Parents of LGBTQ children in Japan have called for the enactment of legislation that clearly stipulates discrimination is unacceptable. The group held an online news conference on Sunday.
The event was organized after Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio dismissed a top aide earlier this month for making discriminatory remarks about same-sex couples.
The issue prompted a non-partisan group of lawmakers to initiate a bill that facilitates understanding of LGBTQ people.
But some members of the main governing Liberal Democratic Party are opposed to the inclusion of language in the law that clearly states "discrimination is unacceptable."
Parents' group members said many LGBTQ children face serious discrimination and some have even taken their own lives.
They called for the establishment of basic rules stating discrimination is prohibited.
A woman from Tokyo with a young child said the only way to protect children is to shield them from discriminatory words. She noted that children will stop using such language if adults change their mindset, and said banning discrimination by law would be a big step.
The group plans to submit a written request to the government calling for the early enactment of a law that clearly bans discrimination.