Recently, an article posted by an LGBTQIA student on "Everytime," caused a controversy. Even though the post is likely to be written by LGBTQIA students, what made the controversy was that people put up comments based on "hatred." The person who wrote the comment included seriously bad things that should never have been said. 

On March 8th, one post was uploaded, "I am a transgender (who changed gender identity from male to female) attending Pusan National University. There is a problem with the dormitory." The writer said. "When I spend time with my male roommate or take a shower or go to the bathroom... I feel quite ashamed and uncomfortable. I want to enter a unisex dormitory or the Jayu-Gwan, women’ dormitory of Pusan National University (PNU), but the school won't let it. Before I ask the school, I am looking for a transgender person who would like to suggest PNU with me." 

The writer wrote for “talking.” It may be controversial, but the writer thought the problem was worth taking a constructive discussion. Some comments even showed serious approaches to the problem. One of the site users said, "I know how it feels. But since it's a sensitive matter, the writer should have thought deeply before posting it." Another user wrote, "We should consider the anxiety and shame of others." Like this, opinions against the article were surging. 

However, the comments with harsh nuance rose one after another; "Non-surgical transgender is a mental disorder," "I threw up because of this article," and "The idea is so disgusting,” and so on. At last, the writer replied, "No hatred comments, because I posted it with courage," but vicious replies continued. Such comments were on the community site where the original capture version was posted. After all, the writer said, "I am hurt. Now I am afraid that I'll be specified and be outed. I am also scared to leave the post, but I left it because there was someone who left a comment with sincerity." 

This situation was extremely challenging. Those hateful comments can block the progress of the discussion. In other words, "hatred" stopped the opportunity for serious discussions of LGBTQIA around campus. A full-time counselor at the Human Rights Counseling Office of PNU Student Human Rights Center said, "It is reasonable to appeal the discomfort and demand for one's right." In addition, regarding the response to the post, "It is indeed a sensitive issue, but we should refrain from excessive comments."

Reporter Im Ha-Eun

Translated by Shin Ji-Won