The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Netflix apologizes for filming 'Single's Inferno 3' in marine sanctuary

  • 3

    In-N-Out Burger pop-up store attracts record crowd

  • 5

    Calls grow for female flight attendants to ditch skirts for pants

  • 7

    Hamburger franchises having trouble in M&A market

  • 9

    Man gets five-year jail term for K-pop concert ticket fraud

  • 11

    Small business owners urge stricter rules on migrant workers switching jobs

  • 13

    Transgender cyclist looks to spark debate in historic appearance

  • 15

    Suspect in grisly Busan murder sent to prosecutors for further probe

  • 17

    Nexon case reignites controversy over high level of inheritance tax

  • 19

    JYP to expand partnership with US music label

  • 2

    BTS' RM named honorary ambassador of war-remains excavation agency

  • 4

    'BLACKPINK the Game' showcases group's unique charm

  • 6

    EXO's Baekhyun, Xiumin and Chen in dispute with SM over contract issue

  • 8

    Pyongyang seeks to portray rocket as science effort by admitting failure: experts

  • 10

    Hallyu inspires Thailand to mull ways to export its culture

  • 12

    Police send girlfriend murder suspect to prosecution

  • 14

    From hardcore action to heart-throbbing romance, series to hit in June

  • 16

    Pandas at Everland become tourist magnet

  • 18

    S. Korea succeeds in L-SAM missile interception test for 3rd time

  • 20

    INTERVIEWFrench photographer highlights amazing transformations of dog meat farm survivors

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Sat, June 3, 2023 | 07:42
Society
Parents fight for their LGBTQ children's rights
Posted : 2022-01-18 08:44
Updated : 2022-01-18 17:04
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
Seen is the poster for the documentary film 'Coming to You,' released Nov. 17, 2021, and directed by Byun Gyu-ri. The film portrays two mothers' journey of accepting their children's sexual identity and their advocacy work for LGBTQ. / Courtesy of Atnine Film
Seen is the poster for the documentary film "Coming to You," released Nov. 17, 2021, and directed by Byun Gyu-ri. The film portrays two mothers' journey of accepting their children's sexual identity and their advocacy work for LGBTQ. / Courtesy of Atnine Film

By Lee Hae-rin

As a mother of two adult children, Kang Sun-hwa, a flight attendant, was a typical working woman who tried hard to balance her career and family. She had been doing so until June 18, 2016, when she and her husband were with their son at the dinner table, expecting to have quality time just like other days. Their son had said earlier that he had something to tell them. Instead of telling them what it was, he gave them a handwritten note, and then left.

Having no clue about his behavior, Kang began to read it. She couldn't believe her eyes. Her son's letter started with the shocking revelation that he is gay, information he understood would come as a big shock to his parents.

"I'd never, ever thought my son could possibly be gay. I thought there was a zero percent chance that he would be like that," Kang said during a recent Korea Times interview.

The moment of confusion, however, didn't last long.

As a mother, Kang said, she came to be sympathetic about her son. "He said he'd known he was gay ever since he was in second grade of middle school. He could have hidden it all his life without sharing it with us. If he had done that, imagine how painful it would have been. But he was courageous enough to speak out and let us know about his sexual identity," she said. "What I liked most about his letter was the part that he knew my husband and I would still love him and accept him as he is. I was touched."

Her son was right. Since that night, Kang has transformed into a campaigner fighting for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) rights. Like her son and many sexual minorities who go by nicknames, Kang introduces herself as "Vivian."

She is one of the most active members of the Parents, Families and Friends of LGBTQ+ People in Korea (PFLAG Korea). Founded in 2014, it is a non-profit group supporting sexual minorities.

With 130 parent members, the network stands at the forefront of educating and advocating for LGBTQ inclusivity and fighting for their children's rights.

Seen is the poster for the documentary film 'Coming to You,' released Nov. 17, 2021, and directed by Byun Gyu-ri. The film portrays two mothers' journey of accepting their children's sexual identity and their advocacy work for LGBTQ. / Courtesy of Atnine Film
Members of PFLAG Korea hold a press conference in Jongno District, downtown Seoul, on Transgender Visibility Day, March 31, 2021. The slogan in Korean on the closest purple sign reads, "Yes, my child is queer." Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

The support group runs a "free hugs" campaign and celebrates pride month, as well as joining parades at queer culture festivals. It also produces publications and guides for parents of sexual minorities and speaks out actively against discrimination based on sexual and gender identity via social media.

Kang's activism led to her appearance in the documentary "Coming to You," released on Nov. 17, 2021. Directed by Byun Gyu-ri, it features Kang and another brave parent ― "Nabi," or Jeong Eun-ae, 58, mother of a transgender son, and their two-year journey of accepting their children's gender identities and growth as human rights activists with PFLAG Korea.

