Our story of two women raising a child #marriage equality for all
Sora: Akki, let's go to the park! Akki: Alright, let's go! Put on your hat~ Sora: Okay! Woman: Oh, going for a walk with your mom? How nice!
Woman: Your eyes look so alike. Akki: Haha, thank you. Even though we're not connected genetically, being
Kaori: I bought groceries from the supermarket, help me, please. Akki: Sure thing. With the help of a friend as a sperm donor and the support of both parents, we're raising our child together. However, I don't have legal custody. Legally, we're
# I'm home! Making baby food, dropping off and picking up from daycare... Even though I'm doing my best at parenting while working hard at my job, I'm not considered a parent socially or legally. If something happens to Kaori-chan, Sora and I are just strangers. Sora: Akki, what are you doing? Akki: Oh, just organizing our photos. Though I don't want to think about it, I've gathered lots of photos of the three of us in case something happens. (There are already 20 albums) Akki: Look, this is when you were still a baby.
Leaving evidence of our life as a family... When going out with Sora-chan, I carry health insurance cards and sometimes the maternity handbook... I ensure the daycare can contact me in emergencies, and we go to the hospital with grandparents... Preparing for
Some might think,

【Manga】Legal Strangers, Yet Parenting Together: Exploring Same-Sex Parenting and the Meaning of Same-Sex Marriage

2024.02.27

In current Japan, legal marriage is not recognized for two individuals of the same gender on official family registers.

However, are you aware that many same-sex couples are living together as families in reality? Moreover, there are numerous couples among them who are raising children.

Recently, awareness of the term “LGBT” has increased, and there is growing support for same-sex marriage lawsuits. Yet, there are still limited opportunities to learn about the daily lives of same-sex couples, especially regarding parenting.

This time, we will share the real-life experiences of a female couple raising children through a manga.

This  manga illustrated the experiences of Akisan (pseudonym) and her family, who support each other with care, tackle the challenges of parenting together, and strengthen their bonds. Akisan’s partner, Kaorisan (pseudonym), was pregnant, and during that time, they attended parenting classes together. Since the birth of their child, Sorachan (pseudonym), they both have been actively involved in parenting.

Akisan’s family lives a daily life similar to what many people imagine when they hear the term “family.” The only difference from heterosexual couples is whether their relationship is legally recognized or not.

In the case of Akisan’s family, there is a legal relationship concerning custody between Kaorisan, who physically gave birth to Sorachan, and Sorachan. However, as a co-parent involved in raising Sorachan, Kaorisan does not have legal recognition.

This means that, in the unfortunate event of something happening to Kaorisan, there is no legal proof of the relationship between Akisan and Sorachan. Additionally, if Sorachan were to fall ill, it would be challenging for Akisan alone to understand the medical explanations or be present during medical procedures.

“The lack of legal proof of the relationship” is something that can create a lot of anxiety. For those who can have a legally recognized relationship, there may still be limited opportunities to imagine this.

Having anxieties they wouldn’t have if they were a heterosexual couple, and struggling with precautions they wouldn’t need to take in a heterosexual relationship. Kaorisan shared that through these small daily challenges, “dignity is gradually eroded.”

Wanting to live a life with a beloved family with a “normal sense of reassurance.” How do you all feel about the current situation where even that is not possible?

Achieving same-sex marriage means creating a society where many existing same-sex couples can live without eroding their dignity and with peace of mind. And that sense of security and lifestyle is something “heterosexual individuals naturally enjoy.”

This episode is aimed to make many people aware that the realization of same-sex marriage is an issue of dignity.

(Translation: Jennifer Martin)