A Straight Reporter Ventures on a One-Man Gay Rights Demonstration in Korea

[Mr. Squirrel Princess]

This is Gwak Hui-yang, a reporter with The Kyunghyang Shinmun. Recently I carried out a solo demonstration carrying a picket sign for 2~3 hours at three locations in downtown Seoul. The sign read, "I am gay. Gays have the right to live just like you. Enact the Anti-Discrimination Act."

I did this because I wanted to hear the diverse views Koreans held on sexual minorities. The Kyunghyang Shinmun consulted four sexual minority groups to see if a heterosexual reporter demonstrating disguised as a gay would cause any problems.

The groups asked us not to think that the experience during the few hours of protest equals the discrimination actually experienced by sexual minorities. May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia. The Anti-Discrimination Act, which includes provisions against the discrimination of homosexuals, was withdrawn from the National Assembly.

* "Not in Front of Our Church." (May 5, in front a large church in Jung-gu)

It was a Sunday. When I held up the sign, a man in his sixties approached me. He aggressively said, "What's that? What have you written here? I'll call the police." Some members of the congregation said, "Gay? Right," and laughed. A person from the church came and pushed me out the gate.

I moved to a spot 7~8 meters from the main gate. The eyes of hundreds of Christians who had attended the service focused on me as they poured out of the church. Seven to eight people snapped, "Why are you doing this in front of our church? Go somewhere else."

One person who wore a vest with the word "volunteer" talked in what seemed like a deliberately loud voice, "Who likes gays? His mother probably ate seaweed soup, too, happy with the birth of a son. He's driving a nail into his parents' hearts." At those words, another member of the church said, "I doubt he even thinks of his parents. Leave him alone."

There were those who tried to persuade me with soft words. A woman in her fifties said, "Believe in Jesus. Then you'll understand why we are against it [homosexuality]." A man in his fifties said, "When it comes to love, we are all precious children, but we are gathered here because of a faith in the Bible, which states a principle of creation of both men and women. Please go elsewhere."

The church members cheerfully laughed as they greeted each other. But that laughter sounded like the happiness from a world, which had nothing to do with me. Vaguely, I thought perhaps sexual minorities went through their whole lives feeling this way.

* "I Really Understand." (May 7, the Hapjeong Station intersection)

Mapo-gu Rainbow Solidarity, a sexual minority group, once tried to hang a banner with the words, "One out of Ten People Walking by This Place at This Moment Is a Sexual Minority," at the crossroads above Hapjeong Station, but the Mapo-gu Office refused to grant them permission.

When I stood there holding my picket sign, many citizens eyed the sign as they quickly crossed the street, but as they approached they turned their eyes away. However, there was no one who made threats. One woman in her thirties looked at me and held up her fist cheering me on.

I answered with a smile. It was the first welcome I had received. An hour later, a woman in her twenties stopped and turned back towards me. She said, "My friend is gay, too. I really understand." That choked me up a bit. Another woman in her twenties said, "You must be having a tough time. Hang in there!" and passed me a plastic bag.

Inside the bag, there was some bread and a drink. I thought, "Well, there are still people who are on my side." Tears welled in my eyes at the consolation I felt. This day, these three were the only people who showed any response to my demonstration among the 200~300 people who passed by eyeing my picket sign.

* "Don't Other Countries Allow Same-sex Marriages?" (May 9, in front of the Mapo-gu Office)

I held the picket sign and stood in front of the entrance to the Mapo-gu Office, which had denied permission to hang a placard concerning sexual minorities. It drizzled that day. Public officials and people there to submit civil complaints slightly raised their umbrellas and looked at the sign.

Most seemed indifferent and turned their heads. The local government office did not interrupt my demonstration. After about 20 minutes, a woman in her twenties approached. She said, "I don't know if you'll have a chance to have these, but..." and passed me some walnut biscuits and a hot cup of coffee.

My heart felt much warmer than my hands, which received the steaming cup of coffee. When I thanked her, she cheered me on saying, "Hang in there." A woman in her thirties also cheered me with a smile as she folded her umbrella. A man who passed by talking on his cell phone gave me a thumbs up.

A man wearing a suit and a hat, who appeared to be in his sixties, stared at the picket sign for a long time. He said, "France allowed that [same-sex marriage]. But do you really want to do that [have a homosexual relationship]?" When I asked him if he thought homosexuality was bad, he answered, "Oh, no," and went his way.

A man who appeared to be in his fifties also said, "Other countries permit that." A man passing by in an electric wheelchair looked at the sign and said, "That's not good. Not good." But when his eyes met mine, he greeted me with a broad smile.

During the three days, most people were indifferent to my one-man demonstration. Some scorned and criticized me. But I was able to feel the sympathy of the citizens who supported and cheered sexual minorities.
 
http://english.khan.co.kr/khan_art_view.html?artid=201305161459537&code=710100

[kissxkiss_baby]

All alone? What courage tbh, couldn't see myself doing that at all

[Suga]

The old guy that said being gay wasn't bad gives me hope. I wouldn't have expected an elder person to say it in Korea tbh.

