CSU Los AngelesMaya Hernandez.

We as Japanese queer people have very few spaces and Okaeri Matsuri is a sacred place where we can gather and experience queer joy in its purest form! I love seeing everyone dancing as it reminds me of when I was a little kid.many LGBTQ+ Nikkei have expressed that they did not feel able to be themselves at more traditional events.

and attendees shared in the experience through the communal ondo dances.Due to factors including traditional gender norms and long-ingrained cultural and social expectations.-based taiko group TaikoProject.

in 2023 alone over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced across the country.performers and attendees alike were able to articulate queer joy while simultaneously challenging traditional norms and expectations.

The inception of Okaeri Matsuri (formerly known as Queer Obon) in 2023 was driven by the realization that.

and communal space ever more necessary.As she grows into a beautiful woman.

believed to be the oldest story in Japanese literature.many suitors come forward seeking her hand in marriage.

GLENDALE —The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.engaging all five senses to immerse the audience in the world of the story.