LGBT Act.org
Emergency Coalition of South Korean LGBT Rights Groups against Homophobia and the Distorted Anti-Discrimination Bill
E-mail: webmaster@lgbtact.org
Homepage: http://lgbtact.org
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[Urgent Action Alert] Battle homophobia and discrimination with friends and allies
Let's create rainbow world without discrimination!
* Time/date: 1 PM-, 11/11 (Sun.)
* Venue: In front of Samil Building in Cheonggyecheon 2-ga in Seoul
(venue of the 2007 Korea Queer Culture Festival)
Please see attached map
* Organizer: LGBT Act.org (emergency coalition of South Korean LGBT rights groups)
* Schedule/events: 1 PM Assembly; pep rally; division of roles
1:30 PM Anti-homophobia campaign
- Distribution of flyers
- Collection of signatures and donations
2 PM "Talking rainbow"
- Performance
- Sexual minorities' expression of dignity and resistance
- Friends' and allies' expression of support and solidarity
2:30 PM Rainbow parade for a world without discrimination
- Parade to the City Hall with balloons in rainbow colors
representing the categories of personal attributes or
minority groups deleted from the Anti- Discrimination Bill
(sexual orientation, educational background, national
origin, language, family type and status, medical history,
criminal and arrest history)
- Use of pickets and slogans; distribution of flyers
* What we can do to show support and to eliminate homophobia/discrimination
- Wear rainbow colors (clothing, flags, accessories, etc.)
- Prepare slogans and pickets as individuals or groups
- Distribute flyers
- Collect signatures and donations
1. Tell people about the distorted Anti-Discrimination Bill, which will condone
discrimination against many minorities
Despite its duty to enact laws for the entire nation and to protect
marginalized groups, the South Korean Ministry of Justice recently deleted no fewer than
7 categories of personal attributes open to discrimination--"sexual orientation, medical
history, national origin, language, family type and status, criminal and arrest history, and
educational background"--from the Anti-Discrimination Bill due to pressure from
conservative Protestants and private corporations, thus choosing utterly to disregard the
voices and plight of minorities. This is a tacit endorsement of actually existing
discrimination and a segregation of groups to be granted protection and groups to be
denied protection. Grasping the implications of such a development, LGBT Action.org
alerted South Korean society to the urgency and seriousness of the situation through
a press conference held on 11/8, symbolically in front of the Central Government
Complex building in the heart of Seoul. Is the Anti-Discrimination Bill indeed a concern only
of sexual minorities? The answer is a resounding "no" because the distorted and reduced
bill is in fact a pro-discrimination bill that not only is incapable of protecting but also
promotes discrimination against diverse individuals and groups including migrant workers,
people without college degrees, people with illnesses past and present, people with
criminal and arrest histories, speakers of languages other than Korean, and children of
single parents.
2. Discuss the Anti-Discrimination Bill with oppressed people
We can publicize the fact that the reduced and distorted Anti-Discrimination Bill promotes
discrimination insofar as we share and express the indignation felt by both sexual
minorities and many others who are equally oppressed. Unfortunately, however, the bill
has not gained much publicity in South Korean society despite its significance, which has
led to indifference and ignorance even on the part of those who will be most affected by it.
Thankfully, on 11/11, all those who oppose the neoliberal Korea-US Free Trade
Agreement (KORUS FTA), discrimination against irregular (contingent) laborers, and war
and South Korea's continued dispatch of troops to Iraq will hold a "National Day of
Civic Action" event in front of the Seoul City Hall. We must be there to show our
opposition to a society that turns workers with and without college degrees into
exploited and unstable irregular workers, denies employment to former patients, and
forever incriminates former criminals. The occasion is all the more significant because it
will serve as an arena for actively voicing our opinions and demands and for expanding
support and solidarity to diverse individuals and groups.
3. Fight against discrimination with friends and allies
On 11/11, let's join hands with not only sexual minorities but also
all straight friends and allies. Let's give voice and ear to everyone who wishes to fight
against discrimination. Let's move people's hearts with our rallying cries. Let's cry out to
the world that we resist discrimination. Let's collect signatures and donations and
distribute flyers. Let's show the world our rainbow dreams and power!
* What we can tell the public to eliminate homophobia/discrimination
- Tell people about the importance and necessity for an undistorted Anti-Discrimination Bill
- Tell people about the irony of discrimination victims opposing the Anti-Discrimination Bill
out of ignorance
- Tell people about the exclusion of LGBT folks from the legal redress and compensation
represented by the Anti-Discrimination Bill
- Encourage participants in the "National Day of Civic Action" event to join our fight against
the distorted and reduced Anti-Discrimination Bill