Power of Rainbow! Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2012
Click to viewThis theme for the first Tokyo Rainbow Pride is the Power of Rainbow.
What does that mean?
The rainbow symbolises diversity and individuality. We believe that a society in which LGBT people can live comfortably is a society in which everyone is entitled to personal freedom and the pursuit of happiness. A Pride parade is an explosion of individuality and a symbol of a society blessed with diversity. We feel that if we resist giving into social pressure, we can’t be trapped by heteronormative convention. By celebrating diversity, we can create a society in which not just the LGBT community but each and every person is proud of who they are.
Who is the rainbow squirrel?
Our mascot is called Toby. He is a kind of flying squirrel native to Japan. The image of the flying squirrel gliding through the forest coincides with our hopes for the future of the LGBT community - that although we are faced with prejudice and discrimination, we will be able to nimbly soar through and overcome these obstacles.
Why the name Toby?
The name Toby comes from 飛 (tobi), the Japanese character for flight, and the English verb “to be,” and reflects our desire for a society in which LGBT people are naturally accepted and free to be themselves.
source 1 & source 2