Tag: South Korea

Searching for that elusive holiday adventure can sometimes be tricky for the LGBT+ traveller who on the one hand loves to find something exotic and undiscovered but needs to make sure they weight that up with safety and a sense of belonging in the country they visit. The global travel experts at Abercrombie & Kent

An investigation conducted by an international watchdog group has found that South Korean laws banning gay sex between members of the military actually leads to sexual harassment and abuse. Amnesty International has published the results of its study, which found that forbidding sex between active members of the military has a dangerous effect on troop morale and can lead soldiers to contemplate or attempt suicide. The effects do not extend only to gay soldiers, either. For example, in one case,...

Seoul, capital of South Korea, held the only Korean Pride Parade until 2009. The first South Korean Pride took place in 2000, and 50 people attended. The queer community in South Korea still faces legal discrimination. Laws and human rights surrounding the LGBTQ community are confusing, to say the least. Although same-sex relationships are legal, same-sex marriages are not recognized as a form of legal partnership. The Military Criminal Act identifies same-sex relationships as a form of sexual harassment, and those found...

The dog, who Gus adopted after the Winter Olympics in South Korea, died from complications surrounding a birth defect to his heart Gus Kenworthy has spoken of his pain after his gorgeous dog Beemo, who he met in South Korea at the Winter Olympics, passed away earlier this week. Beemo suffered from health complications which were a result of a hard-to-spot defect she suffered from birth. Beemo had a heart that was too big for her body, and her lungs deteriorated. Gus and...

Haesindang Park is penis-themed because of an old legend Located in Sinnam, South Korea, this penis-themed park is a NSFW tourist destination. Formally called Haesindang Park, the theme of the park is based on an old legend. What’s the legend? In the Legend of Auebawi and Haesindang, a woman was left by a man on a rock in the sea while he worked. Due to a storm, the man was unable to retrieve her, and the woman ended up drowning. After this incident, the...

A planned social media campaign "will focus on improving people's awareness, campaigning and monitoring." It’s a year of firsts at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, as figure skater Adam Rippon became the first openly gay American man to qualify for the Winter Olympics. Just four years ago in Sochi, Russia’s gay propaganda ban created a dangerous environment for athletes who wanted to be out and proud. Unsurprisingly, the Russian Ministry of Justice refused to allow a Pride House, a...

With the Winter Olympics around the corner, the global spotlight is on Korea. In just a few days, hundreds of athletes will descend on Pyeongchang, South Korea, for the 2018 Winter Olympics, including a number of gay and lesbian Olympians. But what’s the state of LGBT equality in South Korea? Historically, the country’s conservative government and large Christian population has meant slow progress: In 2013, a Pew Research poll indicated almost 60% of Koreans believed society shouldn’t accept homosexuality. There have never been...

South Korea is about to get its first openly gay singer and no one knows how he’ll be received. MRSHLL (born Marshall Bang) is a Korean-American singer who’s found his home in South Korea, and preparing for the release of his first EP in the country this fall. Originally from Texas, Marshall grew up deeply rooted in Christianity as his mother is a minister. As such, it was pretty hard for MRSHLL when he came out as gay. And recently it has...

It is compulsory for all men to complete two years of military services in South Korea, whose military law bans homosexuality. The head of South Korea’s army allegedly launched a secret investigation to find out which soldiers were gay. The Military Human Rights Center for Korea (MHRCK) claimed General Jang Jun-kyu authorised the ‘track-down process’ through social media and dating apps. His investigation has resulted in 20 soldiers facing charges under military anti-homosexuality laws. South Korea’s army chief is facing calls to resign...