Seoul's first 'Queer Bnb' opens
By Celeste Kriel
A newly opened “Queer Bnb” in Seoul offers short-term studio accommodation to travelers in Korea who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ). LGBTQ guests can access accommodation and travel information as well as support and advice tailored to their needs.
“There is not much information about traveling in Korea while queer so I thought it would be a good idea to offer accommodation to people looking for that kind of thing,” said Hayden Royalty, the Korean-American owner, who identifies as gender queer.
The Queer Bnb opened just in time for international Pride month in June, when members of the LGBTQ community and supporters around the world hold events to advocate for equal rights, celebrate sexual diversity and build communities.
However, this year’s Korea Queer Culture Festival (KQCF) has been delayed by a month and will be taking place this Saturday ― after having been scheduled, canceled and rescheduled due to strong opposition from right-wing Christian groups.
While being gay is not illegal, anti-gay sentiments are rife. Just recently, a couple of soldiers were slapped with criminal charges for homosexual contact, while newly elected President Moon Jae-in voiced his opposition to homosexuality during a presidential debate a few months ago.
Royalty hopes the Queer Bnb will be a small antidote to homophobia here and a place for Korean and foreign travelers to feel comfortable to express themselves and their gender identity openly and learn more about queer life in Korea as well as offer suggestions for queer-friendly entertainment in Seoul.
“Queer spaces are essential to my happiness as a person. It’s being able to connect with people on another level,” said Jackie Carillo, an LGBTQ rights activist in Seoul. “Staying in Korea, we are already so far away from home, but a queer space makes us truly feel at home in the heart.”
Royalty suggests many queer-friendly destinations, ranging from cafes and restaurants to social clubs and other events.
“Queer-only spaces give us a form of community and security and validity. The more queer spaces, and the more variety of queer spaces, the more educated, united, and stronger we can feel,” Royalty said.
The idea for the Queer Bnb sparked when Royalty began receiving comments and messages from people all over the world asking if Korea is LGBTQ-friendly for visitors, and they realized there was a need for more queer-related travel information. Apart from hosting travelers, they host events on the premises as well.
Claire Berger, an American in Seoul who attended one of the Queer Bnb events, said, “The apartment has amazing views and is in a good location, I immediately felt comfortable there. Queer spaces really do matter, and staying at an explicitly queer-friendly space can open you up to the fantastic queer community in Seoul.
“Hayden is great at bringing people together ― I had multiple friendships begin through just one event at the Queer BnB,” she said of Hayden.
For more information on queer life in Korea, Royalty discusses these and other Korean-American issues on their YouTube channel called “Hayden Royalty.” To stay up to date with Queer Bnb activities and specials, follow @queerbnb on Instagram or email royal.haydenxx@gmail.com.