【Permanent LGBT Center】Pride Center Osaka

CONNECT introduces institutions, communities, and services recommended by the Palettalk editorial team to our readers. This corner is not just about connections and input within your smartphone but also about providing various “places of connection” where you can directly communicate your thoughts, listen to others, and more.

The “CONNECT” we are introducing this time is the Pride Center Osaka.

Located in Temmabashi, Osaka, it is a “permanent LGBTQ center.” It’s a place open to everyone, not just the LGBTQ+ community but also those around them and individuals interested in learning about LGBTQ+.

Recommended for Whom?

The notable feature of Pride Center Osaka is its permanent nature. Unlike Irregularly held events, it is open from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (excluding holidays and temporary closure days). This makes it a great recommendation for those who suddenly feel like talking or think, “Maybe I’ll drop by today.”

When you visit the center on the 7th floor of a building along the river, the staff will welcome you with a warm atmosphere. Although the center just opened in April 2022, it has already been visited by over 2,000 people.

What Can You Do at Pride Center Osaka?

During the open hours, you can engage in activities like chatting, reading books, playing games, and more. If you visit, someone will be there, and you can share your thoughts on sexuality during conversations or discuss your current situation. Of course, you don’t need to talk about it at all. It’s a place where you can just be.

Especially in the process of becoming an adult, many people may not have had this kind of safe environment to openly discuss sexuality. They might have had no choice but to remain silent, and even as adults, some may still not have that opportunity.

At Pride Center Osaka, you can also have individual consultations with specialized counselors. You can choose between face-to-face consultations in a soundproof consultation room within the center or online consultations using the “Zoom” online meeting app. If going to the center seems a bit far, consider online counseling.

*You can use consultations with friends, partners, and family.
*Consultations in sign language are also available.

Access

📍Temmanbashi MS Bldg. 2F, 2-1-6 Tenma, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

Open Hours
Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
(except holidays and temporary closing days)
3:00pm-8:00pm

“We hope to be a small ray of hope when LGBTQ lives feel dark. We hope that by gathering under that light, encouraging one another, and being healed, each of us will be able to get back on track with our lives.” (From the official website)

Message from Representative Maki Muraki

Starting the center, I’ve strongly felt the importance of it being “permanent” and “comprehensive.” We’ve received voices from people with diverse sexual orientations not fitting into the LGBTQ category and those around LGBTQ individuals, saying, “There hasn’t been a place for me until now.” The center’s staff also values the Osaka-like “casualness” and “laughter.” Even if you have no particular reason to visit, we want it to be a place where you can casually drop by, so please feel free to come. “Waiting for ya~”

(Translation: Jennifer Martin)