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Homophobia likely behind the apparent suicide of Korean actor/model Kim Ji-Hoo

by
snicks

What tragic news to have to share: Twenty-three-year-old Korean fashion model and actor Kim Ji-Hoo was found dead in his home this week. What is being considered by police to be a suicide suicide note was simple but heartbreaking:"I'm lonely and in a difficult situation. Please cremate my body."

According to police reports, it was the reaction to his coming out that caused the young man to hang himself:

Police said his suicide reflects public prejudice toward gay people and their difficulty in succeeding in the entertainment industry.
Following the announcement of his sexual orientation, Kim's management agency did not renew his contract and many TV programs and fashion shows cancelled his appearances. His blog was bombarded with numerous messages denouncing his sexual orientation.
"He underwent many professional and personal difficulties following his coming-out,'' Kim's mother said during police questioning.

And hatred and ignorance claim another victim. When will this end? It's easy to say "Well, that's Korea, though. Their culture isn't as supportive to gays." But is it really that different? Sunday is the 10-year anniversary of the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard, and lives are still being lost to hatred and fear at home and abroad.

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    • Submitted by
    snicks
    on Wed, 2008-10-08 16:17.
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    David Ehrenstein's picture

    This is why we must resolve to FIGHT BACK

    Submitted by
    David Ehrenstein (6310 points) (1402 posts)
    on Wed, 2008-10-08 16:45.

    Clearly he had few friends or allies. We do. We must never let our guard down. We must ALWAYS fight together. And when we do, we win.

     

    BEING OUT IS RIGHT. BEING OUT IS JUST. BEING OUT IS ESSENTIAL!

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    Hephaestion's picture

    This breaks my heart

    Submitted by
    Hephaestion (295 points) (66 posts)
    on Wed, 2008-10-08 19:01.
    This breaks my heart, and I hope gay people in Korea will use this sad event to become more determined to achieve acceptance and equality instead of getting more depressed.  Gay people in every country on earth, even the most "accepting," still have a long way to go. 
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    Hyeokish's picture

    Present conditions in Korea

    Submitted by
    Hyeokish (15 points) (4 posts)
    on Thu, 2008-10-16 22:52.

    Unfortunately, It is hard for Korean LGBT people to use this happening to achieve equality. Also, for them, to bond together is also next to impossible in Korea, the country where even prohibition law about sexuality discrimination has failed to pass. Because, compared with the population of gay people, there are so many homophobics, I think the saying 'United we stand, divided we fall' is not for Korean gay people.

    And five celebs died in this yr in Korea, three of them took their own life, Kim Jihoo is one of them, and the major cause of their suicide is dis comments. So, almost people think the reason why he has committed suicide is just some kind of bad comments, not homophobian disdain.

    Additionally, Lee Myeongbak, the president of Korea, said no homosexuality. And national textbooks, such as Morality or Society/Curture, teaches that homosexuals are sinners. :-X

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