲイ、バイセクシュアル、トランスジェンダー）と総称される性的少数者全体のカムアウトを奨励する日として、この運動はカナダや欧州にも広がっています。
その制定21年目に当たる今年の10月11日（日）、快晴のワシントンDCで数万人の性的少数者とその支援者を集めて「The National Equality March（平等を求める全米政治行進）」が行われました。日本ではほとんど報じられませんが、性的少数者たちの人権問題は米国では最大の国内的政治課題の１つです。
ところで National Equality March のこの「平等」とは、現在最大の議論の的である「結婚権の平等」をめぐってスローガン化しました。同性愛者たちも同じ税金を払っている米国民なのだから、同性婚も異性婚と同じく、平等に認められて然るべきだという議論です。そこから、これまで取り残してきた「雇用条件の平等」や「従軍権の平等」も含めて、LGBTの人権を異性愛者たちと等しく認めよという大マーチが企画されたわけです。
South African runner Caster Semenya, who is at the center of a gender row, has been placed on suicide watch amid fears for her mental stability.
The Daily Star quoted officials as saying that psychologists are caring the 18-year-old round-the- clock after it was claimed tests had proved she was a hermaphrodite.
Leaked details of the probe by the International Association of Athletics Federations showed the 800m starlet had male and female sex organs - but no womb.
Lawmaker Butana Komphela, chair of South Africa's sports committee, was quoted as saying: "She is like a raped person. She is afraid of herself and does not want anyone near her. If she commits suicide, it will be on all our heads. The best we can do is protect her and look out for her during this trying time."
South African athletics officials confirmed Semenya is now receiving trauma counselling at the University of Pretoria.
Caster has not competed since the World Athletics Championships last month when the IAAF ordered gender tests on her amid claims she might be male.
Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.
LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country's response to the HIV pandemic.
Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration -- in both the White House and the Federal agencies -- openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.
The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.
My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.
These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
BARACK OBAMA
＊＊
次は国務長官声明。
"Forty years ago this month, the gay rights movement began with the Stonewall riots in New York City, as gays and lesbians demanded an end to the persecution they had long endured. Now, after decades of hard work, the fight has grown into a global movement to achieve a world in which all people live free from violence and fear, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
"In honor of Gay and Lesbian Pride Month and on behalf of the State Department, I extend our appreciation to the global LGBT community for its courage and determination during the past 40 years, and I offer our support for the significant work that still lies ahead.
"At the State Department and throughout the Administration, we are grateful for our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees in Washington and around the world. They and their families make many sacrifices to serve our nation. Their contributions are vital to our efforts to establish stability, prosperity and peace worldwide.
"Human rights are at the heart of those efforts. Gays and lesbians in many parts of the world live under constant threat of arrest, violence, even torture. The persecution of gays and lesbians is a violation of human rights and an affront to human decency, and it must end. As Secretary of State, I will advance a comprehensive human rights agenda that includes the elimination of violence and discrimination against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
"Though the road to full equality for LGBT Americans is long, the example set by those fighting for equal rights in the United States gives hope to men and women around the world who yearn for a better future for themselves and their loved ones.
"This June, let us recommit ourselves to achieving a world in which all people can live in safety and freedom, no matter who they are or whom they love."
It will be interesting to see what, if any, statement Obama releases this month considering that most of his campaign promises to LGBT citizens remain unfulfilled.
"In consideration of our entire customer base, we exclude 'adult' material from appearing in some searches and best seller lists. Since these lists are generated using sales ranks, adult materials must also be excluded from that feature.
われわれの全体の顧客基盤を検討した結果、「アダルト」な物品は一部の検索やベストセラーリストから除外しています。これらのリストはセールスランク（販売数順位）を基に作られているため、アダルトな物品もまたその扱いから外されることになります。
"Hence, if you have further questions, kindly write back to us.
そういうわけで、まだご質問がある場合は恐れ入りますがまたメールをどうぞ。
"Best regards, Ashlyn D Member Services Amazon.com Advantage"
敬具、アマゾン・コム・アドヴァンテージ、メンバーサービス部 アシュリン・D
まあ、理由説明になっちゃいませんね。
というか、除外対象のアダルト分類というのもいい加減で、LAタイムズによれば
アネット・ベニング主演で映画にもなったオーガスティン・バロウズの「ハサミを持って突っ走る（Running with Scissors）」（アルコール中毒の父と夢想家でレズビアンの母が離婚、精神科医の家で暮らすことになった少年オーガスティンの奇妙な日々を描く青春回顧録）
リタ・メイ・ブラウンの現代レズビアン小説の嚆矢「ルビーフルーツ・ジャングル（Rubyfruit Jungle）」
ヴィクトリア朝のレズビアンを描いたラドクリフ・ヒルの古典的名作「孤独の泉（The Well of Loneliness）」
ミシェル・フーコーの「性の歴史、第１巻（The History of Sexuality, Vol. 1）」
E.M.フォスターの「モーリス」（2005 W.W. Norton版）
アナイス・ニンの「小鳥たち」
ジャン・ドミニク・ボービーの「潜水服は蝶の夢を見る（The Diving Bell and the Butterfly）」（1997 Knopf版）
ゲイの自伝として初めて全米図書賞を受賞（1992年）したポール・モネットの「Becoming A Man（男になるということ）」
ホモフォビアの社会的研究書である「The Dictionary of Homophobia: A Global History of Gay & Lesbian Experience（ホモフォビアの辞書；世界のゲイ＆レズビアンの体験の歴史）」
等々……
ところが外れてないのは
デビッド・セダリスの「すっぱだか（Naked）」
ヘンリー・ミラーの「北回帰線（Tropic of Cancer）」
ブレット・イーストン・エリスの「アメリカン・サイコ」
ウィリアム・バローズの「裸のランチ（Naked Lunch）」
アナイス・ニンの「愛の日記：近親相姦（Incest: From 'A Journal of Love）」
ミシェル・フーコーの「性の歴史、第２巻〜第３巻」
E.M.フォスターの「モーリス」（2005 Penguin Classics版）
ジャン・ドミニク・ボービーの「潜水服は蝶の夢を見る（The Diving Bell and the Butterfly）」（2007 Vintage International版）
等々……
Finally tonight as promised, a Special Comment on the passage, last week, of Proposition Eight in California, which rescinded the right of same-sex couples to marry, and tilted the balance on this issue, from coast to coast.
Some parameters, as preface. This isn't about yelling, and this isn't about politics, and this isn't really just about Prop-8. And I don't have a personal investment in this: I'm not gay, I had to strain to think of one member of even my very extended family who is, I have no personal stories of close friends or colleagues fighting the prejudice that still pervades their lives.
And yet to me this vote is horrible. Horrible. Because this isn't about yelling, and this isn't about politics. This is about the human heart, and if that sounds corny, so be it.
If you voted for this Proposition or support those who did or the sentiment they expressed, I have some questions, because, truly, I do not understand. Why does this matter to you? What is it to you? In a time of impermanence and fly-by-night relationships, these people over here want the same chance at permanence and happiness that is your option. They don't want to deny you yours. They don't want to take anything away from you. They want what you want—a chance to be a little less alone in the world.
Only now you are saying to them—no. You can't have it on these terms. Maybe something similar. If they behave. If they don't cause too much trouble. You'll even give them all the same legal rights—even as you're taking away the legal right, which they already had. A world around them, still anchored in love and marriage, and you are saying, no, you can't marry. What if somebody passed a law that said you couldn't marry?
I keep hearing this term "re-defining" marriage. If this country hadn't re-defined marriage, black people still couldn't marry white people. Sixteen states had laws on the books which made that illegal in 1967. 1967.
The parents of the President-Elect of the United States couldn't have married in nearly one third of the states of the country their son grew up to lead. But it's worse than that. If this country had not "re-defined" marriage, some black people still couldn't marry black people. It is one of the most overlooked and cruelest parts of our sad story of slavery. Marriages were not legally recognized, if the people were slaves. Since slaves were property, they could not legally be husband and wife, or mother and child. Their marriage vows were different: not "Until Death, Do You Part," but "Until Death or Distance, Do You Part." Marriages among slaves were not legally recognized.
You know, just like marriages today in California are not legally recognized, if the people are gay.
