We had the pleasure of receiving a lecture on the career paths of gender and sexual minorities from Mr. Takafumi Kanno and Mr. Hayato. This lecture was part of the mandatory curriculum for first-year students in Nursing Career Introduction. Both speakers shared their personal experiences of confronting various challenges in the workplace and shaping their careers, touching on topics ranging from career theory to assertion skills. Mr. Kanno, with dual degrees in psychology and nursing, and Mr. Hayato, an experienced certified pediatric primary care nurse, provided the students with an invaluable learning experience beyond mere sharing of experiences.
At the time of the initial request, both speakers had different surnames and did not have a child. However, today, both bore the Kanno surname, and they were accompanied by their child, Nanami. We are grateful to Mr. Kanno’s mother for babysitting, enabling both speakers to grace the stage.
In the United States, it’s common to have faculty and clinical mentors who are sexual minorities. Our Harada Research Lab is committed to creating an environment where this becomes the norm in Japanese nursing as well, and where minorities can receive medical care with peace of mind.