Queer in Pusan

ROK Daegu LGBT Pride Parade

Queer is an umbrella term for individuals who are non-heterosexual or non-cisgender. It is mostly used in gay and lesbian studies.The history of queer activism in South Korea is often told through the lens of Seoul. This city is known for its vibrant pride parades, politically protests, and significant media presence. However, activism has also emerged outside the capital. In Busan, Queer in Pusan (QIP) established as a student-led group. The group acknowledged that queer communities in Busan often face different situations compared to those in Seoul.

The emergence of QIP in regional context

QIP (Queer in Pusan) was founded at Pusan National University in 2013 as a small student group that dedicated to supporting sexual minorities on campus. Research shows that queer activism outside of Seoul operates under different condition. Busan, in particular, is seen as a 'periphery', where organised LGBT+ activism remains relatively limited and less visible. Local civic and university institutions have been slower to accept LGBTQ+ organizations, and the media rarely covers queer issues. In this context, QIP's early members adopted a form of activism that was focused on safety, education, and solidarity rather that public present.

Busan's local identity also influenced QIP's approach. Activism in the city has traditionally focused more on community organizing than on protest. QIP embraced this tradition by connecting itself with broader human rights and feminist movements instead of creating an isolated queer community. Through activities like film screenings, reading groups, art exhibitions, and quiet discussions, they fostered a safe environment where students could express their identities in everyday dialogue. This subtle approach, though less visible than radical parades, helped make queer life to be a natural part of campus culture.

Affective and gentle activism

QIP's activism can be understood through what scholars like Cho Joo-hyun and others describe as a form of affective activism— politics based on emotion, care, and community ties rather than confrontation. QIP's slogan, "언제나 퀴어하고 당당하게!!" ("Always queer and proud!!"), captures this spirit of gentle affirmation. Instead of opposing authority, QIP members tried to make queer life normal through participation and visibility. Their involvement in the Busan Queer Culture Festival, sharing handmade zines, and working with civic groups, demonstrate a politics of presence that values recognition over resistance. By choosing to work within university clubs and community networks, QIP practiced a careful form of resistance. They affirmed their existence and minimised exposure to institutional backlash. Their activism was radical not for its volume, but for its endurance and inclusivity.

Comparing QIP and Seoul's queer movements

Seoul Queer Pride Parade 2019, Gwanghwamun Plaza

The difference between QIP and Seoul's queer activism highlights the regional diversity of South Korea's LGBTQ+ movements. In Seoul, many organisations, especially those associated with the Seoul Queer Culture Festival, tend to focus on political visibility, legal rights, and direct challenges to government and religious power. Their events often include parades, drag performances, and bold slogans calling for equality. In contrast, research shows that ,in the periphery (such as Busan), LGBT+ activism operates under different conditions and tactics. Social, physical, and institutional distance from the capital shapes both their goals and methods.

Busan Queer Culture Festival

This distinction reflects both geography and strategy. In Seoul, strong media attention and active civil society make public expression empowering. While in Busan, where institutions are more conservative and social hierarchies are stronger, activists tend to take a sustainable path. QIP's work challenges the idea that queer liberation must always appear as public protest. It shows that "visibility" can take various forms depending on context, ranging from open advocacy to quiet acts of solidarity.

Legacy and transformation: from QIP to Que Sera

In recent years, QIP's influence has evolved into a new student club called Que Sera (케세라). In 2025, it was officially recognized by Pusan National University, the first time in the school's history that an LGBTQ student club received offical status. Although Que Sera operates under a new name, it continues QIP's legacy of inclusivity, dialogue, and gentle visibility. The club's social media emphasizes emotional well-being, education, and community support, carrying on the caring and relationship-based approach that QIP started nearly a decade ago. This institutional recognition also represents a symbolic shift. What began as an informal network has now become a visible and accepted part of campus life, showing slow but tangible progress in normalizing queer life in Busan.

Impact

The case of Queer in Pusan illustrates that activism does not always need to be loud to be effective. QIP's gentle and emotionally powerful strategies represented a form of quiet resistance, turning indifference into empathy and marginality into community. In this way, QIP broadened the definition of queer activism in South Korea. Its legacy, now carried on by Que Sera, shows that dignity, perseverance, and everyday visibility can be just as revolutionary as the vibrant parade.

References

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