By Cathy Rose A. Garcia, Kang Shin-who
A homosexual Filipino student is on the brink of expulsion from the Catholic University of Korea (CUK) in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, because of his sexual orientation.
Fellow students and residents at the school’s male dormitory had complained to CUK authorities about the 24-year-old graduate student, who has been enrolled there since September. Students claimed they were uncomfortable around him, and even accused him of using the ladies’ bathroom.
In an interview with The Korea Times, the Filipino student vehemently denied those claims. He declined to have his name published for fear of negative repercussions from the school.
“I don’t know why they are making up these rumors... I never used the ladies’ bathroom. In fact, a (female) classmate, who reported that she saw me use the bathroom, later apologized to me and said she made a mistake,” he said.
The Filipino student said he has never tried to hide his sexual orientation from the school authorities, even when they interviewed him for the scholarship in Manila. He had also graduated from a Catholic university in Manila and cannot quite believe he faces expulsion just because he is homosexual.
“I am proud to be gay. When people asked me, I tell them: ‘yes, I’m gay and I respect Korean culture,’” he added.
When sought for comment, Won Cheon-woo, a CUK communications official, said many students were affected by the Filipino gay student’s actions, which prompted the school to take the unusual action of removing him from the dormitory.
“This is not the matter of values. Many students are inconvenienced and are feeling unpleasant with the (gay) student, who has been trying to use the ladies’ restroom. We never treated him unfairly because of his sexual orientation but he just caused a problem, which troubles our school students,” Won said.
Since the Filipino student’s scholarship is tied to his work as assistant staff at the English-dormitory, the scholarship is also being revoked.
CUK’s Won said the student cannot study at CUK if he has to leave the dormitory and the school cannot give him any special treatment.
However, the Filipino student refused to sign the withdrawal form and decided to fight the school’s decision to expel him.
“I asked them for due process,” he said, and now he’s waiting for the final decision. He still attends classes, although he now lives off-campus.
He was surprised at the support from the gay community in Korea, and some Korean lawyers have offered assistance as well.
Despite this experience, the Filipino student is still thankful to CUK for giving him the chance to study in Korea. “It’s been a privilege to come here... And now, I’ve met a lot of people who support me. Whatever decision the school makes, I’m ready. I have a home in the Philippines. I will be fine,” he said.
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