Korean Rainbow United logoKRU
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Introduction

AboutKRU

A loose solidarity network of Korean queer people, allies, clergy, and lay leaders active within The United Church of Canada.

A Korean queer and ally network in The United Church of Canada

We are not alone.

Faith-rooted, queer-affirming, Korean-speaking solidarity for communities seeking dignity, healing, and liberation.

Korean Rainbow United is a loose solidarity network of Korean queer people, allies, clergy, and lay leaders active within The United Church of Canada. KRU joins movements in Korea and beyond that resist stigma and discrimination caused by homophobic and heterosexist readings, interpretations, and teachings of scripture.

At GC32 in 1988, The United Church of Canada made a historic decision to welcome all people as full members of the church regardless of sexual orientation and to affirm that all members are eligible to be ordained as ministers. The Living Apology Project, launched by Affirm United and The United Church of Canada in 2019 and completed in 2021, revisited the tears, advocacy, conflict, community wounds, healing, and affirming journeys connected to that decision.

For many partner churches, including churches connected to Korea, the 1988 commitment to becoming an inclusive and welcoming church is not only a memory from the past. It remains an ongoing struggle in the present.

The United Church of Canada begins A New Creed with the confession, ‘We are not alone.’ In the spirit of global ecumenism and partnership, KRU stands against movements in Korea and beyond that disguise prejudice, misunderstanding, and hatred as love and justice while producing condemnation, discrimination, exclusion, and harm against LGBTQIA+ people.

KRU seeks to strengthen Korean Christian alliances that stand in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ people, including Rainbow Yesu in Korea, and to witness that Korean queer people and allies are never alone.

Vision & Mission

Vision

We hope to continue the ministry of Jesus by nurturing a world where equality and welcome replace exclusion and discrimination.

Mission

We stand with movements in Korea and beyond that resist the stigma and discrimination caused by homophobic and heterosexist readings, interpretations, and teachings of scripture.

Affirming Church

Affirming ministry helps communities become safer and more welcoming places where people of all gender identities and sexual orientations can fully belong and participate.

  • There is a story of liberation within scripture.
  • There is a prophetic call to sing justice with joy and imagination.
  • There is the way of Jesus that witnesses to God’s equal love.

Core Ministries

  • Translate LGBTQIA+-affirming United Church resources and queer theology resources into Korean.
  • Create prayers, songs, and educational videos shaped by an affirming Christian spirit.
  • Participate in the annual Yook Woo Dang memorial prayer gathering every April.
  • Support formation and solidarity among Korean LGBTQIA+ seminarians, candidates for ministry, clergy, lay leaders, and allies.