Torn 'Anti-LGBTQ+ Discrimination' Advertisement... Discrimination and Hate Against Sexual Minorities Persist

Shinchon Station's 'Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination' Advertisement Vandalized After Two Days
Discrimination, Hate, and Exclusion Against LGBTQ Remain in Korean Society
Urgent Need for Legislation to Protect LGBTQ Rights

A netizen transformed the subway advertisement opposing discrimination against sexual minorities, which was vandalized just two days after being posted, into a photo with the message "Sexual minorities will overcome your hatred." This photo is rapidly spreading online. Photo by Twitter capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Two days after the 'Anti-Discrimination Against Sexual Minorities' advertisement was posted at Sinchon Station on Seoul Subway Line 2, it was found vandalized, raising concerns about discrimination and hate speech against sexual minorities.

Although awareness of respecting and protecting the human rights of minorities is spreading, criticism is being raised that prejudice and discrimination against sexual minorities still persist in Korean society. There is an urgent call for legislation to protect the human rights of sexual minorities and to ensure safe social and cultural activities.

According to Sexual Minority Discrimination Opposing Rainbow Action (Rainbow Action), on the morning of the 2nd, an advertisement board at Sinchon Station on Seoul Subway Line 2 with the message "Sexual minorities are in your daily life" was found vandalized. The advertisement was cut with a knife and torn, making it unrecognizable.

This advertisement was planned by Rainbow Action and other sexual minority human rights organizations to commemorate the "International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia" (IDAHOBIT, May 17) and was unveiled on the 31st of last month, scheduled to be displayed throughout August.

In response, Rainbow Action issued a statement on the same day, saying, "The severe vandalism to the point where the shape is unrecognizable is tantamount to threatening sexual minorities not to reveal themselves in public places and to flaunt hatred." They pointed out, "This is not only property damage under criminal law but clearly violence and a crime rooted in hatred against sexual minorities."

On the 3rd, the 'Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination' advertisement that had been vandalized at Sinchon Station in Seoul was reposted. Photo by Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination Rainbow Action

Controversy over discrimination against sexual minorities also arose during the process of requesting Seoul Metro to post the advertisement. Rainbow Action initially planned to post the ad at Hongdae Entrance Station in May, but Seoul Metro rejected it, stating that advertisements related to sexual minorities fall under 'opinion advertisements,' delaying the posting.

After Rainbow Action and others filed a petition with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) and held a press conference condemning Seoul Metro, final approval for posting was granted on the 14th of last month.

Incidents where regulations followed social activities of sexual minorities have frequently occurred in the past. Earlier, the Soongsil University sexual minority group 'Ibangin' attempted to post a freshman welcome banner saying "Welcome to all sexual minorities/non-sexual minorities at Soongsil" on campus in February, but the school rejected it, citing "inconsistency with the founding ideology."

At Gachon University last year, the campus sexual minority group 'GQ' tried to set up a banner and promotional booth to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, but it was canceled due to disapproval from the Student Welfare Office.

As such, criticism arises that discriminatory and hateful views toward sexual minorities still exist in Korean society. Although there is a global trend to respect and protect the human rights of sexual minorities, many restrictions still accompany their social and cultural activities.

According to a survey, a majority of sexual minorities have experienced discrimination or harassment due to their identity.

In the "Survey on Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity" published by the NHRCK in 2014, among 516 respondents, 41.7% (215 people) reported experiencing at least one form of mistreatment such as ostracism, threats, repeated criticism, blame, ridicule, property damage, physical violence, sexual harassment, or sexual violence at work due to their identity.

Negative perceptions of sexual minorities were also found to be significant. According to the "Study on Perceptions of Social Minorities" released by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs in May, the explicit prejudice (negative and exclusive perceptions) of Koreans toward sexual minorities scored 3.23 out of 5, higher than toward migrant workers (2.99) or North Korean defectors (2.90).

In June, the Justice Party proposed the "Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act," which states that no one should face discrimination based on gender, disability status, age, country of origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Photo by Yonhap News

Previously, the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee expressed concern in 2015 about discriminatory attitudes and hatred toward sexual minorities in Korean society and recommended that the government not tolerate violence, social stigma, or discrimination against sexual minorities based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

However, the government and major political parties still maintain a lukewarm stance on enacting the minimum law to protect sexual minority human rights, the "Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act," citing reasons such as "lack of social consensus."

The Justice Party proposed the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act in June and emphasized that the National Assembly and government should actively legislate the law.

Jang Hye-young, a Justice Party lawmaker who spearheaded the anti-discrimination bill, urged legislation at a press conference held in the National Assembly in June, stating, "The anti-discrimination law promoted by the Justice Party is a law that protects 'all of us.'" She added, "It is not a law that punishes hate with penalties but establishes democratic principles for the safety and dignity of all citizens and sets non-negotiable guidelines on human rights."

The NHRCK also expressed its opinion to the National Assembly that the "Act on Equality and Prohibition of Discrimination (Equality Act)" should be enacted.

Choi Young-ae, Chairperson of the NHRCK, held a press conference at the National Human Rights Commission in Jung-gu, Seoul, in June, stating, "The enactment of the Equality Act is an urgent task that can no longer be postponed in our society and a core principle of our Constitution regarding the guarantee of fundamental rights." She emphasized, "As a UN Human Rights Council member, we must now respond to such requests from the international community."

Last month, the NHRCK also submitted an opinion on the 5th national report draft on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights prepared by the Ministry of Justice, stating, "There is a need to present the government's concrete efforts and plans to promote the enactment of the anti-discrimination law."

The NHRCK said, "Although the government has repeatedly announced plans to promote the enactment of the comprehensive anti-discrimination law, it is difficult to understand the government's specific position on promoting the law from the content described in the national report draft. No visible efforts or concrete plans for implementation have been presented, and there has been no progress," urging the government again to present concrete plans to promote the anti-discrimination law.

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