Tens of thousands gathered in central Seoul for the annual queer culture festival, filling streets with rainbow flags and performance groups in one of Asia’s biggest Pride events. A local university student who identifies as bisexual said she only shares her identity with accepting friends, noting the society does not feel fully safe. Despite the lack of basic legal safeguards for LGBTQ+ individuals and a stalled anti-discrimination bill in parliament for nearly 20 years, the atmosphere remained upbeat on Saturday. Parents of LGBTQ+ children offered free hugs to participants, some of whom became emotional. Many attendees cannot disclose their orientation to families in a country where homosexuality is not illegal but faces widespread stigma. Seoul Plaza has been unavailable for the event over the past four years under the current mayor, who has stated opposition to homosexuality and questioned the suitability of the main square for Pride. The festival instead took place at an alternate site lined with booths from civil society organizations, university groups, and foreign embassies including Britain’s. One regular participant, a filmmaker, described the day as the main occasion when people can openly express themselves, contrasting it with earlier years when many hid their identities. A recent court decision recognized a same-sex couple’s shared life and finances as a protected union, though same-sex marriage remains unrecognized. Conservative Protestant groups, though a minority, have strongly influenced the blocking of anti-discrimination legislation that would cover LGBTQ+ people along with other groups. The government recently included groundwork for such a law among national policy priorities. A queer artist and activist noted that while Korean entertainment exports portray queer themes abroad, domestic discussion stays limited. Nearby, counter-protesters held a separate demonstration with religious music and signs labeling homosexuality as wrong. Participants urged lawmakers to stop ignoring minority concerns and pass the anti-discrimination measure.
