Rainbow Teen Safe Space

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues around the world, and social distancing measures increase in South Korea as well as other places, we are able to continue to support LGBTQIA+ youth in these difficult times thanks to the help of our supporters. From the bottom of our hearts, we are so thankful to you all.

We’d like to update you on some of DDing Dong’s activities during the second half of 2020.

#T_GO!

Spaces where transgender queer youth can share their stories and experiences, as well as imagine and envision future opportunities and possibilities are rare. Because of this, DDing Dong saw the necessity of developing a special program to make this type of space possible, and in 2020 created a program called T_GO! Five transgender queer youth gathered on three consecutive Saturdays in October to meet and get to know each other. They also met one additional time together with a medical doctor, and had the opportunity to have any medical related questions they had answered. Through their four meetings, the youth were able to get to know each other and to begin to build and imagine their futures.

#DDing Dong Pocha

Following the spread of COVID-19 in 2020, DDing Dong has not been able to conduct our street outreach program DDing Dong Pocha. Prior to COVID-19, we met with youth every first Saturday of the month. After much consideration, DDing Dong Pocha decided to do outreach online instead. On Saturday, November 7 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., DDing Dong hosted an open chat for LGBTQIA teenage youth and was able to talk with seven teenage LGBTIA youth about their daily lives as LGBTQIA youth. In addition to chatting, participants also took part in an activity that DDing Dong prepared called “Queer Quiz Time,” and received online coupons for participating.  

#Challenge! HIV-ster!

In 2020, DDing Dong considered how we could better provide HIV/AIDS education to youth. Through funding received from the Northeastern NPO Center, we created and produced an educational card game named Challenge! HIV-ster! (HIV Master). On Thursday, November 12, we met with 13 staff members from youth-related organizations based in northeastern Seoul to conduct basic training and education about HIV/AIDS.

Through quizzes and matching exercises, participants were able to learn the information contained in our card game, and gain a better understanding of HIV/AIDS in an approachable and step-by-step manner. We will continue to spread human-rights information about HIV/AIDS through our game Challenge! HIV-ster! (HIV Master) in the future as well.

Because of social distancing restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of young people visiting our center has decreased. Youth support centers across the country have been hurting from reduced funding and programming due to the pandemic, and youth living outside of Seoul are having an especially difficult time accessing services and receiving support. As a result, LGBTQIA+ youth outside of Seoul especially are suffering from feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Due to shelter-in-place requirements beginning in February, schools continue to all be conducted via internet and video chat. Because of this, it is even more difficult for LGBTQIA+ youth to stay safe and avoid conflict with family members. In addition, LGBTQIA+ youth struggle as their privacy is violated by their parents (surveillance of social media and internet activity, restrictions on going out, etc).

This is in addition to the discrimination that many LGBTQIA+ youth continue to face because of their gender and sexual identity. DDing Dong recorded cases of discrmination against LGBTQIA+ youth at schools, youth shelters, group homes, medical institutions, and government offices (neighborhood and community centers, office for reporting for mandatory military service).The forms of discrimination recorded were hate speech, refusal to provide services, and indirect discrimination.

#Rainbow Kits to support LGBTQIA+ teenagers living independently From March to July 2020,

we delivered Rainbow Kits to 30 LGBTQIA+ youth

Since 2017, DDing Dong has been steadily making and delivering Rainbow Kits to LGBTQIA+ teenagers. Rainbow Kits contain food and living necessities to support LGBTQIA+ teenagers who are living independently from their families. In addition to providing a Rainbow Kit, DDing Dong checks in with the youth monthly to see how they are doing, if they are healthy, and what kind of support they may need.

#COVID-19 Emergency Living Expenses Support

Thanks to the generosity of DDing Dong and our supporters, emergency living support was provided to seven LGBTQIA+ youth between May and July.

In the first half of 2020, many unexpected things happened. With the spread of COVID-19, young people were forced to take unpaid leave without no guarantee they would be able to return to the job. Because of this, many had to reduce their food expenses and look for any possible part-time work to pay rent.

As the effects of COVID-19 continue to be ongoing, we will continue to do our best to support LGBTQIA+ youth in the second half of 2020, and do all that we can to create a better life, society, and environment for all.

#Rainbow Wing

From May through June, we conducted our “Rainbow Wing” project twice with the “Saram Maeum Trauma Healing Center”. The goal of the progam is to help address issues that contribute to suicide and self-harm among LGBTQIA+ youth. Participants explored how to identify emotions, as well as how emotions and actions are connected, and how to observe and describe their feelings.

#Daegu, Gyeongbuk 10th Sexual Minority Support Project 'Todak Todak Memo’

In June and July, we visited LGBTQIA+ youth in Daegu and Gyeongbuk to show our support for them during the spread of COVID-19.

Through the KakaoTalk chatting platform, 33 LGBTQIA+ youth shared their current status and feelings with us. DDing Dong volunteers responded to each of the youth with encouragement, and also sent meal and snack coupons to them.