{"id":2201040,"date":"2023-05-18T17:18:51","date_gmt":"2023-05-18T08:18:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2201040"},"modified":"2023-05-19T19:16:41","modified_gmt":"2023-05-19T10:16:41","slug":"the-dichotomy-of-pride-and-prejudice-south-koreas-lgbtq-struggle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/05\/the-dichotomy-of-pride-and-prejudice-south-koreas-lgbtq-struggle\/","title":{"rendered":"The dichotomy of pride and prejudice: South Korea\u2019s LGBTQ struggle"},"content":{"rendered":"
Within a short time, Seoul Pride has emerged as a vibrant, even dramatic, example of pride in diversity. My partner and I attended the events every year from 2018 to 2022. We joined in the march through the city \u2014 twice in the pouring rain \u2014 addressed large crowds from the stage and mixed with excited local attendees, most of them much younger than we.<\/span><\/p>\n Our initial exposure to Seoul Pride was a confronting, even scary, experience. The first year saw a seemingly larger contingent of protestors outside the city hall plaza \u2014 where the festival was based \u2014\u00a0 than participants inside. Their objections were expressed in banners, loud music and aggressive slogans.<\/span><\/p>\n A formidable police presence was required to keep the two groups apart. For our safety, several police officers escorted me and other ambassadors around the event venue \u2014 a rather shocking experience for a New Zealander.<\/span><\/p>\n In later years, the scales seemed to tip in favor of the participants, with the number of dissenters reducing. The atmosphere gradually turned more positive. During these gatherings, I met many inspiring young Koreans who openly shared their stories of everyday challenges in concealing their true selves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The visible international support at these events brought them immense relief and encouragement. We were not alone. New Zealand was among over a dozen nations from Europe, Oceania and North and South America whose diplomatic representatives provided visible support.<\/span><\/p>\n Given this backdrop, the Seoul City government\u2019s recent decision to deny the event\u2019s organizers permission to host the event at the plaza this year in favor of a Christian youth concert is disappointing.<\/span><\/p>\n While South Korea is hardly alone in grappling with these issues, its recent actions have placed it under an intensified international microscope, making it a subject of curiosity and critique.<\/span><\/p>\n This spotlight grows brighter as President Yoon Suk-yeol prepares to attend the upcoming G-7 Summit in Hiroshima later this week.<\/span><\/p>\n Even without Seoul City\u2019s recent decision, South Korea\u2019s handling of gender inclusivity has not put it in a favorable light. Notwithstanding the five-year tenure of former President Moon Jae-in\u2019s progressive administration, the ROK has seen only modest progress on LGBTQ issues.<\/span><\/p>\n A comprehensive anti-discrimination bill, which might have been a beacon of progress, has floundered in the National Assembly, apparently stymied by bipartisan concerns over the bill\u2019s recognition of <\/span>LGBTQ rights<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n In a nation where there is no legal guard against discrimination, no formal recognition of same-sex relationships, continued criminalization of homosexuality in the military and a majority of the public <\/span>unsympathetic<\/span><\/a> to LGBTQ issues, it is perhaps unsurprising that South Korea found itself ranked alongside Poland and Turkey at the bottom of a <\/span>2019 survey<\/span><\/a> of LGBTQ rights among the 38 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member states.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The survey gave South Korea an \u2018F\u2019 grade, suggesting that the country was, in effect, persecuting its rainbow community.<\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s not to say there haven\u2019t been any recent gains. Some high-profile court cases have led to small but significant victories. For instance, the case of trans soldier Byun Hui-su, who tragically ended her life after being dismissed from the military in 2020, saw her posthumously <\/span>reinstated<\/span><\/a> by a court the following year. Similarly, in April 2022, <\/span>another court ruling<\/span><\/a> managed to loosen \u2014 but did not end \u2014 the military\u2019s prohibition on homosexual acts.<\/span><\/p>\n