Kat Joplin ⭐️ Le Horla Mizrahi

We can't be erased: 30 years on, the legacy of the Shinjuku Boys Beneath the flashing lights and Marlboro ads of late 20th-century Tokyo, a tiny community carves out a place for itself.

Kat Joplin revisits a landmark 1995 documentary following three “onabe” protagonists navigating Tokyo’s rough nightlife industry @katjoplin.bsky.social 

We can't be erased: 30 years on, the legacy of the Shinjuku Boys Beneath the flashing lights and Marlboro ads of late 20th-century Tokyo, a tiny community carves out a place for itself.

“Beneath the flashing lights and Marlboro ads of late 20th-century Tokyo, a tiny community carves out a place for itself.”

@katjoplin.bsky.social reflects on Japan’s queer scene thirty years on from a defining documentary

www.wearequeeraf.com/we-cant-be-e...

We can't be erased: 30 years on, the legacy of the Shinjuku Boys Beneath the flashing lights and Marlboro ads of late 20th-century Tokyo, a tiny community carves out a place for itself.

@katjoplin.bsky.social revisits a landmark 1995 documentary following three “onabe” protagonists as they navigate their transmasc identities while working Tokyo’s rough nightlife industry

We can't be erased: 30 years on, the legacy of the Shinjuku Boys Beneath the flashing lights and Marlboro ads of late 20th-century Tokyo, a tiny community carves out a place for itself.

🏳️‍⚧️ Thirty years on from a pivotal documentary about Trans masc communities in Tokyo, @katjoplin.bsky.social looks back to explore the legacy of the Shinjuku Boys 👇

Tokyo LGBTQ fundraiser to raise money for Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa Organizers blend art, drag and Jamaican cuisine to support marginalized communities still recovering from last year’s devastating storm.

My article on Chloe Douglas and Gordon Higgins's upcoming event, Wi Deh Yah!, is up!! This queer art event will be raising money for Jamaica's reconstruction efforts following hurricane Melissa.

#queerjapan #tokyo #jamaica #hurricanemelissa #lgbtq

www.japantimes.co.jp/community/20...

Graphic promoting a lesson titled “Rediscover the Shinjuku Boys, 30 years later with Kat Joplin.” Shows workbook pages, a phone displaying the article “We Can’t Be Erased,” and an archival photo of three young people. QueerAF Trans+ History Week branding and website link included.

2️⃣ Rediscover the trans masculine community of Tokyo - three decades later - with @katjoplin.bsky.social

www.wearequeeraf.com/dotheworkbook/

"How [Not] to Visit a Japanese Hot Spring," by Kat Joplin Advice from a Seasoned Professional My first time living in Japan—properly living, not touristing—was in a small town called Nakatsu, Oita Prefecture, where I worked as a middle school English teache...

Defenestration Magazine has published my humour piece. 🤭 Rather the opposite of your typical travel article.

www.defenestrationmag.net/2026/01/how-...

My Japan: A Week of Drag Queens, Ballroom, and Queer Joy Voyapon contributor, Kat Joplin, details a week in her life in Tokyo as a drag performer, teacher, and flâneuse.

A snapshot look into my day-to-day life, "My Japan," has been published by Voyapon! The drag, ballroom, and journalism joy of Tokyo

voyapon.com/my-japan-dra...

New free resource: The ultimate toolkit to shut down lies about Trans+ People Tips, lessons and ideas for how you can make our history better known to drown out pernicious lies

The QueerAF Workbook featuring my articles on Kim Longinotto and Jano Williams's documentary, Shinjuku Boys, and on Tokyo-based trans and Deaf activist Monkey Takano is available for download!!

www.wearequeeraf.com/new-free-res...

So wonderful as always getting to work with @wearequeeraf.com.

Graphic promoting a Trans+ History Week lesson titled “Gender diversity in families is nothing new with William Elisabeth-Cuthbert.” The image shows workbook pages, a phone screen displaying lesson content, and a historical black-and-white photograph.

Graphic promoting a Trans+ History Week lesson titled “Rediscover the Shinjuku Boys, 30 years later with Kat Joplin.” The image shows pages from the workbook and a phone screen displaying an article titled “We Can’t Be Erased,” alongside an archival photo of three young people.

From how gender diversity in families is nothing new (@willofwands.bsky.social) to rediscovering the Shinjuku boys with @katjoplin.bsky.social, the workbook delves into four Trans+ history stories you never had 🏳️‍⚧️

Yayayay Failbetter literature journal just published my speculative fiction!!

#sciencefiction #speculativefiction #writing

failbetter.com/content/soon...

Really happy with this new Tokyo Review piece. Not only is it an important topic in and of itself, but I think Japanese municipal politics in general deserve much more attention.

More Mystique pics from the Alex Dragicevic shoot

#mystique #xmen #cosplay #drag #dragcosplay #tokyodrag

Mystique photoshoot with Alex Dragicevic!

#mystique #drag #cosplay #xmen #dragcosplay #tokyodrag

My article on the rise of pet funerals in Japan is live!! Very excitingly, my editor suggested I reach out to Barbara Ambros, a professor of East Asian religion and human-animal relationships, whose work I have read a great deal. Beautiful to research.

www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/11...

