19th Seoul Queer Culture Festival held at Seoul Plaza
- 6 years ago
This weekend the Korean capital hosted the annual Seoul Queer Culture Festival.
It's the 19th edition of an event that's been getting bigger and bigger.
Much of the festival was about celebrating identity and fighting discrimination.
But there were also demonstrations against it.
Our Choi Si-young was there.
First held in 2000 and taking place in Seoul Plaza since 2015, this year's Seoul Queer Culture Festival drew thousands of visitors from Korea and beyond.
On display for the first time in Asia, the "Amsterdam Rainbow Dress" was the new attraction.
Made from the national flags of countries that criminalize homosexuality, the dress aims to raise awareness of the discrimination facing the LGBT community in the world.
When a country abolishes such laws, the flag is replaced with a rainbow flag.
Another first at this year's event is the presence of feminist motorcyclists called the "Rainbow Riders."
They spoke out against the male-dominated motorcycle culture.
They joined the highlight of the festival, the "Pride Parade," calling for equal rights and an end to sexuality-based discrimination.
"I came with a friend. I think there should be no discrimination. It's just a personal orientation."
Across the square, religious groups and anti-gay activists protested the festival and shouted slogans of condemnation.
They said the parade is obscene and corrupts the public place.
"We don't hate the LGBT community. We are here to rightfully inform young people of the various health risks associated with the lifestyle."
"Separated by this road, pro- and anti- LGBT activists are holding their respective rallies on the opposite sides of the street."
South Korea remains divided over its approach to LGBT issues,... and the differences are pronounced along generational lines.
The hope is that the rival views can find some middle ground in the near future.
Choi Si-young, Arirang News.
It's the 19th edition of an event that's been getting bigger and bigger.
Much of the festival was about celebrating identity and fighting discrimination.
But there were also demonstrations against it.
Our Choi Si-young was there.
First held in 2000 and taking place in Seoul Plaza since 2015, this year's Seoul Queer Culture Festival drew thousands of visitors from Korea and beyond.
On display for the first time in Asia, the "Amsterdam Rainbow Dress" was the new attraction.
Made from the national flags of countries that criminalize homosexuality, the dress aims to raise awareness of the discrimination facing the LGBT community in the world.
When a country abolishes such laws, the flag is replaced with a rainbow flag.
Another first at this year's event is the presence of feminist motorcyclists called the "Rainbow Riders."
They spoke out against the male-dominated motorcycle culture.
They joined the highlight of the festival, the "Pride Parade," calling for equal rights and an end to sexuality-based discrimination.
"I came with a friend. I think there should be no discrimination. It's just a personal orientation."
Across the square, religious groups and anti-gay activists protested the festival and shouted slogans of condemnation.
They said the parade is obscene and corrupts the public place.
"We don't hate the LGBT community. We are here to rightfully inform young people of the various health risks associated with the lifestyle."
"Separated by this road, pro- and anti- LGBT activists are holding their respective rallies on the opposite sides of the street."
South Korea remains divided over its approach to LGBT issues,... and the differences are pronounced along generational lines.
The hope is that the rival views can find some middle ground in the near future.
Choi Si-young, Arirang News.