Last year during Pride month I posted My Top 9 LGBTQ+ Manga a list that featured at number 1 a manga that had no official English release, but I said that it is a must-read when looking into the history of gay activism and Pride in Japan. Even though genres such as boys love, yaoi, girls love and yuri have had a following in Japan going on decades now, this does not mean that the country and its laws and government are as supportive of the LGBTQ+ community.
Same-sex marriage is still not legal in Japan, which means that long time same-sex couples do not have the same legal protections available as opposite-sex couples. They are allowed civil unions, but that does not give them the same full legal rights as a married couple. If you want to know more about the history of LGBT Rights in Japan and a brief history a good place to start is honestly the wiki page as a starting point, but like many civil issues within Japan, it can at times be hard to find information in English.
Reading manga about the LGBTQ+ experience in Japan written by authors who have experienced these hardships and struggles first hand is another way to learn about a history we outside of Japan may never get to see, and that is why when browsing twitter the other day I saw someone retweet that Until I Meet My Husband is getting an official English release this month I was so excited, even if just for now that is is only digital it is amazing news.
On June 21st the manga and light novel by the same name will be releasing on Bookwalker! I myself have already pre ordered both versions and look forward to rereading the manga legally this time and also look forward to giving the light novel a read too.
Yaoi Playground 