Thousands gathered in central Seoul on Saturday for the 26th Seoul Queer Culture Festival, a vibrant display of South Korea’s LGBTQ+ community’s resilience and pride. The event followed the recent election of liberal President Lee Jae-myung, sparking cautious optimism about potential progress in LGBTQ+ rights.
Despite rising attendance and support—including booths by embassies and university groups—the festival faced simultaneous protests from conservative religious groups. Though President Lee hasn’t publicly addressed LGBTQ+ issues, many see his leadership as a possible turning point after years of government resistance and denied anti-discrimination laws.
Festival organizer Hwang Chae-yoo emphasized their ongoing fight for recognition, referencing the hardships under the previous administration, which many accused of marginalizing LGBTQ+ individuals.
An estimated 30,000 people attended the event, according to organizers, although police placed the number at around 7,000. As festivalgoers marched through the city waving rainbow flags, nearby demonstrators held signs opposing the celebration. The demonstrations remained peaceful.
“It’s better than before, but we still have a long way to go,” said drag performer and participant Hong Il-pyo, who hopes for a more accepting society.