Pride was banned but over 150,000 South Koreans still marched
June 4, 2024Over 150,000 LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies marched in the South Korea 2024 Pride parade, defying a ban imposed by authorities for the second consecutive year.
While over 35 countries, including Thailand which is nearing approval of the bill, have legalised same-sex marriage, South Korea has yet to recognise same-sex marriage or civil unions for its LGBTQ+ citizens.
Nonetheless, on June 1, the queer community and its supporters converged in Seoul to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the country’s Pride Parade in 2024, according to ‘MSN’.
Image Credit: Canva
Authorities had previously denied the parade organisers permission to gather at Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall, the traditional venue for the city’s annual festivities, citing a scheduling conflict with an outdoor book event.
Despite the lack of support from Seoul’s mayor, Oh Se-hoon, who stated that he “personally can’t agree with homosexuality,” hundreds of thousands of people still gathered in the streets of the capital.
Major roads, including Namdaemun-ro and Ujeongguk-ro, were packed with attendees donned in rainbow attire, with some waving orange balloons to signify this year’s theme.
“The colour range symbolizes an intermediary quality between red and yellow. It doesn’t belong anywhere but exists independently, akin to our queer way of being,” parade organisers explained in a statement.
Support came from various organisations, including the U.S.A. embassy, IKEA, and Amnesty International, which participated to show solidarity with the queer community.
Pride organisers claimed that three other venues managed by the Seoul city government, including the Seoul Museum of History, were also prohibited from hosting the event to avoid “causing social conflict.”
In nearby streets, Christian protesters opposed LGBTQ+ rights with signs reading: “No!! Same-sex Marriage” and “The country built with blood and sweat is collapsing due to homosexuality.”
Read related myGwork articles here:
South Korean Court Upholds Military “Sodomy” Law
South Korean Milestone As Married Lesbian Couple Welcomes First Child Via IVF
South Korea’s LGBTQ+ Festival Bumped From Venue In Favour Of Christian Youth Concert
In A First, A South Korean Court Says Same-Sex Partners Should Get Government Benefits
Keep up to date with the latest myGnews