Korean-American Candidates Walk Fine Line on Prop. 8 Ruling
Koreans across California have been voicing their opposition to last week’s ruling to overturn Proposition 8, reports the Korea Times, although some are also coming out in favor of the decision. The split may force
Korean-American candidates in the Bay Area to walk a fine line when it comes to the Prop. 8 ruling.
Dong-hak Lee, pastor of the San Francisco So Mang Presbyterian Church, was quoted as describing gay marriage as “unforgivable,” adding that his congregation is planning to join the upcoming protests in the Bay Area against the ruling.
Others are celebrating the decision as a victory for human rights and equality. In a Facebook message sent out soon after the ruling, Jane Kim, a second-generation Korean American and current president of the San Francisco Board of Education, wrote in English, “Sending good energy and courage to everyone in our community that has been working so hard on this crucial civil rights issue.”
Jennifer Pae, who is running for a seat on the Oakland City Council, also came out in support of the decision, saying the ruling was important for equality and for the “many gays in our community.”
Although Korean-American candidates have voiced support for the decision to overturn Prop. 8, many in the Korean community --especially older, first-generation immigrants -- are not there yet, according to Yong-ho Kim of the progressive Los Angeles-based Korean Resource Center. Kim told the Korea Times that Koreans “may not yet be ready to constructively debate the issue.”
Korean-American candidates in the Bay Area to walk a fine line when it comes to the Prop. 8 ruling.
Dong-hak Lee, pastor of the San Francisco So Mang Presbyterian Church, was quoted as describing gay marriage as “unforgivable,” adding that his congregation is planning to join the upcoming protests in the Bay Area against the ruling.
Others are celebrating the decision as a victory for human rights and equality. In a Facebook message sent out soon after the ruling, Jane Kim, a second-generation Korean American and current president of the San Francisco Board of Education, wrote in English, “Sending good energy and courage to everyone in our community that has been working so hard on this crucial civil rights issue.”
Jennifer Pae, who is running for a seat on the Oakland City Council, also came out in support of the decision, saying the ruling was important for equality and for the “many gays in our community.”
Although Korean-American candidates have voiced support for the decision to overturn Prop. 8, many in the Korean community --especially older, first-generation immigrants -- are not there yet, according to Yong-ho Kim of the progressive Los Angeles-based Korean Resource Center. Kim told the Korea Times that Koreans “may not yet be ready to constructively debate the issue.”
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