The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Discussions on raising age for free subway rides gain momentum

  • 3

    2-year work experience prerequisite lifted for foreign shipyard welders

  • 5

    US reaffirms nuclear security assurances to South Korea

  • 7

    Families of Itaewon victims on collision course with Seoul City

  • 9

    William Franklin Sands' diplomatic and undiplomatic views of late Joseon

  • 11

    Will KT, POSCO replace CEOs as Shinhan, Woori did?

  • 13

    Korea as sublime, strange, and familiar

  • 15

    TXT, Le Sserafim top Oricon album and singles chart

  • 17

    Chinese spy balloon 'transits' Latin America after first craft flies over US

  • 19

    Blinken scraps rare China trip over alleged spy balloon

  • 2

    INTERVIEWTati Gabrielle, actress of Korean, African-American descent, feels proud of her heritage

  • 4

    Families of Itaewon crowd stampede victims clash with police over installation of memorial altar

  • 6

    China expresses 'strong dissatisfaction' over US shooting down balloon

  • 8

    Opposition party takes to streets to protest prosecution probes into leader

  • 10

    Korean American Rep. Young Kim named chair of House Indo-Pacific subcommittee

  • 12

    US remains committed to using full range of capabilities to defend S. Korea: Blinken

  • 14

    US shoots down suspected Chinese spy balloon with a single missile

  • 16

    Wang Yi urges US to 'avoid misjudgment' over balloon controversy

  • 18

    President Yoon at odds with politician who helped him win election

  • 20

    Musk didn't defraud investors with 2018 Tesla tweets

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Mon, February 6, 2023 | 21:25
Multicultural Community
INTERVIEW'Jesus' speaks on gay pride, Christian protesters
Posted : 2017-07-20 11:21
Updated : 2017-07-21 18:55
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
/ Courtesy of Rachel Stine
/ Courtesy of Rachel Stine

By Jon Dunbar

An ironic image ended up embodying this year's Korea Queer Culture Festival (KQCF). Standing in front of a line of Christian protesters bearing a banner reading "Homosexuality is sin! Return to Jesus!" was a bearded white male in robes, clearly dressed as "Jesus," holding a rainbow-colored sign reading "I'm cool with it." The image went viral, making the front page of Reddit Tuesday morning.


"It's been a wild ride these last few days. I thoroughly enjoy reading the comments everywhere though," said Robert Evans, 27, the American seen in the picture.

He recalls the picture was taken right before the pride parade departed Seoul Square. The festivalgoers were corralled by riot police, protecting them from Christian protesters. The protesters were gathered in front of the Hwangudan gate right next to the gate leading to the street where the parade would start.

"There were thousands and thousands of people just outside the frame of this photo but I guess nobody wanted to get too close to the protesters," Evans said. "I took the opportunity to fill that space and present my message. I was aware of the banner behind me but I did not craft my sign with the specific intent of standing in front of that banner."

Several photographers captured the scene, juxtaposing Evans' Jesus with the Christians behind him.

Rachel Stine snapped the picture that went viral, while waiting for the parade to start. She did not know Evans at the time, and didn't help pose him.

Korea's biggest queer festival continues
Korea's biggest queer festival continues
2017-07-16 15:41  |  Society
US Embassy shows support for queer festival
US Embassy shows support for queer festival
2017-07-13 16:26  |  Foreign Affairs

"When I saw Rob in front of the protesters, I thought it would make for a hilarious picture," she told The Korea Times. "The contrasting elements made it an interesting subject -- the warm, bemused Jesus versus these screaming, raging protesters...it was funny, but also thoughtful on Rob's part. I wasn't thinking anything other than, 'I have to make sure no other festivalgoers are in the frame' and 'I hope Jesus guy lowers his sign so I can get the protest banner in the shot!'"

Having left her Nikon D5300 at home due to the rain, she captured the image on her iPhone 5S. She uploaded it to Facebook from the subway after. TBS eFM DJ Kurt Achin shared it on Instagram with her permission, and from there it went viral, spreading back to Facebook and onto Reddit, under the title "My buddy winning the day at Seoul Pride this weekend."