そう、ちょうど、カリフォルニアの結婚が今日、もしゲイならば、法的に認められなくなったのと同じです。
And uncountable in our history are the number of men and women, forced by society into marrying the opposite sex, in sham marriages, or marriages of convenience, or just marriages of not knowing, centuries of men and women who have lived their lives in shame and unhappiness, and who have, through a lie to themselves or others, broken countless other lives, of spouses and children, all because we said a man couldn't marry another man, or a woman couldn't marry another woman. The sanctity of marriage.
What is this, to you? Nobody is asking you to embrace their expression of love. But don't you, as human beings, have to embrace... that love? The world is barren enough.
It is stacked against love, and against hope, and against those very few and precious emotions that enable us to go forward. Your marriage only stands a 50-50 chance of lasting, no matter how much you feel and how hard you work.
And here are people overjoyed at the prospect of just that chance, and that work, just for the hope of having that feeling. With so much hate in the world, with so much meaningless division, and people pitted against people for no good reason, this is what your religion tells you to do? With your experience of life and this world and all its sadnesses, this is what your conscience tells you to do?
With your knowledge that life, with endless vigor, seems to tilt the playing field on which we all live, in favor of unhappiness and hate... this is what your heart tells you to do? You want to sanctify marriage? You want to honor your God and the universal love you believe he represents? Then Spread happiness—this tiny, symbolic, semantical grain of happiness—share it with all those who seek it. Quote me anything from your religious leader or book of choice telling you to stand against this. And then tell me how you can believe both that statement and another statement, another one which reads only "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
You are asked now, by your country, and perhaps by your creator, to stand on one side or another. You are asked now to stand, not on a question of politics, not on a question of religion, not on a question of gay or straight. You are asked now to stand, on a question of love. All you need do is stand, and let the tiny ember of love meet its own fate.
You don't have to help it, you don't have it applaud it, you don't have to fight for it. Just don't put it out. Just don't extinguish it. Because while it may at first look like that love is between two people you don't know and you don't understand and maybe you don't even want to know. It is, in fact, the ember of your love, for your fellow person just because this is the only world we have. And the other guy counts, too.
This is the second time in ten days I find myself concluding by turning to, of all things, the closing plea for mercy by Clarence Darrow in a murder trial.
But what he said, fits what is really at the heart of this:
しかし彼の言ったことは、この問題の核心にじつにふさわしい。
"I was reading last night of the aspiration of the old Persian poet, Omar-Khayyam," he told the judge. It appealed to me as the highest that I can vision. I wish it was in my heart, and I wish it was in the hearts of all: So I be written in the Book of Love; I do not care about that Book above. Erase my name, or write it as you will, So I be written in the Book of Love."
彼は裁判官に向かってこう言っています。「わたしは昨晩、昔のペルシャの詩人オマル・ハイヤームの強い願いについて読んでいました」と。「それはわたしの想像しうる至高の希求としてわたしに訴えかけてきました。それがわたしの心の中にあったなら、そしてそれがすべての人々の心の中にもあったならと願わざるを得ません。彼はこう書いています；故に、我が名は愛の書物（the Book of Love）の中に刻みたまえ。あの天上の記録（Book above）のことは関知せず。我が名が消されようが、好きに書かれようが、ただしこの愛の書物の中にこそは、我が名を記したまえ」
この州民投票（同性婚禁止提案）に反対運動を繰り広げていた「No on Prop 8」からカリフォルニアの友人に届いた手紙を紹介します。

Dear Colin,
親愛なるコリンへ
We had hoped never to have to write this email.
このメールを書くなんてことがなければよいと願っていました。
Sadly, fueled by misinformation, distortions and lies, millions of voters went to the polls yesterday and said YES to bigotry, YES to discrimination, YES to second-class status for same-sex couples.
悲しいことに、偽情報と歪曲と嘘によって、数百万人の投票者が昨日、投票所に行ってこの偏見に「YES」を投じました。差別に「YES」と、同性カップルを第二級市民にすることに「YES」と投じたのです。
And while the election was close, and millions of votes still remain uncounted, it has become apparent that we lost.
開票の結果は接戦でいまだ数百万の投票が数えられていなかったながらも、だんだんと私たちの敗北は明らかになってきました。
There is no question this defeat is hard.
この敗北がつらいものであることに疑いはありません。
Thousands of people have poured their talents, their time, their resources and their hearts into this struggle for freedom and this fight to have their relationships treated equally. Much has been sacrificed in this struggle.
数千もの人々が自由のためのこの苦闘に、自分たちの関係が平等に扱われるためのこの戦いに、その才能と持てる時間と持てる資金とその心とを注ぎ込んでくれました。
While we knew the odds for success were not with us, we believed Californians could be the first in the nation to defeat the injustice of discriminatory measures like Proposition 8.
たとえいま勝算は私たちにないと知ってはいても、私たちは、カリフォルニア州民がこの国で最初にプロポジション８のような差別的な措置の不正を打ち砕くはずだと信じています。
And while victory is not ours this day, we know that because of the work done here, freedom, fairness and equality will be ours someday. Just look at how far we have come in a few decades.
たとえ今日勝利は私たちのものではないにしても、私たちは、ここでなされた私たちの努力のゆえに、自由と公正と平等がいつか私たちのものになるだろうと知っています。この数十年で私たちがどこまで来たか、それを見るだけで。
Up until 1974 same-sex intimacy was a crime in California. There wasn't a single law recognizing the relationships of same-sex couples until 1984 -- passed by the Berkeley School District. San Francisco did not pass domestic-partner protections until 1990; the state of California followed in 2005. And in 2000, Proposition 22 passed with a 23% majority.
1974年まで、同性間で親愛の情を示すことはカリフォルニアでは犯罪でした。同性間カップルの関係を認知した法律は1984年まで、バークリー学校区で可決されるまで、ただの１つもありませんでした。サンフランシスコがドメスティックパートナーの保護規定を可決したのは1990年のことでした。カリフォルニア州がそれに続いたのは2005年のことです。それに2000年には、プロポジション22は23％ポイントの差をつけて可決されていました【訳注：今回のプロップ８と同様に同性婚禁止を謳った州民投票提案。当時は61.5％対38.5％で可決】。
Today, we fought to retain our right to marry and millions of Californians stood with us. Over the course of this campaign everyday Californians and their friends, neighbors and families built a civil rights campaign unequalled in California history.
今日、私たちは私たちの結婚の権利を保持するために戦い、その私たちに数百万のカリフォルニア州民が加勢してくれました。毎日このキャンペーンを続ける中、カリフォルニア州民とその友人たち隣人たちそしてその家族たちは、カリフォルニア史上比類のない公民権運動を形作っていきました。
You raised more money than anyone believed possible for an LGBT civil rights campaign.
あなたたちはLGBTの公民権運動でだれひとり可能だとは思わなかったような多額の資金を集めてくれたました。
You reached out to family and friends in record numbers -- helping hundreds of thousands of Californians understand what the LGBT civil rights struggle is really about.
あなたたちはこれまでにない数の家族や友人たちにリーチアウトしてくれました──そのことで数十万人ものカリフォルニア州民がLGBTの人権というものがほんとうはどういうものか、それを理解する助けにできたのです。
You built the largest grassroots and volunteer network that has ever been built -- a coalition that will continue to fight until all people are equal.
あなたたちはこれまでで最大の草の根ボランティアのネットワークを作り上げてくれました──それは、すべての人間が平等になるまで戦い続ける共同体です。
And you made the case to the people of California and to the rest of the world that discrimination -- in any form -- is unfair and wrong.
そしてあなたたちが、カリフォルニアの人たちに、そして世界中の人たちに、差別はいかなる形でも不正で間違いだと教えてくれたのです。
We are humbled by the courage, dignity and commitment displayed by all who fought this historic battle.
この歴史的な戦いを戦ってくれたすべての人々の勇気と誇りと献身とに身が引き締まる思いです。
Victory was not ours today. But the struggle for equality is not over.
勝利は今日は私たちのものではありませんでした。しかし平等のための戦いは終わっていません。
Because of the struggle fought here in California -- fought so incredibly well by the people in this state who love freedom and justice -- our fight for full civil rights will continue.
ここカリフォルニアで戦われたこの苦労ゆえに、自由と正義を愛するこの州の人々によって信じられないほど果敢に戦われたこの苦闘ゆえに、完全な人権を求める私たちの戦いは続くのです。
Activist and writer Anne Lamott writes, "Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don't give up."