[Hero Kim Jaejoong]

I don't think it was right for him to go in front of church to do that.

 

 

I Know I will get minus for saying this. How is it any different from going in front a gay bar hold up sign with "Jesus don't like homosexuals?". Respect others likes and dislikes.

[fuckJohnny]

He is amazing. Much respect for what he did.

 

There is always light at the end of the tunnel. 

[mglsts]

Interesting. It's nice that some people cheered him on. If only more people showed their support publicly, things would probably change.

[Mr. Squirrel Princess]

I don't think it was right for him to go in front of church to do that.

 

[kinjiki]

LOL Westerners and missionaries with their Christianity totally brainwashed East Asia against homosexuality. 

[Your Juan and only]

I don't think it was right for him to go in front of church to do that.

I sort of agree with this only because it would have been nice to see different reactions outside the church.

 

But it was great what he did and a small number of ppl giving some courage and comfort.

[Delincious]

I sort of agree with this only because it would have been nice to see different reactions outside the church.

 

But it was great what he did and a small number of ppl giving some courage and comfort.

He did go to other places after though

[Ureshige]

I admire his bravery.

[Special*]

Well why is he doing it in front of a church?

 

I don't think it was right for him to go in front of church to do that.

 

 

I Know I will get minus for saying this. How is it any different from going in front a gay bar hold up sign with "Jesus don't like homosexuals?". Respect others likes and dislikes.

 

Agreed. That's just disrespectful. No matter how you look at it, it's just another greedy reporter looking for some juicy news.

[gno]

He has a lot of courage. Before I even read the church part I already knew he was going to get bad reactions

 

I'm surprised there was no mention of how young men reacted to this tho....there were some young women but no young men....

[Hero Kim Jaejoong]

Well why is he doing it in front of a church?

 

 

Agreed. That's just disrespectful. No matter how you look at it, it's just another greedy reporter looking for some juicy news.

That is what he was doing.

 

 

I just don't understand. How some homosexuals don't find it disrespectful. If you want people outside of your place holding up signs against your lifestyle why would you do the same thing?

[Jezebel]

I don't think it was right for him to go in front of church to do that.

 

 

I Know I will get minus for saying this. How is it any different from going in front a gay bar hold up sign with "Jesus don't like homosexuals?". Respect others likes and dislikes.

It would be one thing if he were more aggressive, but the Bible encourages churches to be welcoming of people with differing opinions. If you read any of Paul's letters to the Church in Corinth (the Corinthians), he mentions it in there, though it is also scattered throughout the Bible in many places.

 

Saying "Jesus doesn't like homosexuals" is damnation (a sin in the Christian faith) and meant to be purely offensive. There is no excuse for being that aggressive with your words.

[Hero Kim Jaejoong]

It would be one thing if he were more aggressive, but the Bible encourages churches to be welcoming of people with differing opinions. If you read any of Paul's letters to the Church in Corinth (the Corinthians), he mentions it in there, though it is also scattered throughout the Bible in many places.

 

Saying "Jesus doesn't like homosexuals" is damnation (a sin in the Christian faith) and meant to be purely offensive. There is no excuse for being that aggressive with your words.

It's no excuse for him to stand in front of church knowing he will get that kind of reaction just like if someone would in front of gay bar. People need to know when to draw line and that is why there will always be conflicted because people don't want to respect each other but demand respect. There is a time and a place for everything and in front of churches and gay bars isn't the place. We both should respect each others lifestyle.

[Jezebel]

It's no excuse for him to stand in front of church knowing he will get that kind of reaction just like if someone would in front of gay. People need to know when to draw line and that is why their will always be conflicted because people don't want to respect each other but demand respect. There is time and place for everything and in front of churches and gay bays isn't the place. We both should respect each others lifestyle.

First of all, a church and a gay bar are terrible choices for an analogy. Gay people do not go to bars to worship and churchgoers do not go to church to revel in nightlife. Also, Christians generally attend church regularly. By assuming that a gay bar is to gays what a church is to Christians, you're insinuating that all gay people go to bars on a regular basis, which is an offensive stereotype.

 

Back on topic, the church is supposed to invite people of different beliefs and faiths there. That's what the Great Commission is all about. If he came and held up a sign that said "Your religion is evil." or something like that, that would be completely out-of-place and offensive. His sign is against discrimination, a belief the church is SUPPOSED to support according to the Bible, and I don't see how it places blame on the church. What are you so offended by?

[TheGentleman]

I don't think it was right for him to go in front of church to do that.

 

 

I Know I will get minus for saying this. How is it any different from going in front a gay bar hold up sign with "Jesus don't like homosexuals?". Respect others likes and dislikes.

How is "I am gay. Gays have the right to live just like you. Enact the Anti-Discrimination Act." and "Jesus don't like homosexuals" the same thing?

