ViiV Healthcare, a pharmaceutical company specializing in HIV/AIDS treatments, has sponsored Tokyo Rainbow Pride (TRP) since 2016. They collaborate with various NGOs in the community and have put up educational billboards in Shinjuku Ni-chome. What motivates their continued dedication to the community? We spoke with Asuka Sasai, responsible to Government Affairs, Public Policy and Patient Advocacy.
Asuka Sasai
Interview/Article by Moushin Takamatsu
Photography by Akane Kiyohara
Q: Can you share some of ViiV Healthcare’s activities since last year?
Our company is the pharmaceutical company specializing in the HIV/AIDS field, a subsidiary of GlaxoSmithKline. As ViiV Healthcare, we have supported Tokyo Rainbow Pride since 2016 and have also sponsored pride events in local areas for several years.
While we are not as large a sponsor as TRP, we did support the Sapporo and Kyushu Rainbow Pride events last year. This year, we also plan to support the Hamamatsu Rainbow Pride and the NLGR+, a Nagoya-based event focusing on sexual health topics such as HIV.
Persisting Stigma and Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Individuals in the Medical Field
Last year, we collaborated with six other pharmaceutical companies within our industry for a joint study session. Though aimed at employees, we explored issues such as stigma and discrimination in the medical field, along with potential measures and solutions.
Q: What types of stigma and discrimination are present in the medical field?
One issue that arose in the study group concerned the “gender field” on the medical questionnaire. Requesting individuals to indicate their birth gender can provide crucial information for things like medication dosage and type, as well as symptom and illness identification. While asking for gender serves a purpose and is necessary, some participants expressed uncertainty about what to write in the gender field due to a lack of explanation of why it is necessary.
Moreover, although this issue has been prevalent for some time, there are still instances where medical institutions fail to acknowledge same-sex partners for disease disclosure and family consent. It’s disheartening to know that there are still many individuals experiencing difficulties due to this.
Q: Has the growing recognition of partnerships in municipalities led to a decrease in the prevalence of such stories, or do they still persist strongly despite these changes?
Many of the healthcare professionals we typically interact with encounter gay and bisexual men regularly. However, since they rarely discuss these issues, I found myself wondering if such situations still occur in mainstream healthcare settings. This made me realize there’s much to learn about this topic.
Q: What initiatives are being implemented within the company?
We have an LGBTQ+ employee resource group (ERG) called ‘Spectrum Japan’ that spanned across our group of companies. Last year, two executives from our company took on roles as sponsors for this group. Despite being a relatively small company with about 50 employees, we’re encouraged by the fact that the heads of major departments, such as Sales and Medical Affairs(#1), stepped forward to support us.
Until now, our awareness activities were mainly carried out by group members alone. However, with sponsors on board, we hope to see increased participation and understanding from employees in our activities.
(#1) This specialized department focuses on providing information and engaging in development activities that leverage medical expertise.
Q: Could you outline the initiatives you have in store for the future?
We’re organizing a workshop on understanding sexual minority issues, and it’s mandatory for all employees to participate. Unlike previous optional events like lectures and meetings, this workshop will involve interactive activities. Participants will engage in simulated experiences, putting themselves in the shoes of sexual minorities and reflecting on appropriate responses.
Our goal is to promote mutual respect and psychological safety, core values we aim to cultivate company-wide. Engaging everyone in this initiative will help embed these values deeper within our organizational culture.
Continuing Our Efforts: Joining Hands with the Community and Why It Matters
We specialize in HIV medicines, which means we often collaborate closely with nonprofit organizations (NPOs) in the LGBTQ+ community engaged in HIV prevention and awareness efforts. Rather than participating in events like TRP and parades on our own, we stand out by partnering with these NPOs.
This year, at our booth, we plan to collaborate with several organizations, sharing both space and theme. While our core approach remains consistent, we aim to design the booth layout to visually emphasize the connections between each organization.
In terms of content, we typically leave it to each NPO to decide, but we’re considering implementing a stamp rally. Although all organizations share the same ultimate goal, they focus on different aspects, such as prevention, testing, and treatment. Our aim is to encourage visitors to explore all facets of our booth, fostering a deeper understanding.
Q: When it comes to ViiV, the company has been continued to put billboards in Shinjuku Ni-chome for many years.
Our billboards have been up (in Nichome) for over 10 years, and although we changed to a new design last December, it’s nice when people notice the change. While not many people may deliberately look up when passing under the billboards, seeing it about HIV message every day might leave a lasting impression in the back of their minds, which I believe gives meaning to its continuation.
Q: Why do you believe your company is uniquely committed to collaborating with nonprofit organizations and maintaining ongoing engagement with the community?
In our field, we occasionally hear voices from the community expressing how they’ve been encouraged by our ongoing message dissemination by the billboard. It’s truly heartening. As we hope for this momentum to expand further, we remain committed to sustaining our efforts in the future.
The Tokyo Rainbow Pride (TRP) isn’t just a mere festival; it’s a massive event with tens of thousands of participants. While it certainly carries a festive vibe, we see it as much more than that. It’s a platform where diverse individuals, groups, and sectors converge to amplify their voices and advocate for change.
Q: The theme of Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2024 is “Don’t Give Up, Change Japan!” Would you agree that ViiV is indeed one of the companies that exemplifies this sentiment?
The theme ‘Don’t Give Up, Change Japan!’ encapsulates not only perseverance but also the recognition that meaningful change takes time and persistent effort. It’s about understanding that transformation requires ongoing adaptation.
As we mark our 14th year of operation in Japan, the entrenched stigma surrounding HIV persists, intertwined with biases against sexual minorities. Our mission is to remove these stigmas. While we actively advertise in public spaces and participate in events like Tokyo Rainbow Pride, we acknowledge that these initiatives alone won’t rapidly reshape societal attitudes. Addressing ingrained stigma and discrimination is a nuanced challenge. Thus, we’re committed to continually refining our approach, even if progress comes in incremental steps.
Amidst the commendable advocacy efforts of NGOs and organizations, the significance of private companies like ours sponsoring and engaging in such events lies in our broader commitment to social impact beyond profit. We aim to be catalysts for change, standing shoulder to shoulder with others to shape societal norms.
Through events like Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2024, where diverse sectors including NGOs, businesses, embassies, municipalities, and universities converge, we aspire to contribute to a shift in societal perceptions, fostering a more inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community.
