Daegu Queer Festival Set for Next Month

Daegu is preparing to host its 18th Queer Cultural Festival next month, an event that has become a significant gathering for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies in South Korea. Organized by a coalition of 26 civic groups, including the Daegu Rainbow Human Rights Solidarity, the festival will be held on June 12th along Gukchae-bosang-ro, in front of the 2.28 Democracy Movement Memorial Park in Jung-gu.

This year's theme, 'SabilQjeong – Queering and Justifying World Affairs,' is a play on the Korean idiom 'Sabilgwijeong' (all things will eventually return to their rightful place). The organizers have infused it with 'Queer' to express hope and determination that the world's history will move towards a direction of equality and justice for sexual minorities.

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The pride march, which first began in 2009 in the conservative land of Daegu, has become a space to confirm each other's existence and welcome, and a festival that advocates for the human rights of all minorities.

The festival will feature approximately 100 booths hosted by various solidarity groups, offering diverse programs for attendees. A central event will be the 'Pride Parade,' which will commence at the 2.28 Democracy Movement Memorial Park, proceed through Gongpyeong-negeori, and cover the Dongseong-ro area. Additionally, the 13th Daegu Queer Film Festival is scheduled for July 4th and 5th at the Daegu OOO Cinema.

Organizers highlighted the festival's origins in 2009 in Daegu, a historically conservative region. They stated that the event has evolved into a space for mutual recognition and welcome, and a platform for advocating the human rights of all socially marginalized groups. "We will hold a proud and confident parade on the safe path we create this year," the organizing committee declared, inviting the public to join with warm solidarity.

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This year, we will hold a proud and confident parade on the safe path we create. We ask you to join us with warm solidarity on that path.