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The man whose Big Gay Rainbow speech brought Parliament to fits of laughter during the debate on marriage equality here has suddenly become a viral sensation in Japan.

The speech is getting a second wind of life thanks to a user on Twitter who posted a link to Maurice Williamson’s speech in response to Japanese politician Wataru Takeshita stating that same-sex partners of state guests shouldn’t dine with Japanese royalty. 

The tweet, in Japanese, reads: “The speech was praised in the world at that time. For young people who do not know” and was posted by @bulldog_noh8.

It’s now been retweeted over 172,000 times.

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Williamson’s has since tweeted “I am so happy to see such a huge increase in the number of new followers in the last few hours – many of them coming from Japan.

“I don’t know what’s driving it but I’m delighted. For the record: My oldest son Simon Kenya is half Japanese so I’m proud of the association. Welcome.”

Same-sex marriage isn’t currently legal in Japan.

In case you can’t remember, here’s the viral speech:

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