David Tizzard is a professor at Seoul Women’s University, holds a PhD in Korean Studies, and hosts the Korea Deconstructed podcast. He has lived and worked in Seoul for more than two decades. Reach him at datizzard@swu.ac.kr.
Who flies the gay flag in South Korea?
By David Tizzard
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By David A. Tizzard
Since its creation in the late 1970s by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker, the rainbow flag has flown proud as the international symbol of gay and lesbian activism. It has been raised all over the world and adorned countless houses, car bumpers, student backpacks, websites, shops, Facebook profile photos and – on June 26th 2015 – even the White House as it commemorated the legalization of same-sex marriages in all 50 states of America.
Taiwan recently became the first Asian country to allow homosexual couples to marry and that decision by the country’s Constitutional Court demonstrates how progressive values are not to be attributed only to western countries – either geographically or culturally. Interestingly, when a referendum was held last November asking the citizens there how they felt about issues such as gay marriage, the public feedback was overwhelmingly negative.
Thus, the decision to rule the prohibition of same-sex marriage unconstitutional was not simply the will of the majority or the mass of public opinion. Instead, it demonstrated a legal willingness to respect minorities…no, to respect all people as equal. It affirmed a liberal perspective that regardless of one’s sexual orientation, political affiliation, religious beliefs, or other identifying factors, each and every human being should be afforded the same respect and rights before the law.
In a democracy, that was a very bold move. The court was not swayed by the dance of public opinion but rather maintained a dignified and logical position in accordance with its own constitution.
And so, with this week seeing Seoul playing host to the 2019 Seoul Queer Culture Festival, it raises the question of where the rainbow pride flag flies here in South Korea. It also suggests that whatever decision the country takes on the issue should be one of fundamental rights rather than simple personal opinion.
And those rights are being championed here by a number of international embassies. The British Embassy has promoted the festival on social media and featured Hong Seok-cheon in videos. Hong has come a long way since being fired by the television networks MBC and SBS in 2000.
Despite being well-known for his overtly camp roles, the revelation of his sexual orientation during an interview caused the main media channels to sever ties with him claiming that he was a “negative influence on teenagers.”
One wonders what other things might have to “banned” from our screens if the main national entertainment gatekeepers were going to continue with such logic. Perhaps the oft-Lolita themed pop performances that have now become embroiled in a wider story of sex and corruption, not to mention the proclivities of various politicians and public figures, should make way for more “wholesome” content - though that word immediately makes things sound boring and strikes up images of Park Chung-hee demanding albums have songs praising the country.
Growing up in the United Kingdom, the television screen, radio, newspaper columns, and award shows were always filled with “gay” celebrities: People such as Ian McKellen, Stephen Fry, Graham Norton, Samantha Fox, George Michael, Kenneth Williams, Sue Perkins and innumerable others. Indeed, the list is so long that Hong’s self-titled moniker of being the country’s “Top Gay” simply wouldn’t be applicable in Britain.
Moreover, the people there were not successful or known simply because of their sexuality; instead, they were respected and held positions of prominence because of their abilities. As an influence on teenagers, it taught one not to discriminate…or perhaps more accurately it taught one that it didn’t matter who you were, it mattered how you did your job.
The British Embassy, in championing its message of “love is great”, was joined by the Australian Embassy, the Danish, Norwegian, Canadian, Swedish, Finnish, New Zealand, American, Irish, the Dutch, and Mexican Embassies. That’s quite a long impressive list and it demonstrates how diplomacy does not always mean saying nothing and remaining politically neutral.
Here, diplomats, Ambassadors, and all the people that work behind the scenes in the Embassies are standing in support of equality. The British and American Embassies have been flying rainbow flags in Seoul again this week, something they have been doing for years.
So what of Korea? The current government is described as a progressive one – certainly in terms of its economic policies. These have been aimed at alleviating the burden on workers by raising the minimum wage and reducing working hours and are noble in their attempts. The rapprochement with the North has also shown a great deal of humanity as it seeks to personalize and build relationships with a country that has been historically painted by some as beyond recognition.
Yet on the question of the rainbow flag, the current administration still has some decisions to make. During a live televised debate prior to his election, President Moon responded to the conservative candidate Hong Joon-pyo by saying that he opposed homosexuality. To be fair, he also later clarified this by saying that he was also against discrimination based on sexuality.
In such situations, with the leadership of the country at stake following the impeachment of its previous leaders, politicians will naturally be rather guarded in what they say as well as have an eye on opinion polls and public sentiment vis-à-vis their possible victory. Nevertheless, now in power, what does the former human rights lawyer do now? Just how far do human rights stretch in one’s mind?
The lesson to be garnered from Taiwan is that sometimes public sentiment can be ruled unconstitutional. The lesson from the country’s various Embassies is that it is not always the correct thing to remain silent or politically neutral. The lesson from my personal experience is that growing up with such celebrities (and of course regular citizens around me) did not affect me in the least way negatively.
So as thousands fill City Hall this weekend and celebrate who they are, where does the mujigae fly in South Korea? Is the Blue House blue? Or is it a rainbow?
These are questions for the people of South Korea. And these are the questions for the current government.
David Tizzard (datizzard@swu.ac.kr) is an assistant professor at Seoul Women's University.