In this blog post, we will consider how we view homosexuals in an increasingly open Korean society. We will explore ways to move beyond prejudice toward understanding and respect.
As Korean society becomes more culturally diverse and people’s mindsets grow increasingly open, a wide range of opinions on homosexuality are emerging. This is not necessarily due to a sudden influx of cultural influences from outside Korea, but rather because the voices of sexual minorities, which have long been suppressed, are gradually being reflected in various aspects of our society. Nowadays, it is easy to access media related to homosexuality, especially movies and novels, and occasionally public figures openly reveal their homosexuality. Stories related to homosexuality are commonly featured on TV and are sometimes used as a source of humor. A drama titled “Life is Beautiful,” which deals with homosexuality, was even broadcast on public television during a time slot suitable for all ages, without any age restrictions. However, it is still difficult for people to openly acknowledge their homosexuality and act freely, and they often face negative reactions from those around them. The aforementioned drama was criticized in a newspaper advertisement by an obscure group called the “Proper Education Mothers’ Association” after its broadcast. In such a contradictory situation, what attitude should we adopt toward homosexuals?
In fact, until recently, I myself was not particularly tolerant of homosexuality. For some reason, I felt I couldn’t tolerate having such people around me and would even hate and dislike them. However, I had never seriously or deeply considered homosexuality. While it was a very important issue for those directly involved, I simply felt aversion toward them because they were different from me. Then, I had a discussion about homosexuality with my girlfriend. As I spoke, I realized that there were many contradictions in my own words, and as I researched materials to write this article, I realized that I had many misconceptions. They were no different from me.
Humans are born with a personality and act according to their own judgment. All individuals have the right to be respected and the obligation to respect one another, and this is human rights. Even if there are physical or mental disabilities, they must be respected as inherent rights. Therefore, it is important to determine the scope of these “rights” that must be respected. Human rights are explicitly stated in Article 10 of the Constitution and are an important and powerful social commitment, as evidenced by the existence of a Human Rights Commission within the state. Today, human rights are regarded as a political tool, a social movement, and an educational task. Although their substance is often unclear, the role of human rights can be expanded depending on various interpretations. However, no matter how narrowly or narrow-mindedly we think about human rights, love between people should be fundamentally guaranteed. In this sense, while I do not necessarily believe that homosexuality is right, I do not think it is necessary to discriminate against or hate homosexuals and force them to become heterosexuals.
I, too, have not yet completely overcome this, but I believe it is important to first develop a correct understanding of homosexuality. The social stereotypes that often come to mind when we think of homosexuals clearly reveal our prejudices. We tend to think that we can easily judge whether someone is homosexual based on their appearance or behavior. For example, we might assume that a man who appears feminine or a woman who appears masculine is homosexual. It is wrong to assume that gay men are effeminate and emotional, or that lesbian women are tough and rational. According to a 1980 survey in the US, only about 10% of gay men showed distinct feminine traits. There were also no differences in the types of jobs or positions they held compared to the general population. It is foolish to try to understand people’s preferences or personalities based on uniform external criteria. Efforts to distinguish homosexuals from the general public stem from an inherent bias that labels them as “wrong” rather than “different.” They are simply different from us in terms of whom they love. Think about it simply. Humans are capable of loving all things around them. Parents and siblings are fundamentally people who care for each other and share emotions. Love is not limited to humans. If you sincerely like something, you may eventually develop deeper feelings for it. For example, people who keep pets think of them as companions and love them sincerely. Not only animals, but people who grow plants can also love trees and flowers. There are many other things in the world that can be loved. Does this mean that there is a difference in value between all these forms of love? No, there is not. While there may be slight differences in the magnitude of love, there are no criteria for determining good or bad love in terms of the quality of the emotion. The same applies to same-sex love, which should be treated the same as heterosexual love. This is simply a difference in expression based on sexual orientation.
We have been surrounded by heterosexual thinking and have accepted love between men and women as the only natural form of love. In particular, Confucianism is deeply rooted in Korea, and there is a tendency to view homosexuality as something ugly and criminal. Another prejudice against homosexuality is that it is a mental or ethical disorder that causes disgust in those around them.
Despite thorough research from biological, psychological, and sociological perspectives, the debate over whether homosexuality is innate or acquired continues, with no conclusive answer yet. This is similar to the ongoing debate in physics over whether light is a particle or a wave. Much research begins by viewing homosexuality as a misguided sexual preference. As mentioned earlier, we do not need to make efforts to enlighten homosexuals. Such efforts are disrespectful to their personalities. Whether innate or acquired, we should not try to forcefully define homosexuality or seek treatment methods for it. Instead, we should accept it as a natural phenomenon, which is beneficial for both sides. If we make an effort to accept all of this, many things will become easier. There will be no need to feel unnecessary hatred.
One common prejudice is to always associate homosexuality with sexuality. It is important to distinguish between homosexual orientation and homosexual activity. While some people with a homosexual orientation engage in homosexual activity, there are also cases where heterosexual individuals engage in homosexual activity in environments where contact with the opposite sex is prohibited or restricted. Those who oppose homosexuality on moral grounds often confuse these two concepts. Those who engage in homosexual acts solely for sexual gratification do not have love for one another, so their actions are not homosexuality. They are simply fulfilling their sexual desires with the wrong object. In such cases, their actions can be considered immoral, as those who oppose homosexuality argue. On the other hand, we cannot interfere with or restrict what people with genuine same-sex attraction choose to do. There are also people who have same-sex attraction but do not engage in same-sex acts due to religious beliefs or other reasons. Their decisions must be respected, and all outcomes should be treated as the result of their free will.
AIDS is a topic frequently mentioned in relation to homosexuality. Some claim that AIDS is caused by homosexuality and is more contagious among homosexuals, but this is merely a misconception based on ignorance. AIDS is caused when the bodily fluids of a person infected with the HIV virus enter the body of another person. It is a disease that can affect anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, if they do not take care of their bodies.
Even today, conservative Korean society remains strict toward homosexuality. On the surface, it may seem like society is becoming more accepting, but in reality, this is not the case. If your family or friends came out as homosexual, would you easily accept them? The answer to this question is probably “no” for many people. However, many misunderstandings and prejudices about homosexuality arise because people do not view them as complete human beings. Even if it is difficult at first, it is necessary to make an effort to gradually bring them into the realm of your emotions and reason. Before demanding their own rights, homosexuals should also reflect on why others view them negatively. Some homosexuals lead promiscuous lifestyles, and if they truly care about homosexuality, they should conduct themselves appropriately, just like heterosexuals. If efforts to understand each other’s differences continue and mutual respect is achieved, we can look forward to a more socially, ethically, and morally stable society.
