South Korea's LGBT community came together for a Queer Culture Festival on Saturday that is now in its 16th year. File Photo by Yonhap
SEOUL, June 29 (UPI) -- South Korea's annual Queer Culture Festival took on a new meaning Saturday, just after the U.S. Supreme Court declared same-sex marriage legal across America.
The festival took place in Seoul's city center for the first time in 16 years, Yonhap's news network reported. In previous years, the festival was held in an area known for its universities and nightlife, and the festival organizers' plan to move the parade close to the center of Seoul was met with opposition in early June.
A Seoul police ban on the event was overruled in a South Korean court, and it went ahead as planned.
The rainbow flag of gay pride was raised high at a festival that reflected changing South Korean attitudes toward its little-known LGBT community. Yonhap reported the mood of the parade was more elevated, and spirits ran high, crediting Friday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
Participants walked as they chanted, "Love each other, and resist, [long live the] queer revolution!"
South Korean media said at least 30,000 people attended.
Outside the main area where the festival was held, anti-gay activists from conservative Christian groups stood with placards denouncing the celebration.
Police stood by in case of unexpected clashes between the two camps.
South Korean newspaper Kyunghyang Sinmun reported U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Mark Lippert stopped by the various booths set up at the festival to take photos with attendees.
Kyunghyang reported a conservative Christian group that staged a festival of good wishes for Lippert immediately after he was attacked in March, was also present as dances were held in honor of the gay community.
This time, however, the group stood in the camp opposite to the well-wishers, according to South Korea press.
