Seoul’s LGBT community gathers for annual festival after liberal president elected
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City authorities repeatedly denied venue clearance requests for 2024's festival before eventually giving their approval.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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SEOUL - The annual Seoul Queer Culture Festival was held in the South Korean capital on June 14 after the country ushered in a new liberal president, though it faced concurrent protests against the LGBTQ+ community's pride celebrations.
While the community has made some advances towards broader acceptance in Korean society, conservative religious groups still mount resistance to efforts to pass laws against discrimination, and there is no legal acknowledgement of LGBTQ+ partnerships.
The city authorities repeatedly denied venue clearance requests for 2024's festival before eventually giving their approval.
“The slogan for the 26th Seoul Queer Culture Festival is that we never stop,” said its chief organiser Hwang Chae-yoo.
“During the last… administration, hate against homosexuality and LGBTQ+ became very strong, leading to government policies that often ignored LGBTQ+ people. That’s why we expressed our will to never give up until the end, and make efforts to improve human rights,” he said.
South Korea elected liberal President Lee Jae-myung earlier in June in a snap election, after conservative predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted following his impeachment.
While Mr Lee has not explicitly stated his positions on LGBTQ+ issues during the campaign, his election has led to optimism among some in the community that conditions could improve.
Under blue skies and temperatures reaching 31 deg C, festival turnout was brisk with people, some carrying rainbow flags, milling about booths including those set up by LGBTQ+ organisations, embassies and university clubs.
From 4.30pm, participants marched through the streets of Seoul, calling for improved human rights and self-esteem for LGBTQ+ people. The event's organisers said 30,000 people were taking part, though police put their estimate at around 7,000.
A protest against the Queer Culture Festival was also held in a nearby location in central Seoul on June 14. Participants held blue and pink signs with phrases such as “Homosexuality Stop” and “Destroys Families”. There was no clash.
“It’s changed a lot compared with the old days, but most people are still like, ‘we know you exist, but don’t come out’,” said 44-year-old festival participant Hong Il-pyo, who was dressed in drag.
“I hope we can make a little progress and change to ‘you exist, so let’s live well together.’” REUTERS
