By Honorary Reporter Edgar Antonio Caceres from Venezuela
Photos = Edgar Antonio Caceres 

The main streets of Seoul on June 14 were filled with thousands of Koreans and expats urging support for love, equality and human rights. 

The Seoul Queer Parade was a call for a world free from discrimination based on gender, race or sexual orientation.

Koreans and foreign nationals on June 14 gather around Seoul's Namdaemun Market to take part in the parade.

The celebration began at 11 a.m. around Seoul's Namdaemun Market with booths featuring merchandise, books and preventive health care information. By 2 p.m., participants wearing rainbow shirts and flags gathered before the main event.

Participants march alongside trucks with signs and playing music.

Under the summer sun, the march kicked off near Jonggak Station at 4 p.m., with participants chanting "Loving is not a sin, I have no sin" and singing K-pop songs celebrating individuality. Drag queens led the parade atop decorated trucks, followed by colorful floats that filled the streets with music.

The event featured displays of solidarity. A heterosexual couple marched holding hands while waving rainbow flags, and members of the disabled community joined in wheelchairs to highlight the inclusive nature of the event. 

The parade on June 14 brought together diverse communities including disabled people and representatives from the world over.

Global support was evident through the presence of representatives from Canada, Australia, Taiwan and Thailand. The march concluded at 6 p.m. at Jonggak Station with musical performances.

The event was part of efforts by activists to push for a law to prevent discrimination based on ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.