活動家で作家のアン・ラモットが次の一節を書いています。「希望は闇の中で始まる。ただ姿を見せて正しいことをしようとすれば、それだけで夜明けは来る、と思う揺るぎない希望。だから待って、見て、頑張って。諦めてはいけない」
We stand together, knowing... our dawn will come.
私たちはともにいます。私たちの夜明けはやってくると知っています。
Dr. Delores A. Jacobs
CEO
Center Advocacy Project
Lorri L. Jean
CEO
L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
Kate Kendell
Executive Director
National Center for Lesbian Rights
Geoff Kors
Executive Director
Equality California
＊＊
わたしからも引用を１つ。
これは、あの『Queer as Folk』でデビーが言っていたことです。
Mourn Loss's Because There's Many
...Celebrate Victory Because There's Few.
この物語の基になってるのはじつは実話なんですね。あのころ、ニューヨークではセントラルパークの動物園やコニーアイランドの水族館でオス同士のペンギンカップルが大きなニュースになりました。まあ、自然界には、とくに鳥類には同性同士のカップルがよく見られているんですが（同性愛は反自然というテーゼはすでに科学的には破綻してるんです）、そのセントラルパークのペンギンカップル、ロイとシロが、卵によく似た石を何日も温めるので、見かねた飼育係が別に産み落とされて親ペンギンに捨てられてしまった卵を彼らの巣に入れたところ、ひな娘のタンゴが生まれたんです。「and Tango makes three」はつまり、It takes two to tango （タンゴを踊るには２人が必要）というフレーズがあるんだけど、そのタンゴを踊ったら３人になっちゃった、っていう意味なんですよね。ちょっといい話。
「Two years ago, I believed that civil unions were a fair alternative. Those beliefs, in my case, have since changed. The concept of a 'separate but equal' institution is not something that I can support.」
（２年前、私はシビルユニオンなら公正な別オプションだと信じていた。そうした信念はしかし私の場合、変わった。「別物の、しかし平等ではある」制度という考えは、私が支持できるものではない）
「I just could not bring myself to tell an entire group of our community they were less important, less worthy or less deserving of the rights and responsibilities of marriage than anyone else, simply because of their sexual orientation...I want for them the same thing that we all want for our loved ones. For each of them to find a mate, whom they love deeply and who loves them back. Someone who they can grow old together and share life's experiences.」
（我々のこのコミュニティのグループ全体に、彼らの重要性、彼らの価値、彼らの権利適性、彼らの結婚への責任感が、ただその性的指向を理由に、他の誰彼と比べて劣るものだとは、私にはどうしても言えなかった……私は、私たちのすべてが私たちの愛する者のために欲するのと同じものを彼らが得られるように求める。それは彼らが、深く愛し、同じように愛を返してくれる伴侶を見つけられるということだ。彼らがともに年を重ね、ともに人生の経験を重ねられるようなだれかを得られるということだ）
"Mary and Jen, the answer to your question is yes. And let me tell you why. Because if our Constitution really means what it says, that all are created equal, if it really means what it says, that there should be equality of opportunity before the law, then our brothers and sisters who happen to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered should have the same rights accorded to them as anyone else, and that includes the ability to have a civil marriage ceremony. Yes, I support you. And welcome to a better and a new America under a President Kucinich administration."
"I think Reverend Longcrier asks a very important question, which is whether fundamentally -- whether it's right for any of our faith beliefs to be imposed on the American people when we're president of the United States. I do not believe that's right. I feel enormous personal conflict about this issue. I want to end discrimination. I want to do some of the things that I just heard Bill Richardson talking about -- standing up for equal rights, substantive rights, civil unions, the thing that Chris Dodd just talked about. But I think that's something everybody on this stage will commit themselves to as president of the United States. But I personally have been on a journey on this issue. I feel enormous conflict about it. As I think a lot of people know, Elizabeth spoke -- my wife Elizabeth spoke out a few weeks ago, and she actually supports gay marriage. I do not. But this is a very, very difficult issue for me. And I recognize and have enormous respect for people who have a different view of it."
もう先週になりましたが、４月18日はアメリカで「11th Annual National Day of Silence」でした。デイ・オヴ・サイレンス（沈黙の日）というのは、なにも話さない日。全米の大学や高校で、自分がゲイだと、トランスだと、言えないホモフォビックな状況に抗議するため、それに共感する学生たちが性的少数者であろうとなかろうとみんな、学校でひと言も話をしない、というパフォーマンスを続ける、というものです。参加者はDay Of Silence のワッペンをしたり、次のようなカードを無言で手渡して話しかける相手に理解を求めていました。
このことを「We Have a 'Gayborhood'」（neighborhood＝おなじみの地区、とのシャレです）と報じた地元紙「the Philadelphia Daily News」の引用によると、LGコミュニティの観光市場はなんと540億ドル（65兆円）規模なんだって。これ、世界のかしら？ まさか米国内ってことはないよね。だって日本の国家予算（80兆円）にも迫る額だもなあ。
その膝を打ったことはあとで述べますので、まずは次のクリップを見てくださいな。
これは「２人の父親 Twee Vaders」ってタイトルの歌です。
どうもオランダのテレビ番組らしく、毎回、このKinderen voor Kinderen（子供たちのための子供たち？）という子供たちのグループが、いろんなメッセージソングを作って歌う番組らしい。
さて、この歌詞の３番に、学校でおそらく浜田のようなガキどもから「あいつらホモだろ」といじられた主人公の少年が、「It's not ordinary」と述懐する部分があります。「But for me, it's quite ok」（でもぼくにとっちゃそんなのぜんぜんオッケーさ）と。
このオーディナリー、「それって普通じゃないけれど」と訳すとうまく伝えきれないものがあります。「普通」という言葉だと、多数決に基づく「正常さ、標準さ、規範的さ＝ノーマル」という意味にもとられてしまうので。
で、ここはordinaryですので、日本語では「よくあること」と訳したほうがニュアンスが近い。
で、「はたと膝を打った」のは何かというと、父親が２人いることは「It's not ordinary」と歌うのを聞いてて、ああ、これ、使えるかも、と、さきほどの「ノーマル」に対比して思ったということなのです。
その模様が、YouTubeにアップされています。
しかしアメリカ人はこういう行動がうまいよね。
「Fire Pace, Hire Gays!（ペイスをクビにして、ゲイたちを軍に雇え）」なんてシュプレヒコール、ちゃんと韻を踏んでるんだもの。「Pace is immoral, Gays are fabulous」ってのも、不道徳はペースの方、ゲイはファビュラスなの！って意味ね。インピーチ・ブッシュというのもあります。これはブッシュを弾劾しろ、という意味。
"Well I've heard from a number of my friends and I've certainly clarified with them any misunderstanding that anyone had, because I disagree with General Pace completely. I do not think homosexuality is immoral. But the point I was trying to make is that this policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell is not working. I have been against it for many years because I think it does a grave injustice to patriotic Americans who want to serve their country. And so I have called for its repeal and I'd like to follow the lead of our allies like, Great Britain and Israel and let people who wish to serve their country be able to join and do so. And then let the uniform code of military justice determine if conduct is inappropriate or unbecoming. That's fine. That's what we do with everybody. But let's not be eliminating people because of who they are or who they love."
"I believe homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts. I do not believe the United States is well served by a policy that says it is OK to be immoral in any way. As an individual, I would not want [acceptance of gay behavior] to be our policy, just like I would not want it to be our policy that if we were to find out that so-and-so was sleeping with somebody else's wife, that we would just look the other way, which we do not. We prosecute that kind of immoral behavior."
「私は、２個人間の同性愛行為は不道徳なものだと信じている。そうした不道徳な行為をわれわれは容認すべきではない。いかなる形でも、不道徳であってもよろしいのだというようなポリシーでこの国がうまく行くとは私は信じていない。一個人として、（ゲイ的行動の受容を）私たちのポリシーにしたいとは思わない。それはちょうど、だれそれがだれか他の人の奥さんと寝ているとわかりそうなときに、目を逸らしてわざと見ないようにするような、そういうことはしないし、そういうのをわれわれのポリシーにしたくないのと同じことだ。そういった種類の不道徳な行動は訴追するものだ」
"In World War II, a British mathematician named Alan Turing led the effort to crack the Nazis' communication code. He mastered the complex German enciphering machine, helping to save the world, and his work laid the basis for modern computer science. Does it matter that Turing was gay? This week, Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, said that homosexuality is "immoral" and that the ban on open service should therefore not be changed. Would Pace call Turing "immoral"?
