Dari Project hosts four sessions at the 20th annual Korean American College Student Conference, Princeton University

March 24-25, 2006

Dari Project hosted four sessions on LGBT Korean identity, struggle and community at KASCON 2006 at Princeton University, reaching over 100 students and community members. Dari Project Coordinating Committee members Un Jung Lim and Stephen Kang moderated two panels and facilitated two discussion sessions.

Descriptions of the two panels are below. A video of speaker highlights and photos are shown at right (also viewable on the “Images” page). And, a press release from KASCON is included here.

Day 1: Coming Out in Queer Korean America

What is life like for those of us living life as queer LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) Koreans and Korean Americans?  As people of Korean descent, and as folks who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer, we struggle with a unique set of issues.  These include questions around coming out as LGBTQ, dealing with family members, and educating our communities.  How have we found different ways to negotiate those opportunities and challenges, while building lives for ourselves?  How have heterosexual and non-LGBTQ people in our lives been supportive (or not) of our struggles and life paths?  This panel discussion will explore the personal perspectives and stories of people who live with these questions every day.

Speakers:

1. ‣John Jung
   

2. ‣Stephen Kang
   

3. ‣Sel Whang
   

4. ‣H.L.
   

5. ‣Un-Jung Lim, moderator
   

Day 2: Building a (Queer) Korean/American Community

Although their presence may not have been visible, queer folk have always been part of the Korean and Korean American community.  However, homo/bi/transphobia still exists within the community, and often has deep effects on the way LGBTQ folk and their families live their lives.  They often struggle to find spaces that are affirming of their Korean American and immigrant identities, as well as their LGBTQ ones.  This panel will discuss the various ways that have worked to address those issues, and talk about why homo/bi/transphobia is not just an issue that just affects LGBTQs, but has an impact on all Koreans and Korean Americans.  The panel will talk about the role of heterosexual allies in the struggles of LGBTQ people, and how ongoing efforts to end homo/bi/transphobia in the Korean American community connect to broader social justice movements.

Speakers:

1. ‣John Jung
   

2. ‣Pauline Park
   

3. ‣Stephen Kang, moderator