The Stories of South Korean Religious Lesbians
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The stories of South Korean religious lesbians The stories of South Korean religious lesbians: The voices of the women struggling with ceaseless conflicts by Hyunjoo Woo A Thesis Submitted to Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Women and Gender Studies June, 2017, Halifax, Nova Scotia Copyright Hyunjoo Woo, 2017 Approved: Dr. Michele Byers Supervisor Approved: Dr. Val Marie Johnson Reader Approved: Dr. Maria Gomez Examiner Date: June 7, 2017 The stories of South Korean religious lesbians Abstract The stories of South Korean religious lesbians: The voices of the women struggling with ceaseless conflicts by Hyunjoo Woo Abstract: I explore how Korean religions affect South Korean lesbians’ identities and lives by capturing the perspectives of Korean lesbians who are Presbyterian, Catholic and Buddhist through this study. This study aims to raise awareness of conflicts caused by the religions through testimonies provided in the lesbians’ own voices and to find ways to unravel the conflicts and improve relationships at the intersection of lesbian identity, religion, family, and members of South Korean society. Therefore, this research centers on the first-person accounts and stories of religious Korean lesbians. Six South Korean religious lesbians were interviewed, and the women’s stories were reconstructed as autobiographic narratives based on feminist standpoint theory to consider the importance of understanding each woman’s self-perception as a religious lesbian in South Korea. June 7, 2017. ii The stories of South Korean religious lesbians Acknowledgements I deeply appreciate the participants: J, Eunwoo, H, Ryeosu, Sujin, and Jihwon. They willingly shared their life stories of religious lesbians with me. I laughed a lot when they told me their stories which were full of witty expressions, and cried a lot as well when they poured out their other stories, which conveyed their anger and sadness. Thanks to them, I could take a long walk on an emotional road. I hope that this research can contribute to making their lives as lesbians be filled with more smiles than tears. My supervisor, Dr. Michele Byers, encouraged me to be brave and confident of my work. Whenever I felt frustrated with or dubious about my research and language, her feedback and guidance enabled me to stand up and go forward. In addition, I had various opportunities to enjoy studying thanks to her help. I cannot express in words how much I appreciate her support. I also thank Dr. Val Marie Johnson, my thesis committee member. Her detailed feedback and thoughtful comments helped me to be on the right track. I should mention my precious friends who have supported and encouraged me to walk my way: Tong, Jihae (Jung), Jeongjin, Hyunjung (Ann), Hyemin (Byeorang), Inhee (Sina), Jiwon, and Seonha. Their warm words make me not lose the confidence in my ability and not feel lonely even though all of us live here and there in the world. And, my parents. How can I describe the depth of gratitude for their immeasurable love and support in a few sentences? I sincerely thank them for everything that they gave me. It enables me to be who I am. I love you, love you so much, mom and dad. iii The stories of South Korean religious lesbians Finally, thank you, God. Thank you for all opportunities including conducting this research. I strongly believe that you stand on the side of all sexual minorities, and in the end, you will lead all people to equal happiness. iv The stories of South Korean religious lesbians Table of Contents Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………..ii Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………………...iii CHAPTER 1…………………………………………………………………………1 1.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………1 1.1.1 Purpose of Research.….…………………………………………………………5 1.1.2 Significance……...………………………………………………………………9 CHAPTER 2………………………………………………………………………...11 2.1 Usage of Terms in the South Korean Context………………………………………11 2.1.1 Homosexuality.………………………………………………………………12 2.1.2 Lesbian….………………………………………………………………………12 2.1.3 Gay….…………………………………………………………………………..13 2.1.4 Anti-gay.