There were 37 participants, including adults and children. We met a lot of great people!
And because there was such a diverse audience, we split into two groups to have more in-depth discussions.
Participants holding their babies shared their experiences of child-rearing as they held them and put them to sleep.
The group talked about the difficulties they faced while trying to get pregnant.
On the other hand, there are several people who are foster parents in other towns.
There were tables filled with elementary school-aged children, all drawing together.
Single parents, step families,
"As a non-binary person, it's difficult to enter parental communities where the premise is 'mom and dad'"
"When I see my name written as 'father' or 'mother' on school or after-school documents, I feel a sense of alienation as an 'unexpected presence.'"
etc.
We also heard stories from people who have overcome challenges.
Local politicians who participated as volunteers through Tokyo Pride
He listened intently,
He said, "I'll immediately check out any areas that can be improved based on what I've heard today!"
I felt it was wonderful to be able to connect with a local politician I could trust.
We will continue to hold these meetups in various locations.
The next one will be in Sapporo on September 15th (festival), but we are also planning to hold one in Tokyo when it has cooled down a bit.
(The next event will be a secret meeting for members only, so if you are interested, we would be delighted if you would become a supporting member.)
Every time we have a get-together, the baby gets bigger and there is progress in our efforts to conceive.
Or you may hear stories of changes in their feelings since the conversation they had at their last offline meetup.
I'm looking forward to hearing about your latest developments.
Even if it's your first time, please give it a try.
If you let us know when you apply that you would like to hear stories like this, we will connect you with a support member who has had the same experience.
We will be holding a social gathering in Tokyo on Sunday, July 6th.
Non-members are also welcome to participate, so feel free to come!
・It's okay if you have children or not.
We are looking for volunteers to keep an eye on your children!
- Eating and drinking are not permitted at the venue, so please refrain from doing so openly.
(Please collect all trash.)
・Drinks in plastic bottles are OK.
・We will provide mats for small children, but we would appreciate it if you could bring your own toys, picture books, and other items.
・At Nijiiro Kazoku, we have a diverse range of families, including those with different gender identities, family structures, ways of raising children, and personal and family situations. We must be mindful of our diverse values and situations so that we can spend time together in a safe environment. However, no matter how careful we are, there is no "absolute" rule. If you have any concerns, please feel free to consult with our staff.
-Especially now, with the proposed Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill in place, I'm sure there are many women who are feeling very anxious about whether they are planning to conceive or are currently trying to conceive.
If there is anything you would like to hear about or discuss, please fill out the form and we will connect you on the day.
Also, if you have any special circumstances that you would like us to take into consideration, please let us know.