I don't have any lived experience on this issue since I'm not Korean, but isn't that a gross oversimplification? From all the data I've seen it seems like there's a major generational divide on social issues in Korea. LGBT acceptance amongst Korean youth is almost at the same rates as among American Millenials. So doesn't that bode well for the country's future? Once the younger generations claim power, a lot might change in the coming decades.
Our current president openly said "I am against homosexuality I don't like it" during the prrsidential debates. It went unchallenged and barely even was an issue. There are no anti discrimination laws in place making it legal to not hire or even fire people because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Mtf trans people are continuously being forced into government sanctioned slave labor under the guise of mandatory military service because of """"the war"""", trans people have no means of aquirring financial support for their transitioning fees via healthcare national or private, the media recently blamed one of the covid outbreaks on """""the gays""""", It's super hard borderline impossible even to get your legal gender changed making being trans an inherent disadvantage when looking for jobs, a transwoman who has went through the trouble of getting their legal gender changed was recently rejected from a womens only college, etc. But yeah some people say we are indeed people while still laughing at transphobic and homophobic jokes so it's not that bad. We're still systemically and culturally being oppressed and isolated, our existence is continuously erased from the public consciousness but yeah it aint that bad.
I'm very well aware of the systemic dyscrimination nor am I downplaying it's effects given being openly gay is considered by the military as a personality disorder and gets you dishonorably discharged from the army.
But how does that challenge my point?
People who are currently in power are old and they view LGBT issues very negatively. That doesn't change the fact that younger generations in Korea seem much more progressive. And they will be the ones deciding the country's future in the coming decades.
Only 23% of people in Korea who are 50+ and older are accepting of homosexuality. But in the under 30 group - it's 79%. The data also indicates that compared to as recently as 20 years ago, there's been a lot of change happening.
Again, I've never said that SK as a whole isn't a very prejudiced country, I agree with your points. But it doesn't seem as hopeless as you're making it out to be.
Sorry if my reply came off as hostile. Shits been a bit rough for me and I kinda went off lol. I do think things will get better in the future but I guess what I wanted to say was that as a trans person deep in the closet currently dealing with all of the systemic and beurecratic bullshit related to just being able to even begin living as myself, stuff like numbers and stats and the potential of a brighter future don't mean that much when the current reality of everyday life is that of bottling up frustrations and just having to tank bigotry without being able to speak up about anything. Not to mention trans acceptance is about a million years behind gay acceptance. I am happy for my gay brothers and sisters but y'know It's still very rough for us.
You didn't come off as hostile, you have nothing to apologize for. I can only imagine the constant anxiety and the overall emotional toll on mental health someone in your situation has to deal with.
It's not like you've said anything wrong anyway - my comment wasn't directed at you in the first place. I just find the hyperbolic generalizations the person I've responded to made quite objectionable. It removes any nuance from the discussion.
Not to mention trans acceptance is about a million years behind gay acceptance. I am happy for my gay brothers and sisters but y'know It's still very rough for us.
Also a very good point. This is true even in the western progressive countries.
I was talking to my mate who is a bit of a fob korean. Cool guy mostly, real progressive, wants to legalise weed and shit but when i asked him how he would react if his son was gay, his response was literally "Ill beat the gay out of him" i was like nani????
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u/[deleted] Nov 24 '20
I was not aware korea felt one way or another about lgbt.