Abstract: All talk of sex was taboo in Korean society until the middle of this century. Only during the last decade has sexuality been a topic of discussion, but still the discourse was dominated by traditional male views regarding sex. Today, the number of homosexuals living openly is growing, and active debate about homosexuality in Korea is now emerging. The current state of homosexual human rights is explored through the following topics: "Homosexuality in the Korean Historical Record"; "Contemporary Homosexual Community in Korea"; "Social Activism on Homosexuals' Rights"; "Homosexuals and the Law"; "Homosexuality and the Mass Media"; and "Academic Activity." This paper includes results of surveys which sampled the number of gays in a given population and polled the attitudes of Korean psychologists towards homosexuals. Most Koreans seem to accept that the historical silence is evaporating and that homosexuality is becoming increasingly visible in their society; there is, however, concern that internalized homophobia may now find external expression. As the number of openly gay Koreans increases it is likely that the demand for civil rights will rise. Until there are more public and professional supporters of gay rights, it will be difficult for homosexuals to achieve civil rights and legal recognition. (LSR)

Title: Do Human Rights Exist for Korean Gay Men and Lesbians?
Author: Youn, Gahyun
Note: 12p.; Paper presented at the "Stigma, Human Rights, and Sexual Orientation-- International Perspective" symposium at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association (104th, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, August 9-13, 1996).
Publication Year: Aug 1996
Document Type: Conference Paper (150); Position Paper (120); Research Report (143)
Target Audience: Teachers and Practitioners
ERIC Identifier: ED400505
Clearinghouse Identifier: CG027428
This document is available from the ERIC Document Reproduction Service.

Descriptors: * Civil Liberties; Cultural Context; Foreign Countries; Homophobia; * Homosexuality; Lesbianism; * Sexuality; Social Change; Social History; * Social Values; Sociocultural Patterns

Identifiers: *Koreans; *South Korea