This weekend the Korean capital hosted the annual Seoul Queer Culture Festival.<br />It's the 19th edition of an event that's been getting bigger and bigger.<br />Much of the festival was about celebrating identity and fighting discrimination.<br />But there were also demonstrations against it.<br />Our Choi Si-young was there. <br /><br />First held in 2000 and taking place in Seoul Plaza since 2015, this year's Seoul Queer Culture Festival drew thousands of visitors from Korea and beyond. <br />On display for the first time in Asia, the "Amsterdam Rainbow Dress" was the new attraction.<br />Made from the national flags of countries that criminalize homosexuality, the dress aims to raise awareness of the discrimination facing the LGBT community in the world.<br />When a country abolishes such laws, the flag is replaced with a rainbow flag.<br /><br />Another first at this year's event is the presence of feminist motorcyclists called the "Rainbow Riders." <br />They spoke out against the male-dominated motorcycle culture.<br />They joined the highlight of the festival, the "Pride Parade," calling for equal rights and an end to sexuality-based discrimination.<br /><br /><br />"I came with a friend. I think there should be no discrimination. It's just a personal orientation."<br /><br />Across the square, religious groups and anti-gay activists protested the festival and shouted slogans of condemnation.<br />They said the parade is obscene and corrupts the public place.<br /><br /><br />"We don't hate the LGBT community. We are here to rightfully inform young people of the various health risks associated with the lifestyle."<br /><br /><br />"Separated by this road, pro- and anti- LGBT activists are holding their respective rallies on the opposite sides of the street." <br /><br />South Korea remains divided over its approach to LGBT issues,... and the differences are pronounced along generational lines.<br />The hope is that the rival views can find some middle ground in the near future.<br /><br />Choi Si-young, Arirang News. <br />
