The Incheon Queer Culture Festival Organizing Committee announced its plan to hold the 9th annual festival next month, urging the Incheon Metropolitan Government to withdraw its appeal in the ongoing legal dispute over the use of the public plaza and to establish relevant guidelines.

During a press conference held in front of Incheon City Hall on the 22nd, the organizing committee announced that the 9th Incheon Queer Culture Festival will take place on October 17 under the slogan "The Rainbow Beside You."

The festival is scheduled to feature booth events, performances, and a march at the Incheon Aetteul plaza. Additionally, the committee plans to hold a joint screening event with the Incheon Human Rights Film Festival and Incheon Women's Film Festival at Art Cinema Juan on October 16, the day before the festival.

The committee stated that it submitted an application to use the plaza to the city's general affairs division on the 17th and has not yet received a notification of approval. They maintain their stance that the festival will proceed as scheduled regardless of whether the application is approved.

During the press conference for the 9th Incheon Queer Culture Festival held at Incheon City Hall's Aetteul plaza on the 22nd, Han Hae-bom, an individual identifying as a sexual minority, delivers a remark. (Photo: Reporter Shim Hyung-sik)

Previously, the Incheon Metropolitan Government refused to accept the committee's notification of plaza use, citing difficulties in maintaining public order and potential social conflicts. In February, the Incheon District Court ruled that the city's refusal should be revoked, but the city filed an appeal, and the related lawsuit is currently ongoing.

At the press conference, the organizing committee demanded that Incheon City withdraw its appeal and establish non-discriminatory operational standards for the use of the public plaza.

Han Hae-bom, a sexual minority individual, stated, "The festival is a place to affirm that it is okay for me to exist right here as my true self. I hope the festival continues so that sexual minorities do not have to hide their identities and can build a local community where everyone is respected."

Choi Yoon-seok, an attorney with MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Incheon Chapter) representing the lawsuit, argued, "Incheon City must withdraw its appeal and set up non-discriminatory plaza management standards. The rights of minorities should not be conditioned on the approval of the majority."