In a recent development, the Seoul Queer Culture Festival, South Korea’s largest annual LGBT event, has been effectively prevented from taking place outside the city hall this year. Instead, the city government granted a permit for a Christian youth concert, leaving the LGBT community disappointed and frustrated.
The Seoul Queer Culture Festival has long been a symbol of the ongoing struggle for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer rights in a country where same-sex marriage remains unrecognized and efforts to enact anti-discrimination laws face strong opposition from conservative religious groups and others.
For years, clashes between the festival’s organizers and religious groups have ensued as they vie for permission to hold their respective events in downtown Seoul on July 1. Since 2015, the festival has taken place in front of the city hall, with the exceptions of 2020 and 2021 due to pandemic restrictions that prohibited any gatherings.
Yang Sun-woo, the chief organizer of the Seoul Queer Culture Festival, expressed disappointment, stating, “Each year, we struggle to secure a venue to hold the event.” This decision by the city government is seen as an act of discrimination, further highlighting the challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in South Korea.
Simultaneously, a concert catering to young people will now occupy the space outside the city hall on the same day. The event is organized by the CTS Cultural Foundation, an organization affiliated with the local Christian broadcaster CTS, which has been vocal in its opposition to homosexuality and the festival itself.
While a representative from the CTS Cultural Foundation denies that the concert’s timing aimed to block the LGBT festival, the controversy persists. The Seoul city government has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding this matter.
The decision regarding the use of the space was made by a citizen council, which includes members from the city council. Both the LGBT festival and the Christian youth concert had submitted requests to utilize the venue on the same day, ultimately resulting in the council’s ruling.
Since 2015, the Seoul Queer Culture Festival has attracted thousands of attendees each summer in downtown Seoul, garnering support from human rights groups, university clubs, and foreign embassies. However, the event has also routinely faced protests, often necessitating a strong police presence.
Despite the setback this year, the resilient LGBTQ community in Seoul remains committed to advocating for their rights and fighting against discrimination, aiming to create a more inclusive society for all.