Since 1993, I have had the rich satisfaction of knowing and working with many openly gay and lesbian Americans, and I have come to realize that "gay" is an artificial category when it comes to measuring a man or woman's on-the-job performance or commitment to shared goals. It says little about the person. Our differences and prejudices pale next to our historic challenge."
（トミーの歌：）「LOOK WHAT YOU DONE. YOU MADE ME WHOLE. BEFORE I MET YOU, I WAS THE SONG. BUT NOW I'M THE VIDEO.（きみがしてくれたこと。ぼくを完全にしてくれた。きみ会う前、ぼくは歌でしかなかった。それがいまはビデオだ」
（ヘドウィッグの歌：）「LOOK WHAT I'VE DONE. I MADE YOU WHOLE. YOU KNOW THAT TOU WERE JUST A HAM. THEN CAME ME, THE DOLE PINEAPPLE RINGS...（あたしがやってあげたこと。あなたを完全にしてやった。ただのハムだったあなたのもとに、あたしが来たの、ドールのパイン缶の穴開きパインが）」
キューバンの上記のコメントはthe Fort Warth Star Telegramという新聞に載っていたものですけど、ま、そのまま受け取るにはちょっと理想的すぎますけどね。でもしかし、おそらく彼はそう言わねばならない、そう言うことでそういう理想に近づくべきだ、という思惑をしっかり意識して発言しているのだと思います。まあ、エール半分だな。いいやつだ。
ではほんとうのところは、ってんで次のコメントを。
ユタ・ジャズのコーチ、ジェリー・スローン（反ゲイの侮蔑語でアミーチを呼んだことがある輩らしいです）
「（侮蔑語で呼んだことは）ああ、そりゃきっと問題あったかもな。はっきりとは知らんが、だいたいおれはいつも人の心がわかるんだ、言葉じゃなくて。人間ってのはやりたいことをやるんだ。べつにそれが悪いとは思わんよ」（訳者注；英語でも言ってることがよくわからないのです＝Oh yeah, it would have probably mattered. I don't know exactly, but I always have peoples' feelings at heart. People do what they want to do. I don't have a problem with that.）
＊＊
Q We're out of time, but a couple of issues I want to raise with you. Your daughter Mary, she's pregnant. All of us are happy. She's going to have a baby. You're going to have another grandchild. Some of the -- some critics, though, are suggesting, for example, a statement from someone representing Focus on the Family:
"Mary Cheney's pregnancy raises the question of what's best for children. Just because it's possible to conceive a child outside of the relationship of a married mother and father, doesn't mean it's best for the child."
（Q；もう時間がないんですが、もう１つ２つお訊きしたい。あなたの娘さん、メアリーのことです。妊娠なさった。とてもうれしいことです。赤ん坊が生まれるんですからね。あなたにまたお孫さんができるわけです。ただ、批判する人も、まあ、何人かいて、例えばですね「家族の価値」を標榜する代表者なんかからは「メアリー・チェイニーの妊娠は子供たちにとって何が最良なのかという問いを提起している」と声明を出したりしています。つまり結婚している母親と父親の関係の外で子供が生まれてもいいと思われたりして、それは子供にとってベストなことではない、と）
Do you want to respond to that?
（そういう発言について何か言いたいですか？）
THE VICE PRESIDENT: No, I don't.
（副大統領；いや、言うことはない）
Q She's obviously a good daughter --
（もちろんとても素晴らしい娘さんで……）
THE VICE PRESIDENT: I'm delighted -- I'm delighted I'm about to have a sixth grandchild, Wolf, and obviously think the world of both of my daughters and all of my grandchildren. And I think, frankly, you're out of line with that question.
（遮るように＝筆者註）（うれしいことだ……６人目の孫が生まれようとしてるのだから、それはうれしいことだ、ウルフ、それにもちろん、娘２人の世界のことや私の孫たちみんなのことを考えるとね。で、思うに、率直に言えば、きみのその質問はルール違反だ）
Q I think all of us appreciate --
（たじたじになって）（いや、みんな評価すると思いますが、その……）
THE VICE PRESIDENT: I think you're out of -- I think you're out of line with that question.
（きみは論点から……その質問は、論点から逸れていて訊くべきことではないと思う）
Q -- your daughter. We like your daughters. Believe me, I'm very, very sympathetic to Liz and to Mary. I like them both. That was just a question that's come up and it's a responsible, fair question.
（しどろもどろ状態で）（あなたの娘さん、あなたの娘さんたちを気にかけているのです。私を知ってるでしょう、私はリズにもメアリーにも、とても、とても同情的だ。２人とも大好きです。これはただのふつうの質問ですよ。ふつうに頭に浮かんだ質問。それを責任をもって公正に質問しているのです。
THE VICE PRESIDENT: I just fundamentally disagree with your perspective.
（わたしは基本的に、そのきみの考え方には同意しない）
＊＊
以上。そんなけ。
すごいでしょ。はは。
この"out of line"というのは、「線を越えてる」「はみ出している」「出過ぎだ」「分（ぶ）をわきまえない」「常軌を逸している」「規則違反だ」っていう、かなりきつい意味の婉曲な言い回しですわな。つまりね、ほんとはチェイニー、「たわごとだ」「何を言ってるんだ、バカ」「言って良いことと悪いことがあるぞ」という脅しをしてるわけです。脅し。でも、本質は何かというと、このおやじ、逃げてるんだ。都合が悪くなるとこうして脅して逃げる。
テッド・ハガード（50）＝写真上＝という、全米3000万人もの信者を有する「福音派（Evangelical＝エヴァンゲリオンの語源ですね）」のトップが、まあ、キリスト教保守派の総本山とも言うべき「全米福音教会協会（the National Association of Evangelicals=NAE）」の会長さんなんですけど、日本でいえば創価学会の池田大作みたいなひとですかね、このひとが、なんと３年間にわたって男性エスコート（プロの男娼です）と性的関係を続けていたってことを、このエスコートがばらしちゃったのです。うわっ、なに、それ？ です。それだけでなくて、このハガードが覚せい剤（メタアンフェタミン）などの麻薬を使ってることも、「私のファンタジーは18歳から22歳くらいの大学生の男の子たち６人といっしょにセックスすることだ」なんて話してたこともばらしちゃった。おまけに「アート」と名乗ってこのエスコートに残していた伝言メッセージ（ボイスメール）も公開されました。麻薬を100ドルとか200ドル分、いますぐ手配できないかって言う話です。
英語版のウィキペディアでも以下の通りです。
「Luxuria identifies using the English word "transgender" and prefers feminine pronouns, titles, and adjectives.」
（http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Luxuria）
「英語でのトランスジェンダーという言葉を使って自分をアイデンティファイしている」、つまり、自分はトランスジェンダーだと言っているわけです。
NYタイムズの劇評（10/14付け）は「Obviously, “Hell House” is a bring-your-own-irony sort of affair.（言うまでもなく、「ヘルハウス」は自らこの劇の皮肉を気づくためのもの）」と結んでいます。まあふつうそうでしょう。これで信仰に帰依しちゃうようなナイーヴなひとはとてもニューヨークでは生きていけないもの。ちなみにこの劇団、例のトム・クルーズの没頭する変形キリスト教集団「サイエントロジー」をおちょくった「A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant」なんて劇をやってたりするようなところですし。
ってわけで、次にコピペするのがこれに対するわたしの２信。でもいまその自分のを読み直して気づいたけど、「ゲイと自称」じゃなくてこの広報部の返事には「ゲイであることを公表」って書いてあるわい。つまりこれ、ひょっとして「カムアウト」の意味の誤解かな？ She came out ってののcome outを「ゲイであることを公表する」って辞書に書いてある意味のまま理解したのかしら？ トランスジェンダーとしてカムアウトしてるのかもしれないのに。だとしたら大ボケだ。
まさか「She has already come out」という英文テキストを「本人がゲイであることを公表している」と理解した誤解、誤読、誤訳ではないでしょうね？
もし上記のような文だったならば、「She came out as gay」と「She came out as transgender」との２つの可能性があるのです。
彼女は「ゲイ」（イタリア語で何というのか知りませんけれど）と「自称」しているのでしょうか？（もっとも、英語で「She came out as gay」といったら先のメールでも触れたとおりレズビアンのことになりますが）。
（ところで「hold your hand」の「hold」、日本語にならないって書いてて気づきました。握るのともちょっとちがう＝ちなみに握手の英語はshakehandsで、これは取った手を揺する行為を指した言葉。Hold は「つなぐ」でも「取る」でもない、「保持する」って感じね。大和言葉、なし、ってホントかよ）
Letter to the mayor of Miyakonojo Municipality about the removal of "sexual orientation" from the gender-equality ordinance
September 14, 2006
His Honor Nagamine Makoto
Mayor
Miyakonojo City
Miyazaki Prefecture
Japan
Dear Mayor:
On behalf of Human Rights Watch, I write in protest against the move to eliminate references to “sexual orientation” from Miyakonojo City’s “Ordinance for the formation of a gender-equal society.” Language affirming equality on the basis of sexual orientation has been part of that ordinance since 2003. Its proposed removal—by a process which has excluded the full input of citizens and civil society—would send a damaging message that your community is regressing from the promise of equality and its commitment to non-discrimination.
