Scale and Atmosphere
Seoul's annual queer culture festival took place on Saturday, drawing tens of thousands of participants to the city center in one of Asia's largest Pride gatherings. Rainbow flags and drumming troupes filled the streets throughout the event.
The atmosphere was celebratory. A group of parents of LGBTQ+ children offered free hugs to attendees, some of whom were visibly moved. Many participants have not disclosed their sexual orientation to their own families, reflecting the degree of social stigma that persists despite homosexuality not being illegal in South Korea. Lee Seo-hee, a university student from Seoul who identifies as bisexual, said she only tells friends she believes will be accepting, adding that it does not feel like a completely safe society.
Venue Dispute and Legal Context
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who has publicly stated he cannot support homosexuality and that holding Pride at the city's main square is "not desirable," has kept Seoul Plaza — the festival's home for nearly a decade — closed to the event for the past four years. The conservative mayor was re-elected earlier this month. The festival was held at an alternative location, with booths representing civil society groups, university clubs, and diplomatic missions including the British Embassy.
South Korean law does not criminalize homosexuality, but a comprehensive anti-discrimination bill — which would protect LGBTQ+ people, women, people with disabilities, and racial minorities — has been stalled in parliament for nearly two decades.
Days before the festival, a Seoul court ruled that a same-sex couple who had shared their lives and finances constituted a legally protected union, a decision seen as a rare judicial step forward.
Political and Social Background
South Korea's conservative Protestant community, which represents roughly one-fifth of the population, has played a significant role in blocking the anti-discrimination bill. Last month, the administration of President Lee Jae-myung quietly listed laying the groundwork for such legislation among its national policy tasks.
A counter-protest took place nearby, with trucks broadcasting hymns and banners condemning homosexuality.
Voices from the Festival
Seoul-based filmmaker Jay Park said Pride is the one time of year people feel they can truly show who they are, noting that just a few years ago many attendees covered their faces for fear of being recognized. Queer artist and activist Heezy Yang observed that South Korean pop culture exports queerness to the world through film, music, and drama, while the topic is largely silenced domestically — including by Korean companies that sponsor Pride events abroad but remain silent on LGBTQ+ rights at home.
Asian Editorial Department: Lu Junxiu