[mercedesjin]

I have no idea what it's like to be gay in Japan, and I wonder if anyone can say what they think it's like there for someone who is queer. I know there are things there like yaoi and yuri that are pretty popular, but I don't know if people are accepting of it outside of media. (Kind of like watching someone running through the streets naked in a movie, but being absolutely against a person doing that in real life.)

I'm open to falling in love with anyone, regardless of gender. I've heard from articles that Japan is a homophobic country overall - but then, so is America, and I can openly express my interests without feeling discriminated against where I live. I'm going to Kyoto. Will I be butchered if I'm open about my sexuality there? Should I sneak through Tokyo's gay clubs at night?