Mr Ogihara met his Japanese partner in Tokyo, and they continued their long-distance relationship between Tokyo and Sydney for a long time. The partner resides in Sydney.
As same-sex marriage is not legalized in Japan, Mr Ogihara assumed that he didn't have a option to get married to his loved one.
An opportunity arose in 2017, when same-sex marriage was legalized in Australia. Mr Ogihara and his Japanese partner got married in Sydney in 2018. Mr Ogihara completed his relocation to to Sydney in 2019.
Mr Ogihara has been a staple member for Tokyo Rainbow Pride from 2014 to 2018, as its photographer.
In the audio, Mr Ogihara shares his insight on the differences between Tokyo Rainbow Pride and Sydney's Mardi Gras Parade. Also he shares his views on same-sex marriage.
Being part of Mardi Gras, a bit differently this year
Mr Ogihara has been joining Sydney's Mardi Gras as a media photographer in the past, but this year, he decided to participate both as a participant and a photographer for a Japanese float. He said he will try to capture the parade from a different perspective.
"This float is organized by young Japanese people here. In past parades, I saw Japanese participants here and there but not a float run by a Japanese group. I think I can call them the 'new wave' (of LGBTQI movement)", Mr Ogihara said.
