A Queer Question For Korean Churches
Introduction
In August 2019
In August 2019, Pastor Lee Donghwan was referred to a trial of his denomination, the Korean Methodist Church, and sanctioned for two years of suspension from ministry for blessing sexual minorities publicly at Incheon Queer Culture Festival. Such discipline stunned not only Pastor Lee, but also his fellow pastors, seminarians, and all other queer and ally Christians, both churched and unchurched, because it demonstrated how discriminatory Korean churches’ perception of LGBTQ+ people is.
“Blessing is not a sin!”
Under slogans like, “Blessing is not a sin!” or “Pastor Lee is innocent!” his advocates formed the Countermeasures Committee for Pastor Lee Dong-hwan and accompanied him in the trial process. They also kept a 26-day vigil in a tent in front of the Headquarters of the denomination, waiting for an appeals trial that had never been held. The Methodist court, however, being conscious of what churches and the public would say, intentionally delayed the process and eventually decided not to open an appeal, confirming the original disciplinary action. Nevertheless, people did not stop shouting toward the Methodist Church and the wider Christian Church in Korea; it rather became louder. The court’s decision led Pastor Lee and those who resisted with him to share and reaffirm their passion for change.
A Queer Question For Korean Churches
The strengthened voice gave birth to Q&A, an organization serving as a queer question for Korean churches. Q&A educates, guides, and encourages churches to eradicate their deep-rooted prejudice and misunderstanding of sexual minorities that have generated hate and discrimination so that they could become a safe and affirming community for all.
Secretariat
Lee Dong-hwan
Seo Da-eun
Movement
Faith Movement
By updating the language for worship and developing pastoral manuals for queer miniseries, Q&A aims to create a new path of faith to ensure no one is marginalized in communities of worship.
Organizational Movement
Q&A is well-aware of the power of solidarity. Thus, we intend to create a network of rainbow churches where they could exchange their experiences and support one another. We also plan to hold gatherings of queer Christians and of their parents.
Transformative Movement
Q&A campaigns for changes not only in local churches but also in the wider Korean Church. For this, we prepare relevant activities, including collecting cases of discrimination and monitoring how human rights are being upheld in Christian denominations, as well as pushing them to abrogate denominational principles that discriminate against minorities.
Cultural Movement
Q&A expects to create a Christian culture that all can enjoy and appreciate without worrying about their gender identity or sexual orientation to be criticized or unexpectedly revealed. We host and support different cultural activities, such as queer-affirming book and film clubs.
Q&A will make every effort to create a world where everyone’s uniqueness is respected and diversity is celebrated. We strive to build a church, safe and equal to all. Please send your love and support to Q&A, a queer question for Korean churches. Thank you!