World

Thousands Gather In South Korea To Celebrate Pride Despite Venue Ban

Tens of thousands of LGBTQ South Koreans and allies congregated in central Seoul on Saturday for annual Pride celebrations, despite officials banning the event’s traditional venue for the second consecutive year in a row.

Same-sex marriage is still illegal in Asia’s fourth-largest economy, and activists have long advocated for legislation that outlaws sexual orientation discrimination.

This year’s Pride Parade, which celebrates its 25th anniversary and is one of Asia’s largest, was denied permission to congregate in Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall, where the main festivities have traditionally been held.

Seoul’s conservative mayor, Oh Se-hoon, has stated that he ‘personally can’t agree with homosexuality’, but municipal officials cited the area had already been allocated for an outdoor event themed around books.

Instead, it took place in the streets in central Seoul, with enterprises and organizations such as the US embassy, IKEA, and Amnesty International showing their support.

Areas surrounding Seoul’s major thoroughfares Namdaemun-ro and Ujeongguk-ro were packed with delighted participants dressed in rainbow-themed costumes and make-up, some blowing bubbles, and many waving orange balloons, the theme color for this year’s edition.

In a statement, organizers stated, “The color range symbolizes an intermediary quality between red and yellow. It doesn’t belong anywhere but exists independently, … akin to our queer way of being”.

According to the Pride organizers, three other venues managed by the Seoul city government, including the Seoul Museum of History, were also barred from hosting side events owing to causing social conflict.

Evangelical Christian groups have frequently targeted LGBTQ celebrations, throwing water bottles, verbally abusing Pride marchers, and attempting to block their route by lying down in the street in the past.

Just a few hundred metres away from the festival’s main streets, Christian protesters raised signs saying ‘No!! Same-sex Marriage’ and ‘The country built with blood and sweat is collapsing due to homosexuality’.

Also read: Houthis Target US Carrier In Red Sea Following US & UK Deadly Raids On Yemen

Spriha Rai

Recent Posts

PM Modi’s Gifts: A Glimpse Of India’s Cultural Heritage In Global Diplomacy

These gifts to world leaders reflect the diverse traditions, arts, and crafts of India, emphasizing…

37 minutes ago

Dr Rajeshwar Singh Calls For Bold Goals To Make India A Global Power By 2047

Dr Singh stressed the importance of reaching a GDP of $15 trillion by 2047 to…

1 hour ago

Gautam Adani Faces Indictment In US: Legal Expert Vijay Aggarwal Dismisses Immediate Repercussions

Criminal lawyer Vijay Aggarwal weighed in on the charges against Adani. He believes the indictment…

1 hour ago

Adani Group Stocks Recover As Sensex nd Nifty Post Gains

After a major sell-off earlier in the week, Adani Group stocks, led by Ambuja Cements…

3 hours ago

Sensex Soars 1,961 Points, Nifty Gains 557 In Broad-Based Market Rally

A sharp rally in financial stocks and encouraging US labor market data fueled the uptrend.…

3 hours ago

PM Modi Engages In 31 Bilateral Meetings During Three-Nation Tour

PM Narendra Modi held 31 bilateral meetings and discussions during his visit to Nigeria, Brazil,…

3 hours ago