The annual Seoul Queer Culture Festival was held in the South Korean capital on Saturday despite previous issues in securing a venue and protests against the LGBT community’s pride celebrations. “Our message to South Korean society at large this year is to affirm LGBTQ people,” said festival chief organiser Yang Sun-woo. The city authorities had previously denied requests by the organisers to use four locations, and a counter rally against the festival was held nearby. “We’re going to do it anywhere where we can do pride because the main thing is to convey the message that we’re everywhere,” Yang said.