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On behalf of Human Rights Watch, I write in protest against the move to eliminate references to “sexual orientation” from Miyakonojo City’s “Ordinance for the formation of a gender-equal society.” Language affirming equality on the basis of sexual orientation has been part of that ordinance since 2003. Its proposed removal—by a process which has excluded the full input of citizens and civil society—would send a damaging message that your community is regressing from the promise of equality and its commitment to non-discrimination.
As you are aware, the Basic Law for a Gender-Equal Society (Law 78/1999), passed by Japan’s Diet in 1999, committed Japan to “respect for the human rights of women and men, including: respect for the dignity of men and women as individuals; no gender-based discriminatory treatment of women or men; and the securing of opportunities for men and women to exercise their abilities as individuals” (article 3). While the law did not propose penalties for discrimination, it was an important affirmation of government’s positive responsibility to promote equality at all levels. The same law made local governments responsible for “formulation and implementation of policies related to promoting formation of a gender-equal society corresponding to national measures (article 9). In response, Miyakonojo City in 2003 passed a human rights ordinance that affirmed the equality of people regardless of sexual orientation as well as gender. It was one of the first local governments in Japan to include sexual orientation in its commitment to promote equality. The final text of the ordinance was achieved through a process including open hearings at which citizens as well as local lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) groups spoke.
However, Miyakonojo City was consolidated with three other towns in January 2006, and officials agreed that ordinances enacted before this would undergo review. Human Rights Watch is concerned by reports that an open hearing was not held as the “Ordinance for the formation of a gender-equal society” was revised. LGBT groups and individuals and their supporters were denied the full opportunity to express their case. While municipal authorities insist that the proposal rises from discussions of a committee of experts, that discussion has not been made public.
Article 2.1 of the previous ordinance stated, “In the gender-equal society, for all people irrespective of gender and sexual orientation, human rights should be fully respected.” Article 2.6 defined “sexual orientation” as “a concept describing the direction of an individual’s sexuality, which can be directed to someone of the different or same gender, or to someone irrespective of their gender.”
In the ordinance now proposed, Article 2.1 now reads, “In the gender-equal society, for all people, their human rights should be equally respected.” Article 2.6 has been completely deleted.
The rationale for these proposed changes is explained, on the city’s website, as “to simplify the contents.” A simplification of an ordinance on gender equality which removes the term “gender” as well as “sexual orientation” is not a streamlining but a drastic weakening of the contents.
The Miyazaki Prefecture’s “Miyazaki Prefecture Development Policies of Human Rights Education,” introduced in 2005, includes a section on “Problems faced by gender minorities.” This section recognizes persisting discrimination and prejudice based on sexual orientation as well as gender, and urges active steps toward accepting sexual diversity. The new text of your city’s ordinance belies this aim. It also places your city at odds with the express finding of international human rights bodies that sexual orientation should be a status protected from discrimination. In 1994, the United Nations Human Rights Committee, which interprets and monitors compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), found that protections against discrimination in articles 2 and 26 of that treaty should be understood to include sexual orientation. Japan has been a party to the ICCPR since 1979.
The proposed revision of the gender-equality ordinance will be debated by the city assembly this week. I urge you to support retaining the existing language. Miyakonojo City’s resonant support of equality made it a model in Japan. Its example is too important for you to retract it now.
Sincerely,
Scott Long
Director
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Program
Human Rights Watch
The following text is an ACTION ALERT letter from Ken Takeuchi, a member of NY base organization GAPIMNY.
I want you all to pass it on.
*********
Hello friends and family,
I've translated the open letter from Otsuji Kanako, the first openly lesbian politician ever in Japan. My apologies for a hasty translation, but the urgency and importance of taking immediate action is very much apparent I hope.
We cannot let this ordinance pass. No matter how advanced country like Japan has become, its records in LGBT rights have been non-existent. Being an ex-pat Japanese activist in NY, I cannot sit idly while this ordinance may set precedence in Japanese legal history. IF it comes to pass, it will bring dire consequences in the future LGBT rights in Japan.
PLEASE RE-POST, AND RESEND TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS YOU ARE PART OF NOW!!!
I feel that email petitions in Japanese would be most effective, but send them in English anyway if there's not enough time or resources to translate. We only have a week left, I desperately implore you to join in this petition.
English (There don't have the translated page, but you can get a sense of the city here)
http://www.city.miyakonojo.miyazaki.jp/shisei/kokusaikouryu/english/titleenglish.jsp
My appreciation goes beyond description for your help in this matter. Please feel free to send me questions, and I will do as much as I can to follow up.
Best regards and with utmost respect,
Ken Takeuchi
Steering Committee member at large, Gay Asian & Pacific Islander Men of NY (GAPIMNY)
http://www.gapimny.org
Member, Japanese Speaking LesBiGays in NY (JSLNY)
http://jslny.web.fc2.com/index.html
###
!!!ACTION ALERT!!!
By Otsuji Kanako
Assembly Member of Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Party: Independent (first elected in 2003)
Member of "Rainbow and Greens (Japan)"
Book: Coming Out (2005, Kodansya, Japanese only)
The first openly homosexual politician in Japan
I am sending a letter of protest and petition to city counsel members of Miyakonojo City in Miyazaki Prefecture. Please join my petition by sending emails in protest.
Petition emails should be sent to: otsuji_office@osaka.nifty.jp
The deadline is September 12th (11th in the U.S.) - Please take action now, since the committee meeting begins on the 15th.
In addition, individuals should send a message to the city assembly. It is important to send in numbers.
For the mayor of Miyakonojo City, Nagamine Makoto
Tel: +81 986-23-2111, Fax +81 986-25-7973
info@city.miyakonojo.miyazaki.jp
For office of Miyakonojo city assembly
TEL +81 986-23-7869, Fax +81 986-25-7879
gikai@city.miyakonojo.miyazaki.jp
===========An open letter of protest and petition===========
For the members of Miyakonojo City assembly,
An open letter of protest and petition against the deletion of "gender and sexual orientation" from the proposed ordinance, "Miyakonojo City Equal Rights Measure in Creating Better Society"
I sincerely respect your diligence in all of your endeavors. Currently the city assembly's new ordinance, "Miyakonojo City Equal Rights Measure in Creating Better Society" is being presented. In this new proposal, the wording of (applying to) "all people including gender and sexual orientation" which was originally present prior to consolidation of Miyakonojo City, was deleted. And instead, revised to be simply, "all people". What was the reason for deleting "gender and sexual orientation" from the original proposal? While many people are being discriminated based on "gender and sexual orientation" in current Japanese society, such act of deletion ignores the reality of discrimination, and may be taken as an approval of such activities. I simply cannot sit by and watch it pass.
In addition, I have been informed that the names of council members who created the ordinance have not been released. Furthermore no hearing was held by the city's community groups or party involved. Without the lack of opinions from them, the ordinance does not reflect the needs of Miyakonojo community.
