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Participants in the Hand in Hand Seoul 2017 choral festival for LGBT people in Asia sing “Over the Rainbow” on the central staircase of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul on the afternoon of June 3. (Yonhap News)

“And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.”

A group of people gathered on the central staircase of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul on the afternoon of June 3 to sing “Over the Rainbow.” Why was this midday chorus ringing out in the city center?

The gay human rights group Chingusai (Between Friends) and the feminist culture group Unni [Sister] Network began holding promotional performances around 2 pm of June 3 for the upcoming Hand in Hand Seoul 2017 choral festival for LGBT people in Asia. The festival, which features performances by LGBT choruses active in Asia, was first held in Nov. 2004 in Taipei.

The second festival, Hand in Hand Seoul 2017, takes places at Mapo Art Center in Seoul at 5 pm on June 4 and features performances by eight choruses with a total of around 160 members, including Taiwan’s G-Major, Hong Kong’s Harmonics, and China’s Beijing Queer Chorus. Reportedly taking part from South Korea are G-Voice, which became known to the public through the film “Weekends,” and Unnie Choir, a group of rainbow feminists who identify as nonmarrying.

A poster for the Hand in Hand Seoul 2017 choral festival for LGBT people in Asia

Nagi, an activist with Unni Network, delivered a host country celebratory address at a press conference before the promotional performance on June 4.

“It isn’t easy living in South Korea as a sexual minority, and it’s a similar situation in other Asian countries,” she said.

“Rather than just allow despair and fear to rule us, we are going to join hands and sing together in one voice about human dignity, equality, love, and peace.”

Participants from Taiwan drew applause and cheers from all around as they shared news of a May 24 court ruling that found the country’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. With its ruling, the Taiwanese Constitutional Court ordered amendment of the law to legalize same-sex marriage in Taiwan. Taiwan is the first Asian country to have a court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage.

After the press conference, participants marched to Seoul Plaza, chanting messages such as “We want rights, love, and change.” In their hands was a rainbow flag, a symbol for LGBT people.

which started on June 4 at Mapo Art Center in Seoul

By Park Soo-jin, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]