A New United Church Global Partner in South Korea, Q&A is cultivating a queer-ally community for LGBTQIA+ Christians facing discrimination
The reality faced by LGBTQIA+ Christians in South Korean society and churches remains harsh. With most denominations defining homosexuality as a sin and amplifying voices of hate, many individuals suffer while hiding their identities, and many eventually leave their beloved faith communities.
Breaking down these high walls of discrimination and ensuring that everyone can find wholeness within God's love is essential. To do this, Q&A (Queer Question for Korean Churches), a grassroots Christian non-profit organization based in Seoul, is spearheading core projects to support LGBTQIA+ individuals through counselling, training courses for allies, and educational programs.
The United Church of Canada is supporting Q&A through a new partnership, accompanying the organization’s efforts to build an inclusive, transformative faith movement, while advocating against discriminatory denominational policies against sexual and gender minorities, and developing educational resources for affirming ministries.
Q&A was established in 2019, born out of urgency following the church trial of Rev. Donghwan Lee. Rev. Lee was subjected to a trial and excommunicated by his denomination for his allyship with LGBTQIA+ communities, and for offering a blessing prayer at the 2019 Seoul/Incheon Queer Pride Festival. This heartbreaking event revealed a deep crisis facing LGBTQIA+ people and allies in Korea.
Shall We Walk Together?
While general counselling for LGBTQIA+ individuals exists in Korea, there is a total void of specialized Christian and LGBTQIA+ counselling that deeply understands the conflict between faith and identity. In a reality where church is no longer viewed as a safe space, Q&A designed a program to provide soul care that heals the experiences of discrimination and violence while helping queer Christians restore their religious identity.
"I feel a sense of pride in walking alongside counselees as they rediscover the precious gems they had hidden away."
"Shall We Walk Together?" is a pastoral counselling initiative offered by a group of counselling majors from Ewha Women's University, under the guidance of Professor Hee-kyu Park, an ally and activist-counsellor. Q&A prioritizes accessibility, offering free sessions for those who identify as queer Christians. To overcome regional barriers, the sessions are offered in-person in Seoul and online for those in rural areas or abroad.
Counsellors describe this process as the practice of true pastoral ministry. Offering recovery for those wounded by violent messages from the pulpit, the program serves as a space of healing, where counselees embody the call that God did not make a mistake when creating them. As one project counsellor put it, "I feel a sense of pride in walking alongside counselees as they rediscover the precious gems they had hidden away."
Christian Ally Education
The anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment in the Korean Church often stems from distorted interpretations based on biblical inerrancy. Recognizing that external criticism alone cannot change the church, Q&A designed an educational course to cultivate Christian allies who can advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights using the church's own language and logic.
The Christian Ally Education program follows a four-week curriculum, digging into queer myths and misconceptions, LGBTQIA+ identities, the Bible and theological reinterpretation, and practices for creating a welcoming church community.
The program is built on interactive communication in a safe environment, where participants can honestly assess their current perceptions without fear of being judged for their lack of understanding. It produces professional materials for allies, such as videos, PowerPoint presentations, workbooks, and training guides to lead discussions within their respective churches.
One participant, who is a pastor’s spouse, shared: "It is a difficult topic to bring up in my current environment, but I believe that holding hands with these activists is a way to give them strength." Another participant appreciated newfound solidarity, saying they felt reassured to find many other allies who share the same thoughts amidst churches that only repeat that homosexuality is a sin.
Rev. Lee extends gratitude to The United Church of Canada for its support and solidarity, which is enabling Q&A to set a table of hospitality even in the barren environment of the Korean Church.
“Your support sends a powerful message to queer Christians in Korea, that ‘you are not alone, that Christian colleagues around the world are praying with you.’ Q&A will continue to work alongside The United Church of Canada to build a Kingdom of God where no one is excluded,” adds Rev. Lee.
Faithful Accompaniment with Global LGBTQIA+ Communities
The United Church’s partnerships with organizations like Q&A are enhancing and uplifting the leadership of Global South communities, shaping their own liberation initiatives that are grounded in local wisdom, resilience, and lived experience.
LGBTQIA+ people are facing increased violence, displacement, and exclusion in many parts of the world—often justified by religious rhetoric. Faith-rooted affirming voices are on the frontlines, offering pastoral care, accompaniment, and emergency support even where persecution is acute, and at their own personal and professional cost.
Read more stories like this:
Together in Partnership—Sumdol Hyanglin Church and The United Church of Canada
A Place at the Table: Hoeun Lee
Upholding Love and Justice: My Experience at the ILGA Asia Conference