The policy introduced in January 2005, "Miyazaki Prefecture Human Rights Education-Policies for Basic Development" clearly states the following fact. In chapter 4, section 2 titled, "Promoting the Policies of Various Fields" includes the topic, "Problems faced by minorities of gender and sexual orientation". It recognizes the existence of prejudice and discrimination, and the importance of accepting sexual and gender diversity. The policy encourages the city residents to take initiatives to put more effort in this matter. The current ordinance on the table completely contradicts Miyazaki prefecture's policy.
Please reconsider this proposal one last time. I implore you to reinstate the wording, "gender and sexual orientation".
Otsuji Kanako
Petition organizer, Osaka Prefecture Assembly Member
あの激しい雷雨で山手線がスットップしていたこともあり、今年は参加者の激減が危惧されました。ですがあの雨の中、それでも昨年とほぼ同じ2292人が出発地点の代々木公園に集合し、予定の15分遅れで行進が開始となりました。雨は不思議と止んだのでした。沿道からの応援やイベント会場の参加者を合わせると私たちの数は計3800人にもなりました（デモ行進扱いのマーチは、東京では3000人を超える行進者は認められないようです）。東京ばかりではなく、みんなこの日のために全国から集まってくれた人たちです。ゲイとかレズビアンとか単純にカテゴライズされるけれど、中には学校の先生がおり、医師や看護師、ソーシャルワーカーなどのグループもいました。HIV/AIDSの支援団体の人もいれば、会社員も弁護士も会計士もコンピューター技術者もフリーターも学生も、それにメディアで働くゲイやレズビアンも参加してくれました。日本で初めて政治家としてレズビアンであることをカムアウトした尾辻かな子大阪府議会議員や、トランスセクシャルを公言する上川あや世田谷区議会議員も歩きました。社会民主党の保坂展人さんは国会議員として初めてこのマーチに参加してくれ、そのもようをご自身のブログでも公開してくれました（http://blog.goo.ne.jp/hosakanobuto/d/20060812）。事実上の同性婚を法的に保障している英国のロンドン市長ケン・リビングストン氏からは、このイベントは「日本のレズビアンやゲイの方々の貢献をたたえ、目下の課題である人権問題や法的平等を勝ち取るための戦いを知らしめる絶好の契機だ」（Tokyo Pride is a timely opportunity to celebrate the contribution of Japanese lesbian and gay people and to acknowledge their ongoing struggle for human rights and legal equality.）とのメッセージが寄せられました。その他にも多数の欧米の政治家、人権団体代表の方々からメッセージをもらいました。日本の政治家からは、上記御三方以外のものは、ありませんでした。
あの激しい雷雨で山手線がスットップしていたこともあり、今年は参加者の減少が予想されました。が、それでも昨年とほぼ同じ2292人が行進し、沿道からの応援やイベント会場の参加者を合わせるとその数は計3800人にもなりました。東京ばかりではなく、この日のために全国から集まってくれた人たちです。中には学校の先生がおり、医師や看護師、ソーシャルワーカーなどのグループもいました。HIV/AIDSの支援団体の人もいれば、会社員も弁護士も会計士もコンピューター技術者もフリーターも学生も、それにメディアで働くゲイやレズビアンも参加してくれました。日本で初めて政治家としてレズビアンであることをカムアウトした尾辻かな子大阪府議会議員や、トランスセクシャルを公言する上川あや世田谷区議会議員も歩きました。事実上の同性婚を法的に保障している英国のロンドン市長ケン・リビングストン氏からは、このイベントは「日本のレズビアンやゲイの方々の貢献をたたえ、目下の課題である人権問題や法的平等を勝ち取るための戦いを知らしめる絶好の契機だ」（Tokyo Pride is a timely opportunity to celebrate the contribution of Japanese lesbian and gay people and to acknowledge their ongoing struggle for human rights and legal equality.）とのメッセージが寄せられました。その他にも多数の欧米の政治家、人権団体代表の方々からメッセージをもらいました。尾辻、上川両氏以外の日本の政治家からは、ありませんでしたが。
サンディエゴの市長ジェリー・サンダーズは、すぐさま次のようなスピーチを行いました。
「こんな下劣な犯罪を行うような輩に、あるいはこんなふうに人間を襲撃しようと企てているような連中に、言うべき言葉はわずかだ。きみたちは卑怯者だ（You are cowards.）。犯人たちは３人をバットで殴りながらゲイに対する卑劣な罵倒語を浴びせかけていた。これはヘイトクライムの、まさに定義そのものの犯罪だ。あきらかに、このケモノたちは被害男性たちをまたクローゼットに押し戻したかったのだろう。わたしたちは、ぜったいに、そんなことをさせないし、許しもしない」
DT ケヴィンにはとにかくシンプルに演じるようにって言った。「マイ・プライヴェート・アイダホ」で、リヴァー・フィニックスがキアヌに「I really love you, man」って言うシーンがあるだろ？ あんなふうに、飾りのない、朴訥で裏のない正直な、まんまの感じで演じてくれっていったんだ。で、それがあのブリーに背を向けながら「It's like...I see you（見えるよ、本当のあんたが）」って言うシーンになった。
●アメリカより先に、ベルギーとフランスだったか、ヨーロッパの映画で「ma vie en rose（ぼくのバラ色の人生）」というキュートな映画があったよね。ヨーロッパの方がこなれているというか寛容というか、同性婚の制度も進んでいるしそういう点では柔軟だなあと思う。
DT 「ぼくのバラ色の人生」に比べて、「トランスアメリカ」はもっと現実的でシビアで暗くてぐったりする映画だっていうわけじゃないよ。これは究極的にはコメディだし、人生を祝福する映画だと思う。泣いたり、いろんな感情も高まったりするかもしれないけれど、コメディというのは人びとに一体感を与え、希望を与えるものだ。差別されるマイノリティを描いた映画には古くは黒人差別の「アラバマ物語（To Kill a Mockinbird）」があり、最近では「ボーイズ・ドント・クライ」があるよね。「ボーイズ」はすごい映画だけど、異端者やはみ出し者は殺されるべきだと誤解される話だ。でも、この「トランスアメリカ」はアメリカで初めてトランスセクシュアルを主人公として、「死ぬ」のではなく「生きていく」話を提示した映画だよ。ハリウッド的なストーリー展開と冒険とコメディと、それからちょっと知的で人生の真実を伝える、自分が何ものかを教える、そんな要素とが融合した映画であってほしいと自分でも思ってるんだ。
DT 永遠に出来ないんじゃないかと思った。借金は両親、兄弟、友人、クレジットカード会社と山のようにたまるし、これから10年はこの映画の借金返済に追われると思ってた。だれもこの映画が成功するなんて思ってなかったし、映画祭だってこれがコメディなのかドラマなのかわからないってなかなか受け付けてくれないし、そうしたらベルリン映画祭で賞をもらって、そこからバラエティ誌の映画評で褒められて、それからあれよあれよって間にみんなが注目ってことになってね。作り手側としてはね、アーティストとして俳優も撮影監督もメイキャップも衣装もほんとうに協力的でさ、給料を少なくしてもとにかく完成させようとして頑張ってくれたんだ。ただしビジネス側、制作陣、販売エージェントだとか配給会社だとか財務関係だとか、そっちはすごく保守的で偏狭で、大変だった。
ベルリンですらそうでね、「トランスアメリカ」は600席とか800席の会場で上映して、ベルリンの人たちで売り切れ状態だったんだけど、ハリウッドの関係者はだれも来なかった。たまたま知り合いのプロデューサーに会って聞いたら、「みんなトラニー（トランスセクシュアルへの蔑称）の映画なんて見ないんだよ。商売にならんから」と言うんだ。にもかかわらず賞をもらってバラエティに出たら掌を返したように殺到してきたってわけ。で、ビル・メイシー（エグゼクティヴ・プロデューサーでハフマンの夫）が「こいつらには見せるな。トライベッカ（NYで春に行われる映画祭）でやろう」って言ってきてね（笑）。で、トライベッカ映画祭でいくつかのオファーを獲得したんだ。だがまだそう大した数ではなかった。まあ、大都市でしか上映できないような映画だということで。ぼくとしては「愛と追憶の日々（Terms of endearment）」とか「黄昏（On Golden Pond）」とかを見て泣いたり笑ったりした家族層なんかもを狙って作ったつもりだったんだが、配給会社側も広告代理店側も、その辺がよくわかってなかったんだよね。だって、トビー役のケヴィン・ジーガーがいるんだぜ。こんなにきれいな男の子が出てて、女の子たちを初めとして女性層が来ないわけがない。ゲイだって来るさ。それにフェリシティ・ハフマンだよ、「デスパレート・ハウスワイブズ」の。ねえ、あんたらバカじゃないの、って言ってやったら、「でも、ストーリーがねえ」って言いやがってさ。
＊＊＊
State's Highest Court Rules Against Gay Marriage
July 06, 2006
The state's highest court ruled Thursday that gay marriage is not allowed under state law.
