“Love always triumphs over hate”: Pride floods downtown Seoul with sea of rainbows

Posted on : 2022-07-18 17:13 KST Modified on : 2022-07-18 17:13 KST
The Seoul Queer Parade took place in person for the first time in 3 years on Saturday
Participants in this year’s SQCF unfurl a massive rainbow flag in Seoul Plaza on July 16. (Kim Myoung-jin/The Hankyoreh)
Participants in this year’s SQCF unfurl a massive rainbow flag in Seoul Plaza on July 16. (Kim Myoung-jin/The Hankyoreh)

Rainbows filled the plaza from left to right, depicted on face masks, bags, bracelets, fans, and umbrellas as well as on flags fluttering with the wind. Despite the sweltering heat, people wore cheerful and confident expressions that were evident despite the face masks covering them.

The slogan for the Seoul Queer Parade that took place at Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall on Saturday was “Let’s Live, Be Together, and Move Forward.” It was the first Seoul Queer Parade in three years, since 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Booths were set up and welcome performances and a march were organized for the festivities.

Hyeon Yu-jin, 24, whom the Hankyoreh met at the plaza, shared, “I think back to the copy written on a badge I bought at a booth at the 2018 Queer Parade. It read, ‘Love always triumphs over hate.’ I want to tell queer people to withstand the torrent of hate speech from society by thinking back to this expression.”

Lee Jeong-eun, 20, who stood at the plaza wearing a rainbow outfit, said, “At the subway, I felt needlessly self-conscious of other people’s looks because of how conspicuous my outfit is, but as soon as I entered the plaza, I could stand tall.”

Philip Goldberg, the new US ambassador to South Korea who began his post on July 10, made an appearance during the celebratory performances that began at 2 pm, drawing attention. Goldberg attended the Seoul Queer Parade as his first weekend engagement.

“We simply cannot leave any of you behind. We’re going to fight with you for equality and human rights,” he said.

People crowd Seoul Plaza on July 16 for the SQCF. (Kim Myoung-jin/The Hankyoreh)
People crowd Seoul Plaza on July 16 for the SQCF. (Kim Myoung-jin/The Hankyoreh)

Across from the plaza, in front of the Seoul City Council building, a protest against Pride took place. Participants in the protest, who mainly hailed from religious and conservative groups, hurled hate speech targeting sexual minorities toward the plaza.

Meanwhile, people of faith the Hankyoreh met within the plaza stressed the spirit of tolerance and equality. A Buddhist monk named Haedo commented, “Seeing people who had to hide their identity, I thought, ‘What a tragedy.’ This festival is an educational site where none are rejected and all can get along.”

One 24-year-old Pride-goer who attends a seminary said, “I think the essence of Christianity is the belief that all people are equal.”

The parade, considered the highlight of such LGBTQ Pride festivals, began with heavy rain around 4:20 pm. A downpour accompanied the entire parade that spanned 3.8 kilometers, from Seoul Plaza to Jongno, Euljiro and Myeongdong.

Participants in the Seoul Queer Parade march down the streets of downtown Seoul on July 16 amid heavy rainfall. (Kim Myoung-jin/The Hankyoreh)
Participants in the Seoul Queer Parade march down the streets of downtown Seoul on July 16 amid heavy rainfall. (Kim Myoung-jin/The Hankyoreh)

Jin Ha-young, 30, said, “It was so hot during the last festival, but I’m so happy it rained during this year’s long-awaited parade. I felt free.”

The Seoul Queer Culture Festival’s organizing committee stated that roughly 135,000 citizens took part in this year’s parade.

By Kwak Jin-san, staff reporter; Kim Hyo-sil, staff reporter; Lee Jeong-yeon, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]

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