Biased Poll Questions on Seoul Queer Festival Undermine Democracy, Activist Argues

A recent public opinion poll on the Seoul Queer Culture Festival has drawn sharp criticism from a South Korean activist for its allegedly biased and misleading questions. Han Chae-yoon, an activist with the Korea Sexual Minority Culture and Human Rights Center, expressed deep concern over a survey conducted by Korea Research's 'Public Opinion within Public Opinion' team.

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The poll referred to the event as 'Queer Festival' instead of its official name, Seoul Queer Culture Parade.

"The poll referred to the event as 'Queer Festival' instead of its official name, Seoul Queer Culture Parade," Han noted. "It also presented a false choice between the festival being 'enjoyable for anyone regardless of sexual orientation' and 'for sexual minorities.'" This framing, Han argued, ignores the fact that these two concepts are not mutually exclusive and can create the impression that the festival is an exclusive event for a specific group.

Further concerns were raised about the poll's question regarding the event's location, offering a choice between 'outskirts of the city center' and 'city center.' Han pointed out that holding public gatherings and cultural events is a constitutionally protected right. The phrasing implicitly suggests that holding the event in the city center is problematic, echoing past discriminatory remarks made by a former mayoral candidate, which were later deemed hate speech by the National Human Rights Commission.

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It also presented a false choice between the festival being 'enjoyable for anyone regardless of sexual orientation' and 'for sexual minorities.'

The survey also questioned participants about age restrictions, presenting options like 'unrestricted admission' and 'ban on minors.' Han stated this not only disregards the festival's 27-year history as a public cultural event but also denies the existence of adolescent sexual minorities. The activist argued that such questions, by implying potential harm or inappropriateness for minors, can instill prejudice.

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This phrasing implicitly suggests that holding the event in the city center is problematic, echoing past discriminatory remarks made by a former mayoral candidate, which were later deemed hate speech by the National Human Rights Commission.

Questions about whether the festival should proceed without government or local authority support, and whether counter-protests should be permitted, were also criticized. Han highlighted that the Seoul Queer Culture Festival has faced administrative discrimination, including denial of access to Seoul Plaza and prolonged refusal of its foundation status. The activist stressed that while listening to public opinion is important, opinion polls should not serve as an alibi for prejudice and discrimination, and that fair polling begins with fair questions.

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This not only disregards the festival's 27-year history as a public cultural event but also denies the existence of adolescent sexual minorities.