In a 4-2 decision, the State Court of Appeals rejected arguments by same-sex couples throughout the state who said that state law violates their constitutional rights.
The court said New York's marriage law clearly limits marriage to between a man and a woman and any change in the law should come from the Legislature.
The case involved several lawsuits representing 44 gay and lesbian couples in the state.
Associate Judge Robert Smith wrote in the majority opinion wrote: "By limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples, New York is not engaging in sex discrimination. The limitation does not put men and women in different classes, and give one class a benefit not given to the other."
In a dissenting opinion, Chief Judge Judith Kaye said: "I am confident that future generations will look back on today's decision as an unfortunate misstep."
The cases decided Thursday were filed two years ago when high court judges in Massachusetts ruled same-sex couples there have the same rights to wed as straight couples.
Gay rights groups called the ruling a sad day for New York families, saying they are disappointed but that they are not giving up.
"It's so disheartening and so difficult to hear that the courts can't protect us, and we have to turn to the people," said plaintiff Cindy Blink.
They say they hope to have a gay marriage bill in front of state lawmakers by next year.
Both Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor George Pataki said they do not believe that same-sex marriage should be regulated by the courts.
Instead, they say it is a matter of changing the state's existing marriage law, a move that must be made in Albany.
"I haven't read the entire decision, but I just think it's right that any change in what has been the law of this state for over 200 years should be made by the elected representatives of the people and not by the court," said the governor.
"It's not the state's business who you can marry, and now, having said that, I also believe that it is up to the legislature to have laws. The governor and I will enforce whatever laws are on the books. And so I will personally campaign to change the law," said the mayor.
Democratic front-runner for governor Eliot Spitzer says he also supports gay marriage, which means if elected this fall, he could push for a law change.
The issue also has its detractors, including State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. He has said he will oppose any effort to legalize gay marriage.
「Love is a Force of Nature」というのがこの物語の映画版のコピーだ。「愛とは自然の力」。a force of nature は抗し難い力、有無をいわせずすべてを押し流してしまうような圧倒的な力のことだ。「愛とはそんなにも自然で強力な生の奔流。だからそれに異を唱えることはむなしい」──そのメッセージ。
さらに寄付を集めて他の雑誌や新聞にも、同様の広告を打つようです。
で、コピーは
「We agree with everyone who named 'Brokeback Mountain' best picture」
「わたしたちは、ブロークバック・マウンテンを最優秀映画賞に決めたすべての人々に賛同します」
あるいはかねてから言われていたように、「ブロークバック」を、アカデミーの会員のご老人たちは観てもいないのではないか、という説。
アカデミーというのは映画に関係するすべての職業の人から構成されていて、現在の会員は6000人くらい。そのうち投票するのは4500人とか5000人なんですが、ほかの賞のグループ、監督協会とか評論家協会とかよりも高齢化が進んでいて、そこに候補作品のDVDが送られてくるという仕組みです。それで自分で見る。日本にも何人も会員はいて、そこに字幕付きのも送られてます。
だが、このカウボーイ同士のゲイの恋愛もの、そういうご年配の会員たちにとって、黙ってても観てくれる種類のものだろうかというと……。 「クラッシュは私たち自身が生きて働くこの業界をよく体現した映画だ（ 'Crash' was far more representative of the our industry, of where we work and live）」とあるハリウッド関係者がNYタイムズの記事でコメントしています。対してブロークバックは「神聖なハリウッドのアイコン偶像に挑戦した、アカデミーのご年配方がそういうアメリカのカウボーイのイメージが壊れるのを観たいだろうかというと、答えは明らかだろう（'Brokeback' took on a fairly sacred Hollywood icon, the cowboy, and I don't think the older members of the academy wanted to see the image of the American cowboy diminished.）」ということです。
脚本を書いたラリー・マクマートリーもまた「Perhaps the truth really is, Americans don't want cowboys to be gay,（きっと真実はたぶん本当に、アメリカ人はカウボーイがゲイであってはほしくないということなんだろう）」と「bittersweet」なオスカーの夜を振り返っています。
彼らは、これはだれにでも起きることで、たまたまその２人が男だったというに過ぎない、という意味でいっているのでしょうけれど（その証拠に、映画のポスターには「Love is a force of nature」とあるのです。ことさらに、「自然の力」である、と）、これって逆に、すごく危険じゃないですか。
ヤバいなあ、と冒頭に書いたのは、そういうことです。
この雑誌は〈Read The Truth〉というコンセプトのもと、LGBTのセンスや視点で迫る野心的なカルチャー・マガジンです（とはいえ、一介の配本業者であるはずの東販、日販の強圧的な編集権介入的指導によって「ゲイ」という文字は表紙には出せず）。12月8日発売予定となる創刊号では、ご存知、お正月映画「僕の恋、彼の秘密」に主演するトニー・ヤンが表紙を飾るほか（彼はゲイ雑誌だと知っても表紙モデルを快諾したそうです）、新作『Confessions On A Dancefloor』がヒット中のマドンナにもロンドンでインタビューしました（マドンナは５日に来日予定。この「yes」のプロモートにも一役買ってくれるかもしれないとの思惑のもと、ひそかに戦略を画策中）。
- Special Feature：マドンナ･インタビューin London、カイリー･ミノーグ、ロビー・ウィリアムスほか
- 特集：「US LGBT TV最新事情 New Yorkルポ」
MTV、CBSとおなじバイアコムが今夏、初めて基本ケーブルサービスで設立したLGBT TV局「LOGO」。視聴世帯数1800万世帯までにぐんぐん成長しています。この設立までの道のりや、CNNでも活躍していた若手リポーターをメインキャスターに据えたLGBT関連専門ニュースチームの立ち上げをインタビューを交えて詳細にリポートしています。話題の番組コンテンツと合わせての紹介は、日本初のメディア露出です。
Osaka Prefectural Assembly legislator comes out as lesbian
(Kyodo) _ In a move rarely seen by a legislator, Kanako Otsuji, a member of the Osaka Prefectural Assembly, told reporters Friday that she is a lesbian and is publishing an autobiography that centers on her quest for sexual identity.
When she ran in an election for the 112-seat prefectural assembly in April 2003, Otsuji, 30, gave up the idea of coming out to the public because she was unsure she could win understanding about her sexuality from the general public in the prefecture with a population of 8.84 million, the second largest after Tokyo.
With two years elapsed, she decided to come out because "I don't want children troubled by being homosexual to experience the same (hardship she had)."
In her book titled "Coming Out -- Jibunrashisa wo Mitsukeru Tabi (a journey for finding your true self)" published by Kodansha Ltd., she says she realized she was homosexual when she fell in love with a woman at the age of 23 but had a hard time because she could not tell her parents or close friends.
さらに、Ballmer 氏の通信は、雇用差別禁止連邦法に性的指向による差別禁止条項を加えることを支持している企業に Microsoft も仲間入りする意向だとも記している。連邦の雇用差別禁止法は、すでに人種/性別/国籍/宗教/年齢/身体障害による雇用差別を禁じているが、性的指向による差別も禁止すべきだという声も増えており、Microsoft もそれに賛同したことになる。
Microsoft Changes Stand on Gay Issues
By internetnews.com Staff
After withdrawing its support for a pending gay rights bill in Washington State, Microsoft (Quote, Chart) has changed its mind.
In an e-mail to employees Friday, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said after thinking the issue over -- such as whether it was appropriate for a public corporation to get involved in such public policy discussions -- he decided to err on the side of diversity.
"Regardless of where people came down on the issues, everyone expressed strong support for the company's commitment to diversity," Ballmer's memo said. "To me, that's so critical. Our success depends on having a workforce that is as diverse as our customers -- and on working together in a way that taps all of that diversity."
Microsoft said it released the memo to the public in response to widespread public interest in the company's position about the anti-discrimination legislation.
