"Promoting Homosexuality" vs "LGBTQ+ Rights" Anti-Discrimination Law, What Do You Think?

"Join Equality, Enact Anti-Discrimination Law for All" Urged
"Strong Opposition to Homosexual Protection Law That Destroys Family and Nation" Voices Also Raised

On the morning of the 2nd, participants including the Coalition for the Enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Act held hand placards with related content at the press conference for the '2020 Action Declaration for the Enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Act' held in front of the National Assembly. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] As the movement for the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Act (Equality Act) in the National Assembly gains momentum, conflicts over discrimination against sexual minorities are intensifying once again. Groups opposing this law are raising their voices, claiming it effectively promotes homosexuality and calling it a family-destruction law.

On the 29th of last month, the Justice Party held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, announcing the proposal of the Anti-Discrimination Act, which prohibits discrimination based on gender, disability, age, language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other grounds.

On that day, Lim Shin-gyu, Vice Chairperson of the Justice Party’s Sexual Minority Committee, stated, "On the 15th, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that employees cannot be dismissed because they are 'sexual minorities.'" He added, "In contrast, the reality in Korea is very different, and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is widespread."

He continued, "They should live as citizens who make up our society, not as targets of hatred, and should not be treated unfavorably or discriminated against simply because their sexual orientation is different."

However, some argue that this bill is unnecessary. On the 29th, in front of the National Assembly, representatives from groups including the Anti-Homosexual Christian Citizens Coalition held a press conference opposing the Anti-Discrimination Act.

They held placards reading "Firm Opposition to the Family-Destroying, Nation-Destroying Homosexual Protection Law" and "Withdraw the Proposal of the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act That Ruins Sons and Daughters," shouting their opposition to the bill.

The groups claimed, "Unlike the U.S. and Western Europe, our country has no history of persecuting or legally punishing homosexuals or sexual minorities," and "There is also no history of discriminating against or ethnically cleansing foreigners. Nevertheless, the National Human Rights Commission, some politicians, and intellectuals stubbornly adopt a victim narrative to reverse-discriminate the majority, consistently showing a servile mindset."

Amid voices opposing the Anti-Discrimination Act, a public opinion poll showed that support for the law is high.

According to a national perception survey conducted and announced by Realmeter, a professional polling agency, on the 23rd of last month at the request of the National Human Rights Commission, 88.5% of respondents supported legislating anti-discrimination measures. In the category of "sexual orientation and identity," 73.6% of respondents answered, "Sexual minorities should be respected and treated equally like others."

A 30-year-old office worker, Mr. A, who expressed support for the bill, said, "I believe discrimination is violence," adding, "I cannot be complacent just because I am not currently a target of discrimination; anyone can be discriminated against, so I have no choice but to support this law."

Another 30-year-old office worker, Mr. B, also said, "I don't understand why there is conflict over a law that prohibits discrimination," emphasizing, "I hope this bill passes as soon as possible so that much discrimination disappears."

Amid high public support for the Anti-Discrimination Act, on the 1st, the Korean Presbyterian Church General Assembly (Kijang) became the first Korean Protestant denomination to express support for the law.

Choi Hyung-mook, Chairperson of the Church and Society Committee of the Korean Presbyterian Church General Assembly, emphasized in a statement, "Discrimination must be prohibited for the equal life of all," and added, "Christians should first be able to treat sexual minorities and other minorities in our society with the heart of Christ."

Earlier, the Human Rights Center of the National Council of Churches in Korea also expressed "strong support and solidarity with the lawmakers who proposed the Anti-Discrimination Act and hopes that the comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act will be passed in the 21st National Assembly."

Meanwhile, the United Future Party is preparing a "limited Anti-Discrimination Act" excluding the contentious sexual orientation clause, so there are expectations of difficulties until the bill is passed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.