Tokyo Drag Brunch: The Most Important Meal of the Day Kat Joplin navigates through the history and recent popularity of drag brunches in Japan where everyone is welcome to enjoy the food and show.

My article about the origins of drag brunch & its introduction to Japan is live on Voyapon!

Includes details about the brunches organized by Aika Markova, Miku Divine, and the TenCups team in Tokyo, Labianna Joroe and Brian Rentz.

#dragbrunch #drag #queerentertainment

voyapon.com/tokyo-drag-b...

New prime minister Sanae Takaichi is ultra right-wing, big on covering up Japan’s history of war crimes, very anti-immigration, and in 2014 took a smiling photo with Kazunari Yamada, leader of Japan's neo-Nazi party. 🫠

Heads up to the folks less plugged in to Japanese politics.

#Japan #politics

Japan Ballroom: A Step-by-Step Guide for Newcomers Like a two-tier lunch box, Japan ballroom can best be understood as two, adjacent and overlapping scenes: the major and kiki scenes writes Kat Joplin, Voyapon's LGBTQ correspondent.

Ballroom primer Part 2 is up!!!
Photos by Rino Emmei and Don Whigan

voyapon.com/japan-ballro...

An Introduction to Japan Ballroom Voyapon's LGBTQ columnist, Kat Joplin, documents the vibrant ballroom scene in Tokyo which welcomes everyone who accepts its world view.

Part 1 of my ballroom primer piece! A history of ballroom in Japan.

Features the photos many friends and colleagues I've been privileged to meet in the scene, thanks also to the excellent photographers including (but not limited to) Rino Ninja, J. Elle Harris, Shen Wei Hung, and Christopher Sy.

She Came from Outer Space: An Interview with Kosmic Sans, Tokyo’s Techno-Queen By Kat Joplin – I try to celebrate all kinds of femininity. I don’t tuck too much, I don’t need to proportionalize. It’s okay to be flat, to have no ass, no hips, to be a little masc! I want to show d...

Interview with Kosmic Sans, a beloved Tokyo drag queen, is now live on the Tulip Wolf Journal!

@kosmicsans.bsky.social
@tulip-wolf-journal.bsky.social

Shinjuku Ni-chome: Tokyo's Vibrant LGBTQ Hub Voyapon delves into Tokyo's wonderful Shinjuku Ni-chome area, a well-established hub for the capital's LGBTQ communities.

The first article in a new column I'm writing for Voyapon!
A primer for people new to Shinjuku Ni-chōme and Tokyo's other gay neighborhoods, featuring quotations by Don Cortez and bartender Yuna Sun, tons of photos by Michael Judd.
Excited to have the piece out!

voyapon.com/ni-chome-shi...

A furever friend: Tips for responsible dog ownership in Japan Owning a dog in Japan may seem daunting, but having these tools and tips in mind can ease your journey and bring you lots of joy.

New article up!!! Covering responsible dog ownership in Japan!

Special thanks to my dog owner interviewees Spencer Walther, Ice Elloso, Reyna Marquez, and Atsushi Fukumori

aw thanks Emily!!! I hope you like it!! ☺️☺️

HOMECOMING
✦ ISSUE 02 ✦
“In that sweaty, glowing night, I learned what it is to be Vietnamese and queer.”

An essay about visiting Saigon as a queer Vietnamese-American to attend the Nguyễn Huệ Kiki Ball 3

noonemag.com/products/iss...

Diva of dualities: Maria Seiren sings opera and noh in both a female and male voice The first-ever winner of talent show competition “Japan’s Got Talent” is having a stacked year with two noh and opera productions and her 10th anniversary album release.

Had an in-depth interview with dual-voiced opera diva, Maria Seiren! From her working combining Japanese Noh theater with Western opera, pop, and disco, to her victory in Japan's Got Talent 2023, Seiren has been shaking up the music world and pulling more interest to traditional arts.

#opera

One step at a time: trans community pushes for rights in Hong Kong Journalist Kat Joplin explores the recent change in Hong Kong's laws regarding gender recognition and how it impacts the trans community.

@gcnmag.bsky.social was kind enough to run my article on Hong Konger trans man and activist Henry Tse, with supporting interviews by Bella Vongvisitsin and Way Lam.

We discussed how the legal gender marker change and reformed ID policies will impact trans lives.

#transrights #hongkong

Donate to Riana’s Transition Surgery Fund, organized by Riana Plummer I’m reaching out for help with something deeply personal and incredibly important to me—… Riana Plummer needs your support for Riana’s Transition Surgery Fund

Let's go!!!!!
www.gofundme.com/f/rianas-tra...

Honey yellow and floral background with the text: But the world outside kept calling, and it was a fantastic and ridiculous place. People are strange and wonderful. There are days when I think, “God, I’m so glad I chose to stay. I wish you had too.” —Kat Joplin

Pawned summers & Billy Idol. Grooves pressed to vinyl & coconut rum. Tiger eyes & boys who smell like bonfires. A knowing smirk wrapped around a cigarette.

beestung #23 is here!

www.beestungmag.com

On Saturday, I had the honor of receiving the title Princess of Mizrahi’s Japan chapter.

Koppi has always believed in me, inviting me to join in November 2022. I don’t always feel deserving to be in a great ballroom house like Mizrahi, but being embraced by the house has meant the world to me.

“The money shot” 🏔️