Although Microsoft is among the earliest companies to extend company benefits to same-sex partners, a prior memo from Ballmer, explaining why Microsoft decided to remain neutral on an anti-discrimination bill in Washington State, sparked an uproar among gay rights groups.
"I said in my April 22 e-mail that we were wrestling with the question of how and when the company should engage on issues that go beyond the software industry. After thinking about this for the past two weeks, I want to share my decision with you and lay out the principles that will guide us going forward," Ballmer said.
"First and foremost, we will continue to focus our public policy activities on issues that most directly affect our business, such as Internet safety, intellectual property rights, free trade, digital inclusion and a healthy business climate."
But after looking at the question from all sides, Ballmer said he concluded that diversity in the workplace is also an important issue for the company.
"Therefore, it's appropriate for the company to support legislation that will promote and protect diversity in the workplace."
In addition, the memo said Microsoft would join other companies in supporting federal legislation that would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation -- adding sexual orientation to the existing law that already covers race, sex, national origin, religion, age and disability.
"Obviously, the Washington State legislative session has concluded for this year, but if legislation similar to HB 1515 is introduced in future sessions, we will support it."
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Microsoft C.E.O. Explains Reversal on Gay Rights Bill
マイクロソフトのCEO、ゲイ人権法案への支持撤回を説明
By SARAH KERSHAW （記者署名サラ・カーショー）
Published: April 24, 2005
SEATTLE, April 23 - The chief executive of Microsoft, Steven A. Ballmer, sent what company officials described as an unusual e-mail message on Friday evening to roughly 35,000 employees in the United States, defending Microsoft's widely criticized decision not to support an antidiscrimination bill for gay people in Washington State this year.
The e-mail message came as company officials, inundated by internal messages from angry employees, withering attacks on the Web and biting criticism from gay rights groups, sought to quell rancor following the disclosure this week that the company, which had supported the bill in past years, did not do so this year. Critics argue that the decision resulted from pressure from a prominent local evangelical Christian church.
In his message, posted on several Web logs on Saturday and confirmed by company officials, Mr. Ballmer wrote that he had done "a lot of soul searching over the past 24 hours." He said that he and Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, both personally supported the bill but that the company had decided not to take an official stance on the legislation this year. He said they were pondering the role major corporations should play in larger social debates.
"We are thinking hard about what is the right balance to strike - when should a public company take a position on a broader social issue, and when should it not?" he wrote. "What message does the company taking a position send to its employees who have strongly held beliefs on the opposite side of the issue?"
The bill, which has been debated in the Legislature for years and would have extended protections against discrimination in employment, housing and other areas to gay men and lesbians, failed by one vote on Thursday.
Critics, including some Microsoft employees and a state legislator, who said they had conversations with company officials about their decision, said a high-level Microsoft executive had indicated that the company withdrew its support because of pressure from a local minister, Ken Hutcherson. Dr. Hutcherson opposed the bill and said he had threatened a national boycott of Microsoft.
Company officials have denied any connection between the threatened boycott and their decision not to support the bill.
会社側は今回のこの法案不支持の決定とボイコットの脅しとは無関係だと否定してるけどね。
Microsoft, which is based in Redmond, Wash., east of Seattle, has long been known for being at corporate America's forefront on gay rights, extending employee benefits to same-sex couples. In his e-mail message, Mr. Ballmer said, "As long as I am C.E.O., Microsoft is going to be a company that is hard-core about diversity, a company that is absolutely rigorous about having a nondiscriminatory environment, and a company that treats every employee fairly."
Mr. Ballmer described the antidiscrimination measure as posing a "very difficult issue for many people, with strong emotions on all sides." He wrote, "both Bill and I actually both personally support this legislation," adding, "but that is my personal view, and I also know that many employees and shareholders would not agree with me."
Blogs and chat rooms on the Web were filled Saturday with lively debate about Microsoft's actions, including postings from people who said they would now buy products from other software companies and encourage others to do the same.
One posting Friday on a Web log run by "Microsophist," who promises "an unfiltered and unfettered view of Microsoft from the inside," said of Mr. Ballmer's memo: "When I read the mail, I felt some relief (the situation wasn't as bad as I'd first thought) followed by disappointment as he's basically saying he doesn't want to do anything that might cross the religious right."
A gay Microsoft employee who read the e-mail message from Mr. Ballmer on Saturday and spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retribution said: "Overall it's a good thing that Steve is reaffirming the company's commitment to it's internal anti-discrimination policies. But I'm disappointed that he would give equal weight to the views of employees or shareholders who would condone discrimination as to those who would be the subject of discrimination."
新法王に選ばれたヨーゼフ・ラツィンガーについて、「Becoming a Man」というポール・モネットの半自叙伝に次のような記述があります。彼は24年にわたって教理省長官を務め、教義において超保守的とされた前法王ヨハネ・パウロ２世の側近中の側近でした。バチカンのこの20数年間の超保守主義を形作って恥じなかった人物です。エイズ禍初期の80年代に、いかにひどい憎悪の言葉が彼らの口から発せられたか。そういう男が今度の法王です。
Researchers find gay penguins in Japanese aquariums
Agence France-Presse
Tokyo,?December 25|19:23 IST
Researchers have found a number of same-sex pairs of penguins at aquariums in Japan, with an imbalance between the numbers of male and female birds suspected to be the cause, a report said on Saturday.
A research group led by Keisuke Ueda, professor of behavioural ecology at Rikkyo University in Tokyo, found about 20 same-sex pairs at 16 major aquariums and zoos, Kyodo news agency said.
Penguins in captivity "may be more likely to form same-sex pairs" due to?the?difficulty of finding partners of the opposite sex because breeding facilities in Japan only have an average of 20 birds, the agency quoted Ueda as saying.
It is not known if the frequency of homosexuality is higher than in the wild, where telling the sexes apart is tough, he said.
Many of the gay male pairs and two of the female pairs were seen performing mounting behaviour, it said.
Ueda was not available for comment on the report on Saturday.
まだまだ「ネットワーク」を構成するに至るには時間がかかるかもしれませんが、こういうのは歴史ですから、拙速は目指しません。具体的な構想もまだですけれど、いま私のアタマの中にあるのは、日本ではLGBTの医療・社会福祉関係者のネットワークであるAGP（http://homepage2.nifty.com/AGP/）の活動とか、ひいては米国のThe National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association（The National http://www.nlgja.org/index.html）に匹敵するようなものへの発展です。
彼女、ディベートが終わってからすぐに、「This is not a good man（こいつはとても上質の人間とは言えない）」と苦虫をかみつぶしたように発言、さらに「なんて安っぽく卑劣な政治的な引っかけかしら！（What a cheap and tawdry political trick!）」とまで言い切ったのです。
マグリービー知事というのは笑顔さわやか、民主党の次世代ホープとして期待されていた人です。二回結婚して、それぞれの妻との間に娘が１人ずついます。「I am a gay American」の例の記者会見はなんと全米放送されましたが、となりにはその２番目の奥さんが（なぜか最初はにこにこして）立っていました。知事の背後にはご両親も立っていました。
「公然と同性間の性行為をしない限り刑事訴追される危険性は相当低く」というのは、とても法律の勉強をした者とは思えない無知だ。米国でのソドミー法の例をとるまでもなく、ソドミー法というのは一般に、「同性愛」という頭の中のことを裁けないがために、その“次善”の策として、同性間性行為を裁こうというものである。頭の中を裁けるものならやつらはほんとうはこの愛を裁きたいのだ。だからオスカー・ワイルドは裁判でその愛を名前で呼ぶことを避けたのである。あえてその名を呼ぶことをしない愛（The love that dare not speak its name）、とはそういうことなのだ。
ということで、私たち日本人もプライドマーチを歩きます。例によって浴衣姿。
もし参加したければ、29日日曜日の当日、53丁目の五番街とマディソンの間に午前11時半までにぷらぷら集まってください。そこにAPICHAというアジア人向けのエイズ支援団体の一行が集合することになっています。私たちも「ジョーズ（JAWS=Japanese AIDS Workshop Series」という団体でそれにくっついて歩くわけです。ま、浴衣のない人でも普段着で参加けっこうですよ。あるいはすごいコスチュームでいらしてもウェルカム。つまり、だれでもウェルカム。だって、このマーチはみんな違うってことを認め合うのがテーマですからね。