PFLAG Korea is developing collaborative relationships with supportive communities from various backgrounds, including religions and fields of medicine. Catholic and Christian priests, nuns and doctors at gender clinics and researchers have recently joined the monthly sessions for information.

Seen is the poster for the documentary film 'Coming to You,' released Nov. 17, 2021, and directed by Byun Gyu-ri. The film portrays two mothers' journey of accepting their children's sexual identity and their advocacy work for LGBTQ. / Courtesy of Atnine Film
Jeong Eun-ae and Kang Sun-hwa, who appeared in the documentary "Coming to You," speak during an interview with The Korea Times at their office on Jan. 13. / Korea Times photo by Park Ji-won

Pointing out that Korea is still at one of the lowest LGBTQ legal inclusivity levels among OECD member states, PFLAG Korea's activities are inevitably linked to legislative advocacy of inclusive policies and laws.

"It is believed that about 5 percent of every population is LGBTQ, which amounts to 2.5 million in Korea. The number is greater than civil servants and active military personnel here combined, which are at 1.2 million and 60,000 respectively. Then, why do you think it's so difficult to see sexual minorities around us?" asked Jeong, indicating many sexual minorities hide their identities for fear of discrimination.

Korea has not included sexual minorities in official statistics or authentically represented them in the census. The nation's human rights watchdog recommended the government to include sexual minority groups in government statistics last month.

Jeong and Kang joined the grassroots movement to support their children, but their activism is for themselves as well. While learning new concepts and questioning their previous ideas, the two activists said parents face moments where they must choose to become better people.

"Our children's coming out opened up a new world to us, the parents," Jeong said. "I like how I learned to look into the world in more detail and to care about other socially vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, single mothers and animals, through LGBTQ activism," Jeong said.

"Children's coming out is a gift to their parents. We at the PFLAG Korea learned to accept and respect them as individuals and pursue our own happiness, liberating ourselves from nepotism and patriarchy," Kang said.

"I truly thank my son for inviting me into his world. For other LGBTQ people who wish to invite their loved ones into their world but lack courage, we want to be an invitation on their behalf."

Seen is the poster for the documentary film 'Coming to You,' released Nov. 17, 2021, and directed by Byun Gyu-ri. The film portrays two mothers' journey of accepting their children's sexual identity and their advocacy work for LGBTQ. / Courtesy of Atnine Film
Members of PFLAG Korea parade through downtown Seoul during Seoul Queer Culture Festival 2018. / Courtesy of Atnine Film

Someday when the group grows, it wishes to contribute to providing sexuality education. The country's national education curriculum created in 2015 excludes any mention of LGBTQ people and their health.

"Many people think that the lives of parents of LGBTQ would be tough and miserable, but we want to prove them wrong. We want to show as many people as possible that LGBTQ people and their families are here and we are very happy together," Kang said.


Emaillhr@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
wooribank
Top 10 Stories
1Roland Garros 2023 Roland Garros 2023
2Seoul imposes sanctions on North Korean hacking group for role in space launch Seoul imposes sanctions on North Korean hacking group for role in space launch
3Airlines fiercely compete to acquire additional aircraft Airlines fiercely compete to acquire additional aircraft
4More banks offer daily interest payments on deposits More banks offer daily interest payments on deposits
5Hyundai Elevator launches AI, IoT-powered maintenance service Hyundai Elevator launches AI, IoT-powered maintenance service
6POSCO, GM expand joint EV battery materials investment in North America POSCO, GM expand joint EV battery materials investment in North America
7LG Chem joins Korean firms strengthening ties with Japan LG Chem joins Korean firms strengthening ties with Japan
8HMM tasked with preventing sale of Hyundai LNG to foreign firm HMM tasked with preventing sale of Hyundai LNG to foreign firm
9Korean stocks feared to lose steam on prolonged trade deficit, real estate doldrums Korean stocks feared to lose steam on prolonged trade deficit, real estate doldrums
10KAERI distances itself from Oxford professor's claim on Fukushima water KAERI distances itself from Oxford professor's claim on Fukushima water
Top 5 Entertainment News
1'HyeMiLeeYeChaePa' producer Lee Tae-kyung hopeful of second season 'HyeMiLeeYeChaePa' producer Lee Tae-kyung hopeful of second season
2How artist Michael Rakowitz resurrects lost past of Iraq through food packaging How artist Michael Rakowitz resurrects lost past of Iraq through food packaging
3From hardcore action to heart-throbbing romance, series to hit in June From hardcore action to heart-throbbing romance, series to hit in June
4[INTERVIEW] Lee Jun-hyuk unrecognizable in 'The Roundup: No Way Out' INTERVIEWLee Jun-hyuk unrecognizable in 'The Roundup: No Way Out'
5'Elemental' director on bringing his personal story of immigration to cinema 'Elemental' director on bringing his personal story of immigration to cinema
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group