………………………………………………………………………..13 2.1.5 Homophobia……………………………………………………………………14 2.1.6 Queer…………………………………………………………………………14 2.2 Literature Review…………………………………………………………………….15 2.2.1 Lesbian Identification………………………………………………………….16 2.2.2 Three religions in Korea………………………………………………………21 Presbyterianism……………………………………………………………...21 Catholicism……………………………………………………………………22 Buddhism……………………………………………………………………...24 CHAPTER 3…………………………………………………………………….25 3.1 Theory and Methodology…………………………………………………………25 3.1.1 Feminist standpoint theory…………………………………………………….25 3.1.2 Narrative inquiry………………………………………………………………28 3.2 Designing the Research……………………………………………………………32 3.2.1 Case selection………………………………………………………………….32 Participant Characteristics…………………………………………………….33 3.2.2 Data Collection………………………………………………………………..35 Interview Process and Protocols………………………………………………35 v The stories of South Korean religious lesbians Documents…………………………………………………………………….36 3.2.3 Data Analysis………………………………………………………………….37 Transcription……………………………………………………………………..37 Translation……………………………………………………………………….38 3.3 Limitations………………………………………………………………………….40 CHAPTER 4………………………………………………………………………41 4.1 Findings Part One: A long journey of conflicts surrounding lesbian identity...42 4.1.1 Self-identification J: I’m raising a child named J……………………………………………………42 Eunwoo Park: I was lonely………………………………………………………45 H: I was like a flower in a conservatory…………………………………………46 Ryeosu: I’m a special one………………………………………………………..49 Sujin: I’m not abnormal, finally………………………………………………….51 Jihwon: I wanted to be a fabulous unni………………………………………….52 Summary A………………………………………………………………………53 4.1.2 Coming out J: Bullied or prejudiced…………………………………………………………..54 Eunwoo: Lesbian only…………………………………………………………...55 H: I was always prepared, but in other ways…………………………………….55 Reoysu: No coming out anymore………………………………………………..55 Sujin: I should teach those stupid people there…………………………………..56 Jihwon: No thank you……………………………………………………………58 Summary B………….…………………………………………………………...58 4.1.3 Family J: I want my mom to be happy…………………………………………………...59 Eunwoo: Angry but sorry………………………………………………………...60 H: I want to remain a good daughter…………………………………………….62 Ryeosu: She knows, but she doesn’t know………………………………………63 Sujin: Sorry and thank you………………………………………………………64 Jihwon: Never ever………………………………………………………………65 Summary C………………………………………………………………………66 4.2 Findings Part Two: A long journey of conflicts between lesbian identity and religion.67 4.2.1 Presbyterian J: Feeling like a child who disappoints her parents………………………….67 Eunwoo Park: I don’t need that kind of church anymore……………………69 Summary A…………………………………………………………………..74 4.2.2 Catholic vi The stories of South Korean religious lesbians H: They stand on the side of those who are in need…………………………75 Ryeosu: “Who said it’s a sin?” ……………………………………………...78 Summary B…………………………………………………………………..81 4.2.3 Buddhist Sujin: It’s okay as long as you aren’t suffering……………………………...82 Jihwon: It sets me free. I hope you can find it as well……………………….85 Summary C…………………………………………………………………..88 CHAPTER 5……………………………………………………………………….90 5.1 Discussion Part One: I am a lesbian in a heterosexual world………………………..91 5.1.1 Self-perception of being different and acknowledgement of self……………..91 5.1.2 Building relationships with others: Conflicts between identities……………..97 5.2 Discussion Part Two: I am a religious lesbian in a hetero sexual, religious world...101 5.2.1 Lesbians and the Korean Presbyterian Church ………………………………102 5.2.2 Lesbians and the Korean Catholic Church…………………………………106 5.2.3 Lesbians and the Korean Buddhist Order…………………………………109 5.3 Discussion Part Three: The journey is not over yet………………………………….111 CHAPTER 6………………………………………………………………………116 6.1 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………116 6.2 Final comments from the participants……………………………………………..122 REFERENCES………………………………………………………………….……..126 APPENDICES…………………………………………………………………………135 Appendix A 차별금지법 법무부 입법예고안(2007 년 초안) [The pre-announcement of legislation of Anti-discrimination Act (Draft, 2007)].……………………………………………...135 Appendix B……………………………………………………………………………..139 Informed Consent form (English)……………………………………………………….139 Informed Consent form (Korean)……………………………………………………….142 Appendix C……………………………………………………………………………..145 vii The stories of South Korean religious lesbians Interview Protocol I (English)……….………………………………………………….145 Interview Protocol I (Korean)….……….………………………………………………146 Interview Protocol II (English)…….…………………………………………………...148 Interview Protocol II (Korean) ….………………………………………………….......149 viii The stories of South Korean religious lesbians ix The stories of South Korean religious lesbians CHAPTER 1 1.1 Introduction It happened in a corner of Seoul City Hall Square on June 28, 2015. Dancers were performing the traditional Korean fan dance in a sweat, and people around them were eagerly waving South Korean national flags in one hand and holding the signs in the other. It was the last day of the Korea Queer Culture Festival 2015: a parade day. Were the dancers and the flag wavers supporters of the festival? There is a funny story related to this scene. One of the foreign reporters who was there thought the people dancing were celebrating the festival, so, in the caption accompanying his photo of the dancers, he described them as Queer Culture supporters wearing traditional Korean costumes, dancing on the last day of the festival. However, he had to correct