Students and faculty members of our university participated in the "Sapporo Rainbow Pride 2024" parade held on September 15th (Sunday). This first-ever participation in the parade was made possible by a proposal from Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL), with whom our university signed a comprehensive partnership agreement in 2022, and represents a commitment to diversity and inclusion.DEIEighteen people who applied through an on-campus recruitment process conducted by the Promotion Headquarters and the Social Collaboration Section of the Social Co-creation Department, along with JAL employees, walked in the parade as a joint team.
Now in its 24th year, Sapporo Rainbow Pride (organized by the Sapporo Rainbow Pride Executive Committee) is an event held every September with the aim of eliminating discrimination against LGBTQ and other sexual minorities and realizing a society that accepts sexual diversity. It is an event in which not only LGBTQ individuals themselves but also people who understand and support them (allies) can participate together.
This year's parade saw over 1,000 participants in total. JAL and our university were placed in the "Passion Float," the first group to march, following a lead vehicle that displayed messages promoting understanding of sexual minorities.
Many of the participants were walking in a parade for the first time, and they marched through the streets of Sapporo, cheering "Happy Pride!" with each other and waving to people along the route. Many people along the route and in passing cars cheered warmly for the parade procession, and participants commented that "it was a parade with a great atmosphere that created a sense of unity among the citizens."
The rain that had been falling since the morning stopped before the parade, making the rainbow-colored flags, a symbol of LGBTQ pride, shine even brighter during the parade.
The parade started at Odori 3-chome and followed a 3km course through Odori Park, Sapporo Clock Tower, Red Brick Government Building, and Sapporo Station Street. After completing the course, the joint team from JAL and Hokkaido University took a group photo, concluding the event. Participating in the parade fostered new interactions among students and provided a very meaningful opportunity to share and promote understanding and support for sexual minorities.
Hokkaido University will continue to promote understanding of LGBTQ+ individuals and other sexual minorities.
Commemorative photo after the parade
