Pride Center Osaka (プライドセンター大阪)

As an LGBTQ+ tourist, I was very excited to find this spot. Perhaps because I came on a weekend, it was slightly more colourful and vibrant than Tokyo Pride House. The staff (Ruu and Dennis) were very gracious to show me around the space and to listen about my experiences in my home country. I also played card games with some of the local queer folks, which was really fun! A great way to spend a weekend as a tourist, making lots of like minded friends.

It might be suitable for people who want to use it for fun or for those outside the LGBTQ community to deepen their understanding. A relative of mine previously used the counseling service here, but [They said things like, "Oh really? (Regarding your problem) Why don't you just do this? Everyone puts up with it, it's not that big of a deal,"] they received no understanding or even empathy, and went home hurt. Not only did they not receive counseling, but they were treated as an "outsider" even within the community, leaving them with a sense of alienation. It was an unfortunate outcome, so I honestly gave it a 1-star rating. I believe it's the most LGBTQ-focused facility in the Kansai region, so I hope it will improve in the future.

On the first Thursday of each month, a monthly board game gathering was held, and my daughter and I participated. Everyone there was incredibly kind, and it was a very comfortable space where everyone accepted each other's diversity. While today's children have less of a gender gap than in the past, and society is slowly changing with the times, prejudice still persists. I hope that the world will become a place where minorities can live more easily.

Compared to Pride House in Tokyo, the books are newer and the space design feels a little different, and I felt a bit guilty being welcomed so warmly by the staff...lol