"The photos will be our treasure"

July 12, 2024 7:36 AM

Frustrated by Japan’s same-sex marriage ban, LGBTQ couples opt for ‘photo weddings’
posted by May Kasahara (6 comments total)

"If I were permitted to draw aside the veil of private life, I would briefly give you the singular, and to me most interesting history of two maiden ladies who dwell in this valley" [smithsonian]
posted by HearHere at 8:07 AM on July 12 [2 favorites]

What a lovely photo essay, though it’s maddening that for security's sake, the faces need to be obscured.
Utterly gorgeous gowns!
posted by BostonTerrier at 8:21 AM on July 12 [2 favorites]

oh these are really beautiful. I love the creative ways in which faces were obscured without diminishing the beauty of the shots. I guess I did not really realize same sex marriage was still banned in Japan. I'm glad these beautiful couples are finding some joy to share in the midst of that sad situation.
posted by supermedusa at 8:31 AM on July 12 [6 favorites]

Yes, sad was the word that came to my mind.

Lovely photos, but just, sad.

Let people love who they want to love, and move on to bigger problems...
posted by Windopaene at 8:39 AM on July 12 [7 favorites]

If they didn't mix up the captions on one photo (red and black traditional outfits), that's a genderqueer man in female kimono and a woman in male hakama and haori. That works on... so many levels, including the traditional theatre where men are considered to be able to embody the female essence more than actual women in kabuki and the reverse in all-women revues, because each of them is basing their portrayal on their own gender's ideal of the opposite one.

Here's to marriage equality in Japan soon.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 9:08 AM on July 12 [6 favorites]

Very compelling photos. I had no idea it was still illegal there. The photos feel somewhat tragic; the point of my (American, heterosexual) wedding wasn’t the photos. But then again, the photos are simultaneously also symbolic of the real meaning. So I get the desire. Thanks for sharing.
posted by samthemander at 1:37 PM on July 12