1/8
Tens of thousands of people attended Seoul’s annual Pride festival on Saturday, despite facing anti-LGBTQ protests. The event, which has been held since 2015, faced a setback when the Seoul metropolitan government denied access to the usual plaza and instead granted it to a Christian youth music festival. However, the LGBTQ community organizers condemned this decision as discriminatory.
Organizers of the Seoul Queer Culture Festival expressed their hopes for a better future in their opening remarks. They emphasized the importance of creating a world where everyone can live freely and happily.
Despite the scorching summer weather, the enthusiastic crowd marched through the revised downtown route, chanting slogans and enjoying the music from the floats. The parade attracted an estimated 35,000 participants. LGBTQ booths were set up along the nearby streets, and various Western embassies also showed their support, including the United States, Canada, Britain, and Germany.
Park Yeon-hee, a 26-year-old marcher, stated that she joined the parade to find a sense of community that is often challenging for LGBTQ individuals to find in everyday life in South Korea. She expressed optimism for the future but acknowledged that progress may take time in a country where sexual minorities face limited acceptance.
South Korean LGBTQ activists have long been advocating for more rights and visibility in a society that remains deeply conservative on social issues. Additionally, the lack of anti-discrimination laws and a same-sex marriage ban further adds to the challenges faced by sexual and gender minorities.
Protesters opposing LGBTQ rights, including same-sex marriage, were present at the festival in Seoul. They held signs and crosses, while one group declared homosexuality as a “mental illness.” These demonstrations highlight the ongoing struggle for acceptance and equality in South Korean society.
Mayor Oh Se-hoon, known for his conservative stance, has been criticized for favoring conservative Christian voters and not recognizing the majority’s support for LGBTQ rights.
Despite the obstacles, Kim Jin-yi, the founder of Parents and Families of LGBTAIQ People in Korea, remains hopeful for the future. He acknowledges the lack of understanding in society about sexual minorities but believes that progress will continue to be made.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
