Japan has become the first ever country in the world to have appointed a transgender man in a public office. Tomoya Hosoda, has been elected as the Councillor to the city of Iruma, Kanto after winning with a clear mandate by securing 21 out of 22 seats.
According to reports, Tomoya has affirmed that he does not wish to only fight and the LGBTQ rights but also the rights if the elderly and people with disability. He wished to achieve this goal by setting up a system that welcomes diversity and facilitates minority rights.
“Until recently, people have acted as if sexual minorities do not exist. We have many hurdles to overcome, but I hope to live up to everyone’s expectations”, Independent quoted Tomoya as saying. Kamikawa Aya, was the first transgender woman who was appointed as Tokyo municipal official in 2003.
He came out in the year 2015 and went on to change his name and gender in his family. He has also actively participated in several LGBTQ events and have promoted trans rights in Japan.
“I thought that I could not be happy. “But I remember to taking my courage and deciding to come out and hope to live. For me, coming out is just the starting line. Some walls can not be overcome by one person. But at such time, we have to work together and help each other out. By moving forward one step at a time and meeting all kinds of people, ways of thinking and values started to change,” he told a Japanese media.
He further went on to express gratitude over the support he received from his family and friends after decided to come out.
