Prayer for More Rainbows
더 많은 무지개를 위한 기도
2021 육우당 추모기도회 기도 영상
Commemorating Yukoodang 육우당: His life and death
Warm greetings.
We are writing to you, in faith and hope, to share a story about the life and death of a queer activist in South Korea who called himself “Yukoodang.” Yukoodang means “My Six Friends” and he wrote that his Yukoo (六友) were “alcohol, cigarettes, sleeping pills, make-up foundation, green tea, and a rosary.”
Yukoodang, a 19-year-old gay youth, committed suicide on April 26, 2003, in his office at Donginryun, Solidarity for LGBTQ Human Rights of Korea, which had also been his nightly shelter away from his family since he was a minor.
Yukoodang was a devoted Catholic. His baptismal name was Antonio. In spite of his frustration with his church, Yukoodang’s last words in his will were that he loved Catholicism and that his God would bless Donginryun.
Yukoodang came out in middle school and endured daily bullying, violence, and harassment. He supported himself after quitting high school and running away from home. He became a very active member of the LGBTQ movement. He regularly sent donations to Donginryun by saving his pocket money. He wrote many opinion pieces for newspapers, denouncing discrimination against LGBTQ people and demanding a repeal of the anti-gay clause in the Juvenile Protection Act. Under the rainbow flag, he enthusiastically joined rallies against the war in Iraq.
At his death, Yukoodang left a six-page letter next to his body, a rosary and a cross on his desk, and about 30 dollars for donation, which was all he had.
He said in his will:
“Please use this money for the liberation of sexual minorities. Brothers and sisters, please don’t forget that only your efforts can make an impact for our next generation.”
In his suicide note, Yukoodang wrote:
“The God I believe in will accept me.”
He also expressed anger and criticism toward homophobia and discrimination against LGBTQ people, particularly from the Christian Right.
“How cruel and anti-biblical it is to discriminate against sexual minorities. After death, I can proudly say that I am gay, with no need to suffer, no need to hide myself anymore. … If, with my death, I can repeal the anti-gay clause in the Juvenile Protection Act and enlighten the bigoted Christians who talk of Sodom and Gomorrah, I would give my life.”
Yukoodang’s death raised awareness about LGBTQ youth in Korean society. Many LGBTQ people came out onto the street to challenge the bigoted view that homosexuality was harmful to the nation’s youth. For the first time, the LGBTQ movement found Christian allies who would stand up for LGBTQ rights against the Christian Right. The anti-gay clause in the Juvenile Protection Act was repealed in 2004.
Since 2007, Rainbow Christians and allies have commemorated Yukoodang’s life every April on the anniversary of his death. Each year that Rainbow Jesus Alliance gathers for prayer and remembrance, more pictures of the beloved ones we lost stand beside Yukoodang’s picture on the communion table and more personal articles are placed next to Yukoodang’s rosary and cross.
Yukoodang’s death has become a pivotal turning point in queer history in Korea, as well as in the Christian narrative of queer liberation theology. Korean Rainbow United remembers Yukoodang as part of our commitment to queer liberation, faith, memory, and solidarity.
The Song of Paradise
“Come already, Come already, the world of peace!
Come already, eating up the world of dark night.
Come flowing on the Milky Way,
like the flower petal on the river.
Come already, the world of beauty, equality and peace,
The world that protects homosexuals,
The world that respects the disabled,
The world that is hospitable to all of Black descent.
Dear Paradise, when your day comes,
Everyone will rejoice day and night,
Dancing merrily with all peoples,
In the joy of paradise.”
— Yukoodang’s sijo