 

One is asking for people to be treated the same. The other is about a guy from a book hating on a certain group of people and because he hated them, all other people should hate them too.

 

And I'll respect other people's likes and dislikes when LGBT kids are no longer kicked out of their homes or beaten up by their Christian parents, thank you very much.

[Hero Kim Jaejoong]

First of all, a church and a gay bar are terrible choices for an analogy. Gay people do not go to bars to worship and churchgoers do not go to church to revel in nightlife. Also, Christians generally attend church regularly. By assuming that a gay bar is to gays what a church is to Christians, you're insinuating that all gay people go to bars on a regular basis, which is an offensive stereotype.

 

Back on topic, the church is supposed to invite people of different beliefs and faiths there. That's what the Great Commission is all about. If he came and held up a sign that said "Your religion is evil." or something like that, that would be completely out-of-place and offensive. His sign is against discrimination, a belief the church is SUPPOSED to support according to the Bible, and I don't see how it places blame on the church. What are you so offended by?

Nobody is saying all gay people go to gay bars. I am using as a example of people going out and purpose starting a problem.

 

Different churches are for different belief because all beliefs are not the same thing. He is not standing there for understand or to learn someone belief he is standing there on purpose for a reaction for a story. It's a differents.

[Mr. Squirrel Princess]

Well why is he doing it in front of a church?

 

 

Agreed. That's just disrespectful. No matter how you look at it, it's just another greedy reporter looking for some juicy news.

 

how is it disrespectful? he is on a sidewalk which is public property. it's not like he barged in the church holding the sign?

 

 

 

That is what he was doing.

 

 

I just don't understand. How some homosexuals don't find it disrespectful. If you want people outside of your place holding up signs against your lifestyle why would you do the same thing?

 

 

the thing is yes both are opinions but both aren't weighted equally. there is a difference between someone protesting something that is unjust and someone promoting bigotry

 

 

 

It's no excuse for him to stand in front of church knowing he will get that kind of reaction just like if someone would in front of gay bar. People need to know when to draw line and that is why there will always be conflicted because people don't want to respect each other but demand respect. There is a time and a place for everything and in front of churches and gay bars isn't the place. We both should respect each others lifestyle.

 

idk where this thought of that all opinions should be respected. no, not all opinions should be respected. some are harmful and should be challenged

[Special*]

how is it disrespectful? he is on a sidewalk which is public property. it's not like he barged in the church holding the sign?

Open your eyes if you think there are such things as coincidences. He went to the place he's most likely to get a reaction. Just so you can say shit like, "how brave".

[Jezebel]

How is "I am gay. Gays have the right to live just like you. Enact the Anti-Discrimination Act." and "Jesus don't like homosexuals" the same thing?

 

One is asking for people to be treated the same. The other is about a guy from a book hating on a certain group of people and because he hated them, all other people should hate them too.

 

And I'll respect other people's likes and dislikes when LGBT kids are no longer kicked out of their homes or beaten up by their Christian parents, thank you very much.

Two things: it's offensive to say Jesus hated anybody (the entire purpose of the Bible is the exact opposite of that message) and in the English language, you capitalize pronouns when they refer to any part of the Holy Trinity (God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit).

 

And gay people are far from perfect, as well. Respect is individually-based, not something you can dole out based on stereotypes you use for an entire group of people.

Nobody is saying all gay people go to gay bars. I am using as a example of people going out and purpose starting a problem.

 

Different churches are for different belief because all beliefs are not the same thing. He is not standing there for understand or to learn someone belief he is standing there on purpose for a reaction for a story. It's a differents.

The Bible is the same in every different Christian denomination, except Catholicism and their inclusion of the Book of Maccabees. Christians are never allowed to hate people and are supposed to stand for the equal treatment of all people. If a church does, then they have no affiliation with the Christian religion and are an embarrassment to the faith (i.e. Westboro "Baptist" Church). It's perfectly fine for Christians to not approve of homosexuality (though I don't support that view), but it is theologically wrong for Christians to stand against anti-discrimination. Ironically, the term "Christian" was a form of discrimination, comparable to the term "fag," that was adopted in an ironic way to show resilience and anti-discrimination support. I don't see how you can ague that anti-discrimination signs had no place at a church. 

[Hero Kim Jaejoong]

Let's agree to disagree about this because I will never see eye with people on this site.

[Special*]

Let's agree to disagree about this because I will never see eye with people on this site.

 

People just need to be sceptical sometimes, the disrespect is not something you need examples for, the point is that somewhere you should question a person's motives.

[Jezebel]

Let's agree to disagree about this because I will never see eye with people on this site.

I don't see what there is to disagree about. What the guy did is inoffensive. Yes, he picked a place where sadly you'd expect the most negative and hateful reactions, but Christian churches believe in inviting these people to their services and sharing their beliefs with them. But if you don't want to talk about it any further, then that is fine.