![\"lgbt](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fukuoka-now.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/lgbt-2014-web-report-004-e1446023975763.jpg?resize=640%2C480\")
<\/p>\nThe second-ever LGBT parade in Kyushu is happening on Nov. 22 (Sun.), as part of Kyushu Rainbow Pride 2015! The parade will start and finish at Reisen Park. Like last year, the parade promises to celebrate diversity and offer the LGBT community a rare opportunity to express themselves openly. We asked this year\u2019s organizers to give us the low-down…<\/p>\n
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How many participants are you expecting this year?<\/strong> How can we sign up for the parade?<\/strong> Are there any dos and don\u2019ts?<\/strong> What happens if it rains?<\/strong> What\u2019s new this year?<\/strong> What else is there to see and do?<\/strong> What should I bring?<\/strong> What food and drink will there be?<\/strong> What other booths will there be?<\/strong> Is there a dress code?<\/strong> What stage performances will there be? <\/strong> Will there be an after-party? <\/strong> Parade route map:<\/strong> Kyushu Rainbow Pride 2015<\/strong> Read Fukuoka Now\u2019s full report<\/a> from the 2014 parade (including lots of great photos)! <\/p>\n
\n5,000 are expected to attend the event, but the parade is limited to 300.<\/p>\n
\nPre-register on our website or try your luck on the day.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t drink alcohol during the parade.
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t get too rowdy or hyper – we want everyone to have fun, but not at the expense of anyone else!
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t leave\/join the parade halfway through.
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t expect too much English assistance. Best to come with someone who speaks Japanese.
\n\u2022 Do bring sunglasses or a mask if you don\u2019t want your face to appear on any media (we\u2019re expecting a lot of coverage).<\/p>\n
\nThe show must go on, come rain or shine!<\/p>\n![\"lgbt](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fukuoka-now.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/lgbt-2014-web-report-020-e1446023963159.jpg?resize=640%2C480\")
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\nLast year\u2019s event was focused on students. This year we\u2019ve gone community-wide, with more sponsors and companies participating. We want to raise greater awareness than ever before!<\/p>\n
\nWe\u2019ve got a great line-up of LGBT stage performances, and we\u2019ll celebrate a public wedding between a female-to-male transsexual and a straight woman. Plus, LGBT organizations & support groups will host booths, as well as many food & drink companies. There\u2019ll also be an official after-party (details on the Fukuoka Now website)!<\/p>\n
\nFeel free to bring a banner or message board with you to make your voice heard! (No offensive\/antisocial content, please.)<\/p>\n
\nHennessy will be offering Hennessy Tea (Hennessy & iced tea) and highballs. With the Style will be serving up spicy chicken. And Tsukushi (a popular mugi shochu brand from Fukuoka) will also be available. Other foods on offer include yakitori<\/em>, karaage<\/em>, clam chowder, minestrone soup, curry, and potato chips. There\u2019ll also be plenty of hot wine, hot ginger tea, hot cocoa, and other toasty beverages.<\/p>\n![\"lgbt](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fukuoka-now.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/lgbt-2014-web-report-023-e1446023953463.jpg?resize=640%2C480\")
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\nSoftbank will host a stall offering a family plan for homosexual couples (ID required). An openly gay financial planner will be offering consultations to members of the LGBT community. Gomi Konton will be selling rainbow-themed products. There\u2019ll also be a kids\u2019 play area, so feel free to bring your little ones!<\/p>\n
\nThere\u2019s no dress code (just make sure to stay warm!), but people are welcome to come dressed in costumes!<\/p>\n
\nNijigumi Fights (a gay idol group, http:\/\/nijigumifights.wix.com\/index<\/a>) and KI-YO (openly gay musician from Tokyo, http:\/\/g-glamour.com\/kiyo\/<\/a>) will be giving performances. And hibikiko (a musician from Fukuoka) will be rounding off the celebrations (http:\/\/ameblo.jp\/hibikiko\/<\/a>). There will also be various dance performances throughout the day.<\/p>\n
\nYes! There will be sets by guest and resident DJs and special performances. More details here<\/a>. <\/p>\n
\nWe will publish the parade route as soon as it becomes available.<\/p>\n![\"lgbt](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fukuoka-now.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/lgbt-2014-web-report-009-e1446092333962.jpg?resize=640%2C480\")
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\n\u2022 11\/22 (Sun.)
\n\u2022 10:00~17:00
\n\u2022 Parade: 14:00~
\n\u2022 Start\/Finish: Reisen Park (7 Kamikawabatamachi, Hakata-ku)
\n\u2022 Free
\n\u2022 http:\/\/qrp8lgbt.wix.com\/qpr4lgbt <\/a><\/p>\n