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The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thousands Seoul's LGBT community gathers for annual festival after liberal president elected
South Korea's LGBTQ community and supporters wave flags, as they attend a Pride parade, during the Seoul Queer Culture Festival, in Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. -- Photo: REUTERS/Kim Soo-hyeon SEOUL (AFP): Tens of thousands of LGBTQ South Koreans and supporters gathered in central Seoul for annual Pride celebrations on Saturday, with a central government agency represented for the first time. Same-sex marriage remains unrecognised in Asia's fourth-largest economy and activists have long emphasised the need for legislation outlawing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The parade, one of Asia's largest, is celebrating its 26th edition and went ahead after South Korea endured one of the worst political crises in its recent history. LGBTQ Koreans joined mass protests in recent months against ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid in December. Yoon, whose hardline evangelical supporters have long been hostile to sexual minorities, is now on trial for insurrection. "This year, amid growing political uncertainty, there was deep deliberation over whether to hold the event," organisers said in a statement. "Though the times may appear to be progressing, they have in many ways regressed... And yet, because of this, in spite of this... we will never stop living as our true selves." The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency joined the parade, the first central government body to do so. "We joined today's event as it draws many young people... making it an ideal (space) for public outreach on prevention," Hyun Jung-hee, a senior staff scientist, told AFP. Participants beamed beneath rainbow flags, some blowing bubbles with joy while others handed out colourful bouquets. Across the street, evangelical Christians shouted slogans such as "Homosexuality is a sin!" while performing a traditional Korean fan dance. One 29-year-old parade participant, who gave her nickname as Door, said the event opened her eyes to new possibilities. "All kinds of people come here. Some say, 'I don't think I'm queer, but I get them'," she told AFP. "Seeing that kind of diversity made me realise the world is bigger than I thought -- and that's why I keep coming back." - Reuters
GMA Network
a day ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Seoul's LGBT community gathers for annual festival after liberal president elected
People ride motorcycles as South Korea's LGBTQ community and supporters attend a Pride parade, during the Seoul Queer Culture Festival, in Seoul, South Korea, June 14, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Soo-hyeon SEOUL - The annual Seoul Queer Culture Festival was held in the South Korean capital on Saturday after the country ushered in a new liberal president, though it faced concurrent protests against the LGBT 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. City authorities repeatedly denied venue clearance requests for last year's festival before eventually giving their approval. "The slogan for the 26th Seoul Queer Culture Festival is that we never stop," said its chief organizer 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," Hwang said. South Korea elected liberal President Lee Jae-myung earlier this month in a snap election, after conservative predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted following his impeachment. While Lee has not explicitly stated his positions on LGBT 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 degrees Celsius (87.8 Fahrenheit), festival turnout was brisk with people, some carrying rainbow flags, milling about booths including those set up by LGBTQ+ organizations, embassies and university clubs. From 4:30 p.m. local time (0730 GMT), participants marched through the streets of Seoul, calling for improved human rights and self-esteem for LGBTQ+ people. The event's organizers 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 Saturday. 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 to 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
