Tens of thousands of LGBTQ South Koreans and their supporters yesterday gathered in central Seoul for annual Pride celebrations, despite the event’s traditional venue being banned by authorities for the second consecutive year.
Same-sex marriage remains unrecognized in Asia’s fourth-largest economy, and advocates have long emphasized the need for legislation outlawing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
This year’s Pride Parade, marking its 25th anniversary and one of the largest in Asia, was denied permission to gather at the Seoul Plaza in front of city hall, where the main festivities have traditionally been held.
Photo: Reuters
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has said he “personally can’t agree with homosexuality,” but municipal authorities blamed a scheduling conflict and said the venue had already been reserved for an outdoor event themed around books.
It instead took place in the streets in central Seoul, with companies and organizations including the US embassy, IKEA and Amnesty International participating to show support.
Areas surrounding Seoul’s major thoroughfares Namdaemun-ro and Ujeongguk-ro were packed with excited participants wearing rainbow-themed costumes and makeup, some blowing bubbles and many waving orange balloons — the theme color for this year’s edition.
Pride organizers said that three other venues managed by the Seoul City Government, including the Seoul Museum of History, were also prohibited from being used for side events due to “causing social conflict.”
The authorities’ decision was “nonsensical,” but it does not diminish the pride that LGBTQ individuals feel for the annual event, participant Na Joo-youn said.
“I’m openly queer, which means I often have to fight for what I believe, which sometimes makes it hard to live as myself,” Na, 26, said. “Today, I get to enjoy being myself. Those who oppose the Pride Parade have been around for a long time, but whatever they do or say, they cannot erase our existence.”
Nearly one-quarter of South Korea’s 52 million population is Christian and churches remain a significant political arena, particularly for legislators.
In addition to the festival still facing difficulties in securing venues, attempts to pass laws banning discrimination on the basis of sexuality have languished since about 2007, with lawmakers coming under pressure from conservative and religious organizations.
“It would not be an exaggeration to say that the human rights of sexual minorities in South Korean society are regressing, [rather than meeting] the global standards,” said Hyeonju, one of the festival’s organizers.
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