By Hyunjee Park, South Korea
Image: Human Rights Watch
Young LGBTQ children, adolescents, and adults in South Korea are struggling in isolation, surrounded by seemingly constant discrimination and harassment in their country. South Korea’s low acceptance towards the LGBTQ community—people that identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, or others—has caused numerous incidents of harassment and bullying toward sexual minorities, becoming increasingly significant within Korea’s young LGBTQ generation.
Lack of proper education about sexual minorities in South Korean schools has largely contributed to the ongoing discrimination. There is deep concern towards South Korean schools’ conservative bias against sexual minorities and the shortage of confidential mental health support. Additionally, school counselors and teachers have had no prior training nor knowledge about how to assist young LGBTQ students. As a result, those students now say that they’re reluctant to confide in their school counselors and teachers. They’re scared that those figures could breach the confidentiality of their sexual orientation, or even condemn them, when they are supposed to be safe spaces. Students whose sexual orientation become known in their school are ostracized and called names. In some circumstances, they’re bullied or endure physical harassment. In extreme cases, sexual assault occurs. Not only does it affect young LGBTQ students’ education overall, but it drastically harms their mental health.
In hopes of countering the discrimination received in the LGBTQ community, some South Korean politicians are debating over a new anti-discrimination law, which would ultimately provide protection for sexual minorities. However, extreme opposition from conservative groups close to evangelical Christians falters the passing of this law. Several Korean political representatives with conservative values have openly expressed their disapproval of homosexuality, setting off frustration within the Korean LGBTQ community.
However, hopes for a new anti-discrimination law to be passed in 2021 continue. South Korea has become more accepting of sexual minorities and are fighting for inclusiveness and awareness in their country. But even so, young LGBTQ Koreans still face conservativeness in schools, work, and religion, and in their own household. Famous bisexual Youtuber and entrepreneur Soo Not Sue stated that she hoped Korean mainstream media would spread needed awareness about LGBTQ and queer representation. Comparing current acceptance of LGBTQ representation in Western mainstream media to Korea’s, her statement holds to be true. Even with an anti-discrimination law, without proper awareness of the people about sexual minorities, conservative values will remain deep-rooted in South Korean society.
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