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Seoul just held its very first drag parade and the photos are amazing

6 years ago
by gaytourism
Written by gaytourism

The Seoul Drag Parade. | Photo: Twitter/@thepin_ch

South Korea’s capital, Seoul, held its first drag parade over the weekend with about 1,000 people turning up to celebrate.

About 500 people came along to the actual parade, with another 500 or so heading the after parties that evening.

Organizers of the Seoul Drag Parade were inspired by pride parades from all around the world. But Korea’s regional queer culture festivals also inspired them.

The ultimate goal of the parade was to encourage all people to ‘use drag to go on a journey to find their identity, and become able to express their true feelings, thoughts, and style’.

Organizers were very clear that Seoul Drag Parade would not tolerate discrimination against trans people or people’s personal drag styles.

Dozens of drag queens strutted their stuff on along Itaewon, a suburb known for its nightlife and gay scene.

South Korea is one of the more conservative countries in Asia when it comes to LGBTI issues. Powerful Christian lobbies oppose any progress on same-sex marriage and the country does not have anti-discrimination laws to protect LGBTI people.

‘When it comes to South Korea, human rights guarantees for sexual minorities are insufficient,’ parade organizer Yang Heezy, told AFP.

‘Today’s drag parade and more queer culture festivals should take place to bring attention to sexual minorities and help those who are not from those minorities learn more.’

Needless to say the parade and after-parties were a decadent display of color and looked like fabulous fun.

Here are some of the best photos from the 26 May event:

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