Latest news with #SeoulQueerCultureFestival
Korea Herald
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Thousands take to streets to claim LGBTQ+ rights in Seoul
Christian groups hold 'counter rallies' in protest; no reports of altercations between groups Politicians, farmers, foreign envoys, celebrities, civic groups and Koreans from a wide range of groups across the country joined in as the 26th annual Seoul Queer Culture Festival took place in the heart of the city on Saturday. Jung-gu, central Seoul, was packed with festival participants clad in rainbow-colored garments and flags as some 70 promotional booths were set up in streets usually filled with cars. The event culminated with a pride parade from Jonggak Station to Euljiro-1-ga Station, passing city landmarks including the Myeongdong Cathedral and Seoul Square. They hoisted signs with this year's slogan "We will not stop." While Catholic teaching in principal does not condone sex-same relationships, late Pope Francis in 2023 officially gave the go-ahead for priests to bless such couples. The parade encountered a large-scale protest against the queer parade, particularly members of Christian communities who blasted gospel songs and held up signs that said, "Same-sex relationship is sin! God will judge!" Police were dispatched adjacent to the protests to prevent possible altercations between the two groups, but no conflicts occurred outside of the jeers and boos. Groups show comradery As in previous years, embassies from major allies of Korea participated in this year's event, as did representatives of universities from across the country. Kwon Young-guk, the former presidential candidate of the minor Democratic Labor Party, made an appearance at the event to show his support. He was the only candidate in the June 3 election that publicly pledged legislation to ban discrimination on the basis of sexuality. Another notable celebrity at the scene was TV celebrity Hong Seok-cheon, the first openly-gay celebrity in Korea, who came out in 2000. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency had a booth in this year's Queer Festival for the first time, distributing promotional material on HIV prevention. Another group that had its first booth in the annual event was the National Union of Mediaworkers, which distributed guidelines on reporting issues related to the LGBTQ+ community. Human rights watchdog snubs invitation Despite the protest from those within and outside of the organization, the National Human Rights Commission boycotted the event, breaking a streak of consecutive participations since 2017. The NHRC said it wanted to retain neutrality, as it will not attend neither of the largest LGBTQ+ festivals in the country and the anti-homosexual demonstrations despite being invited to both events. The controversial move sparked protest, particularly since the incumbent chief of the NHRC Ahn Chang-ho had been subject to criticism over his comments against sexual minorities in the past. Rep. Seo Mi-hwa of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea had denounced the decision as "comedic." Regardless of the NHRC leadership's decision, an employee group of the agency operated a promotional booth at this year's event. Officials said it was to show that the human rights body's support for the sexual minority community. The NHRC chief Ahn was appointed under ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol, who had said in an interview that "gender discrimination on a structural level no longer exists." Yoon's senior presidential secretary Kim Seong-hoi had come under fire after describing homosexuality as "a type of mental disease," after which he had submitted his resignation. Lee had refrained from making direct pledges related to legislating the anti-discrimination law or stating his official position on the LGBTQ+ issue, although he said in a TV debate that it was "in the right direction." But his election win led to optimism that the LGBTQ+ human rights issues would likely improve during his election, at least compared to his conservative predecessor
The Star
19 hours 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
19 hours 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
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Rainbow pride and protest: Seoul hosts queer festival under new liberal president
SEOUL, June 14 — 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 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,' 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+ organisations, embassies and university clubs. From 4.30pm local time (3.30pm Malaysian time), 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 dog wears a rainbow skirt at the Seoul Queer Culture Festival. — Reuters pic 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
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Seoul's LGBT community gathers for annual festival after liberal president elected
SEOUL (Reuters) -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 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," 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+ organisations, 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 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 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.'"