/ Courtesy of Rachel Stine
/ Courtesy of Ray Salcedo

Its popularity took its photographer aback. "At first, I thought: 'It's just a funny picture, not an artistic statement,' but reading some of the messages I got, I realized the photo really did impact people in a positive way," Stine said. "It makes me feel honored people took time out of their day to share my photo so widely. I don't care about my name being attached to the picture; I just want people to discuss the message it carries."


Evans first attended KQCF in 2015. He wore neon swim trunks and a tiny tank top to show his solidarity.

"I was taken aback by how much love and positive energy was flowing around the festival," he recalled. "I also walked around all the protesters. The chants and signs and level of hate was incredibly intense. As a straight Western male, I had never felt so much group-hate directed right at me, and I was literally moved to tears."

Evans is heterosexual but considers himself an LGBT ally. "I strongly feel it is important to stand up for their equality and human rights," he said. "LGBT rights are human rights."

For this year's festival, he wanted to do something to "diminish the effect of the hate-filled protesters." Raised Catholic but now identifying as secular humanist, he chose to dress as Jesus, with whom he bears a slight resemblance due to his beard and long hair. "I wanted my message to be concise, simple, and in juxtaposition to that of the protesters all while showing support for my many LGBT friends," he said. "I was not worried about offending (the protesters) with my positive presentation. I am confident most people see this photo as a welcome sign of love and acceptance."

He wasn't the only "Jesus" at the parade -- Evans recalls seeing two others there.

"Jesus -- whether you consider him the son of god, a historical figure, or simply a folk hero -- was all about love," Stine said. "Those protesters aren't really showing love to their fellow humans, are they? Love does this funny thing where it transcends judgment, hatred, politics...everything. That's why it's the most powerful thing in life."

The 2017 18th KQCF offers more events until Sunday. Visit kqcf.org for more.



Emailjonghyundunbar@gmail.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
Top 10 Stories
12-year work experience prerequisite lifted for foreign shipyard welders 2-year work experience prerequisite lifted for foreign shipyard welders
2Families of Itaewon victims on collision course with Seoul City Families of Itaewon victims on collision course with Seoul City
3President Yoon at odds with politician who helped him win election President Yoon at odds with politician who helped him win election
49 fishermen, including 2 Vietnamese, missing in boat incident 9 fishermen, including 2 Vietnamese, missing in boat incident
5LG publishes Korea's first group-level net zero report LG publishes Korea's first group-level net zero report
6Conflict reignites over relocation of POSCO Holdings to Pohang Conflict reignites over relocation of POSCO Holdings to Pohang
7[VIDEO] Filipina K-pop idol and K-drama actress react to stereotypes about the Philippines VIDEOFilipina K-pop idol and K-drama actress react to stereotypes about the Philippines
8FSC approves security token transactions in Korea FSC approves security token transactions in Korea
9Hyundai Motor's technology helps team become WTCR double champion Hyundai Motor's technology helps team become WTCR double champion
10Tasks lie ahead for Woori's next chairman nominee picked amid controversy Tasks lie ahead for Woori's next chairman nominee picked amid controversy
Top 5 Entertainment News
1[INTERVIEW] Tati Gabrielle, actress of Korean, African-American descent, feels proud of her heritage INTERVIEWTati Gabrielle, actress of Korean, African-American descent, feels proud of her heritage
2TXT, Le Sserafim top Oricon album and singles chart TXT, Le Sserafim top Oricon album and singles chart
3Reclusive fashion icon Martin Margiela makes comeback as artist with eerie wonderland of human bodies Reclusive fashion icon Martin Margiela makes comeback as artist with eerie wonderland of human bodies
4Decoding success factors of NewJeans: How is it different? Decoding success factors of NewJeans: How is it different?
5The Boyz member Hyunjae apologizes for wearing hat with Rising Sun flag design The Boyz member Hyunjae apologizes for wearing hat with Rising Sun flag design
DARKROOM
  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

  • World Cup 2022 France vs Morocco

    World Cup 2022 France vs Morocco

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group