June 1st marks the beginning of Pride Month, and it is a month designated to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community all over the world. Like Korea, other East and Southeast Asian countries are often oppressive towards the LGBTQ+ community because of traditional values and conservatism. Although it may seem difficult to show support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in a conservative country, there are still opportunities and events taking place around Korea in June to show your pride or support.
In Seoul, the 20th annual Queer Culture Festival will run from May 21st to June 9th. Thefestival boasts the slogan, “The 20th Fight for Rights,” as same-sex marriage is not legal in South Korea, and widespread discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community is still prevalent. On June 1st there will be a Seoul Queer Parade at the Seoul Plaza in front of the City Hall subway station. From June 5th to June 9th, Seoul will host a Queer Film Festival that showcases Korean LGBTQ+ films.
Daegu also hosts its own Queer Culture Festival, and is the only city in Korea besides Seoul to do so. Daegu’s Queer Culture Festival is held in late June at Dongseong Street, so if you miss Seoul’s Queer Culture Festival, you can check out Daegu. However, both Seoul and Daegu’s Queer Culture Festival attracts vehement anti-LGBTQ+ protestors, so proceed with caution when attending pro-LGBTQ+ events.
To experience the nightlife that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community, check out Itaewon’s Homo Hill. Homo Hill is closest to the Itaewon Station Exit 2, about a 5 minute walk after turning right off the main street. At Homo Hill, you’ll find other LGBTQ+ friendly establishments, such as a lesbian bar called Miracle, and a transgender bar called Alice. Another great LGBTQ+ bar is called Rabbithole Arcade Pub. Here, you can experience different events such as drag shows, which are shows that feature performers dressed up as the opposite sex in an exaggerated manner and lip-syncing and dancing to music. To get to the Rabbithole Arcade Pub, walk straight from the Noksapyeong Station Exit 2 and go to the left side street. Keep walking straight and you’ll see that Rabbithole is on the left side of the street across from Jacoby’s Burger.
As a George Mason University Korea (GMUK) student, there are multiple ways to stay involved with the LGBTQ+ community after Pride Month ends. Join the University of Utah Asia Campus and GMUK’s Queer Club, called Q-Dong, to participate in some events to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community. From May 13th to May 17th, Q-Dong hosted numerous activities that celebrated the LGBTQ+ community, such as a drag show and a prom night. On Facebook, there are multiple LGBTQ+ friendly pages such as the “Queer and Trans English-speakers in Korea” page that advertises different events happening to celebrate the community.
Alexa Bituin | Staff Writer
abituin@masonlive.gmu.edu
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