What are sexual minorities?
Sexual minorities are groups of people whose sexual orientation, gender identity, or sexual characteristics are different from the presumed majority of the population, which are male or female heterosexuals.
Understanding of sexual minorities
In Korea, we still carry derogatory perspectives towards sexual minorities. However, we find sexual minorities across all races. They are suffering from even harder discrimination than racial discrimination. In the worst cases, people take the discrimination for granted. We must acknowledge that they are people just like us. There is no proper excuse to discriminate and inflict judgment upon them just because of their sexual orientation. The alternative solution is simple: Just respect them. You don’t have to understand them. Take them as they are and show them respect. Mutual respect, if prevalent in the world, will put an end to all forms of discrimination. As mentioned before, there's a lack of understanding towards sexual minorities in Korea. However, Korea is known to understand sexual minorities better than any other countries in Asia. Japan for example, is thought to be sexually open-minded; however the Japanese do not open their minds to bi-sexuals, transgender, gays or lesbians. It's common to watch homosexuals talking in TV show or commercials. Compared to other countries in Asia, Koreans accept the sexual minorities as part of society more naturally. We must keep on trying to protect their rights as we strive to gain a good reputation, such as a country like the Netherlands, which has a good set of social security program for their sexual minorities.

About lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Festival
Let me tell you about various LGBT Festivals. First, there is the Pride Parade. The Pride Parades for the LGBT community (also known as pride marches, gay pride parades, LGBT pride parades, pride events and pride festivals) are events celebrating LGBT culture. The events also at times serve as demonstrations for legal rights such as same-sex marriage. Most pride events occur annually and many take place around June to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, a pivotal moment in the modern LGBT rights movement. Second, in Korea we have the Korea Queer Culture Festival (KQCF). KQCF is held in June of every year; it is a fun festival for queers. Largely, KQCF includes a queer parade and SeLF(Seoul LGBT Film Festival). Finally, there is Day of Silence. The Day of Silence is the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network's (GLSEN) annual day of action to protest the bullying and harassment of LGBT students and their supporters. Students take a day-long vow of silence to symbolically represent the silencing of LGBT students and their supporters.
The Day of Silence has been held each year in April since 1996. The 2012 Day of Silence was April 20, and in 2011 it was April 15. The most recent Day of Silence was on April 19, 2013. It will next be observed on April 11, 2014.
Is it interesting to you? There are many stories about the experiences of sexual minorities. As you hear more about them, just remember: being different doesn't mean being wrong.

Kim Jun-hyeok  -

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