Yukiya Terai exudes confidence in all facets of his life — from his sexuality to the flair he brings to the kitchen.
The 29-year-old caterer and chef, known for rainbow-colored comfort food that brightens the table, has had his artistic culinary creations featured in just about every mainstream fashion magazine in the country. However, his dishes aren't the only thing the media focuses on.
"Being known as the 'gay' chef doesn't bother me, but that's just me. I'm not one to hide," says Terai, whose good looks and public profile have made him a celebrity in his own right. However, he says coming out isn't always the answer, and the hidden suffering of people constrained from being their true selves by Japan's conservative, gay-shaming culture must not be ignored.