Seoul education chief candidate's anti-LGBTQ+ banner sparks outrage

A campaign banner by Seoul mayoral candidate Jo Jeon-hyuk, featuring the slogan "Expel Queer Homosexual Education," has ignited controversy, drawing sharp criticism from fellow candidates and LGBTQ+ rights organizations. The slogan has been labeled as discriminatory and hateful, sparking calls for its immediate removal.

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The language of hate and exclusion has appeared in the superintendent election.

Jeong Geun-sik, another candidate for Seoul Superintendent of Education, condemned the banner, stating in a statement that "the language of hate and exclusion has appeared in the superintendent election." He argued that schools should be spaces where no student faces discrimination or stigma, emphasizing that LGBTQ+ students deserve dignity and safety.

Hong Je-nam, also running for superintendent, echoed these sentiments on social media, asserting that "all discrimination and hate must disappear." He stressed that individual freedoms and identities should be protected as long as they do not harm others, and that LGBTQ+ individuals deserve respect. Hong pledged to foster a society where diversity is fully respected.

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Schools should be spaces where no student faces discrimination or stigma, and LGBTQ+ students deserve dignity and safety.

Several LGBTQ+ rights groups, including the Korean Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Human Rights Center (Rainbow Action) and the Youth LGBTQ+ Support Center DINGDONG, issued a joint statement expressing outrage. They called the banner an act that "denies the existence of LGBTQ+ students and explicitly incites hatred."

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All discrimination and hate must disappear. Diversity must be fully respected in a society where children can coexist.

In response, Jo Jeon-hyuk's campaign team clarified that their opposition is not to LGBTQ+ individuals themselves, but to "queer education" that they claim promotes homosexuality. They stated their intention is to prevent the inclusion of books that "advocate and glorify homosexuality" in schools and libraries. Regarding the banner's wording, they explained that the phrase "expel homosexuality" was written in white to save space on the small banner, denying any intention to incite hatred.

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We cannot help but feel indignant beyond displeasure at the fact that we have to face banners with blatant homophobic expressions in the election, which is called the 'flower of democracy'.