[SideB] "Gender Transitioned Sergeant and Sookdae Freshman, Great Strength in Courage" Transgender Organization Leader Kim Gyeoul

A Proud Minority, A Better World for the Non-Mainstream

Saved 30 Million Won for Surgery 4 Years Ago
Harassed by Sexual Violence and Bullying During School Days

"Must Constantly Prove Existence"
Entered University but Dropped Out Within a Year

On November 6th last year, Transgender Remembrance Day, Mr. Kim Gyeoul (Provided by Trans Liberation Front)

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] "I hope everyone can accept people as they are. I hope there is no discrimination. A world where everyone can feel everyday little happiness?that is liberation. No discrimination over trivial things, no bullying, and no suffering..."

Kim Gyeoul (27) is a transgender woman who underwent gender reassignment surgery four years ago. She realized she was different from others around the time she was about to enter elementary school. Since then, the thought "What am I?" never left her mind. Around the age of 13, she became certain that "I don't think I am a man," even if she wasn't sure about other things.

We met Kim at a cafe in Seocho-gu. She is the representative of "Trans Liberation Front," a group mainly composed of transgender people. David (27), a cisgender homosexual man who serves as the executive director, was also present. Cisgender refers to people whose biological sex at birth matches their gender identity. Both born in 1993, the two met while working in different human rights organizations.

During adolescence, to receive hormone injections, one had to visit a psychiatrist and take a "gender test." Although the injections are administered at obstetrics-gynecology or urology clinics, a psychiatrist's diagnosis is required. The test is called a "test" because the questions are strange and some people failed to pass. The questions are roughly like: "Did you like playing with dolls since childhood? Did you have more female friends?" Hospitals known for being "good" attract many people. Outside the metropolitan area, there are no hospitals where one can receive hormone injections.

After receiving an ID card, daily life became even harder. Trapped by the number 1, Kim had to constantly prove her existence.

"Whenever I showed my resident registration card, people at banks, hospitals, or anywhere would ask if I was really the person because of the number, and it was very exhausting. As these small experiences accumulated, I thought not just about surgery but about legally changing my gender. To do that, surgery was necessary."

Now she looks toward happiness, but at the time, without parental support, she saved 30 million won for surgery by working night shifts. After surgery, she stayed in the hospital for a month. Although discharged, her weakened physical strength forced her to rest at home for a year.

Severe Prejudice, Life Without Everyday Happiness
No Labor Rights Guaranteed for Transgender People
Negative Public Opinion Still Strong

Kim, who had grown her hair since she was 17, was constantly exposed to sexual violence during her school years. She was bullied for being different. She dropped out in her first year of high school, passed the qualification exam, and entered university but gave up after a few months.

"I entered university with a male resident registration number, but the prejudice against difference was severe. I couldn't endure it myself, so I quit."

David said it is not easy for transgender people to change their resident registration number. He said, "You can't do it alone; in the past, you had to get consent not only from your parents but also from your children if you had any. Also, the judge's discretion varies so much that even with a doctor's diagnosis, sometimes they would only decide after checking the genitals in the bathroom." Kim added, "I heard some people were told to take photos of their genitals in the bathroom."

Kim said, "Before surgery, my resume showed a male resident number, but during interviews, since I was a woman, it was not easy. Because I had to prepare surgery costs, I ended up working in entertainment establishments, and even after surgery, since it was still hard to find a job, I saw many returning to entertainment work." David added, "Basic safety guarantees like the four major insurances are out of the question, and even the spaces where they can work are limited."

Even if they legally obtain their desired gender, it is difficult to enter a "regular job" with the four major insurances. When they bring their resume, they are often asked questions like "Did you attend an all-boys or all-girls school?" or about gaps caused by surgery, forcing them to reveal that they are transgender. Once the fact is known, it is customary for the company to have them quit.

The march on Transgender Remembrance Day, November 6 last year (Provided by Trans Liberation Front)

Recently, transgender-related issues have come to the forefront of society. Sergeant Byeon Hee-soo, who was forcibly discharged from the army due to gender reassignment surgery, and a student who was admitted to Sookmyung Women's University but had her admission canceled, have spoken out. Even though transgender celebrity Harisu debuted 19 years ago, unexpectedly strong negative public opinion persists.

Kim said, "Because they were invisible to people's eyes, it is like racial discrimination; the fear of other groups often leads to hatred." She added, "Some might dislike transgender people who lived as men and suddenly decided to become women and excessively pursue femininity. But since we have settled as women, if I appear as a man, I could become a target of bullying or crime. Many women also experience oppression like having to be neat and wear makeup, which transgender women also express; it's a structural problem..."

David continued, "I don't think society will change by blaming individuals, but transgender men and women reveal themselves to survive. I hope people understand that structurally, individuals have no choice but to do so. It's a generalized error to say all transgender people are like this." Kim also emphasized, "Among transgender people, there are definitely 'de-corset' women who dislike makeup."

David explained, "It's an illusion created by an image. There are male exchange students at women's universities, and the idea that transgender people cause crimes is fiction." He said, "Like other minorities, because such illusory images are created, people think we could harm them."

Awareness Will Improve Through Courageous Voices
Enactment of Anti-Discrimination Law Is Essential
A Smooth and Peaceful Life Is Happiness
Hope Not to Be Consumed or Hated Because of Being Transgender
A World Where We Are Neither Heroes Nor Cursed

Having issues arise is not all bad. David said, "By transgender voices being heard, many people gain courage, and more people become interested in transgender lives, giving us opportunities to show ourselves. Negative perceptions may gradually decrease, and although some may dislike us inwardly..." Kim added, "They probably won't say it openly."

David said, "The current structure makes it seem natural for gays and transgender people to hide, but if an anti-discrimination law is enacted, new language will be created, and sensitivity can be built." Kim questioned, "Even if there is a murder law, murders still happen, but it can create a consensus that it is wrong and immoral, right?"

What is happiness to them?

Kim said a smooth life, a peaceful life, and sometimes meeting friends for a drink. She said, "It was not easy to feel everyday happiness until I finished surgery. After everything, the moments of feeling happiness in daily life are very precious."

David said, "A world where we are not consumed, exploited, or hated just because we revealed we are transgender. A world where we are neither heroes nor cursed?that would be great."

The backs of people marching on Transgender Remembrance Day, November 6 last year (Provided by Trans Liberation Front)