Justice and Human Rights South Korea Project #15426

Rainbow Teen Safe Space

by DDing Dong LGBTIQ Youth Support Center

Project Report | Feb 6, 2026
DDing Dong (Rainbow Teen Safe Space) 38th letter

By Sora, KIM | Give manager

DDing Dong at Gwangju Queer Festival

DDing Dong is 10 years old! Thanks to your support for LGBTIQ Youth Support Center DDing Dong in Korea, from all over the world. We were able to operate all activities through your donations even though running on 0% Korean government support.

Here are some details of our last activities.

1. DDing Dong Restaurant: Special program for Trans Masculine Youth

Following the special makeup class for trans women youth in August 2025, DDing Dong Restaurant in October was held as a gender expression program where trans men/nonbinary (male identities such as Demi Boy and Trans Masculine) teenagers try on tailored suits. In particular, we were able to have a plentiful time by transgender activists working in Korea becoming mentors.

We are thrilled to share some reviews of participated trans youth.

"It was lonely when I expressed my gender expression by myself, but it’s nice to do it with my friends."

"I was happy to talk to people with similar identities to me."

"I love a day where I don't get misgendered!"

2. Let’s talk about HIV/AIDS!

Every year, DDing Dong runs a program that trains LGBTIQ youth to learn about HIV/AIDS. In November 2025, DDing Dong Restaurant was opened as an HIV/AIDS special. "AIDS" is one of the repertoires of LGBTQ hate speech. We took some time to see how we can deal with widespread hate prejudice.

3. DDing Dong visits various cities in Korea

Although DDing Dong is located in Seoul, the capital of Korea, since DDing Dong is the only support center for LGBTIQ youth in Korea, we meet various LGBTIQ youth in other cities. Last November, DDing Dong participated in the Queer Festival held in Gwangju. We met with LGBTIQ youth living in the region. Gwangju, also called the capital of democracy in Korea, the mature citizens cheered us up with the huge support.

We appreciate your donation. DDing Dong is moving out soon. Even though we have come to pay a large monthly rent in the city of Seoul, we will continue to work hard to consult and support LGBITQ youth in Korea with the support from our donors.

Best regards,

DDing Dong.

Trans man youth is expressing his gender

Educating LGBTIQ youth about HIV/AIDS

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Oct 10, 2025
DDing Dong (Rainbow Teen Safe Space) 37th letter

By Ji Hee, Min | Fundraising Team Leader

DDing Dong's 10th birthday party

DDing Dong's 10th birthday party, amid the celebration of 200 people

On Sunday, May 18, DDing Dong's 10th birthday party was held in Seongsu, Seoul. It was a place where everyone could be satisfied with the fruitful pre-programming, colorful giveaways, the main event that marked Ding-dong's decade, and a touching celebration performance.

More than 200 people attended! From the LGBTIQ youth using DDing Dong, former and current volunteer workers in DDing Dong, to the donors who gave their staunch support for DDing Dong to come all the way here, gathered together to applaud their growth and perseverance. In particular, a talk show with special guests who have been with Ding-dong will remain in many people's hearts for a long time.

We will be supportive to each other in the next 10 years of DDing Dong.

"I've never received a bouquet this big." Chris Kim's ScalaShip Award Ceremony

"I would like to say first that I am grateful for every moment that I have been selected as a recipient of scholarship support, to be contacted, to prepare my speech, to stand here and speak out in front of so many people. (…) With this scholarship support, I will grow into a better person by studying the plays I love to my heart's content, and I think I will be able to go the way I want with much less pressure."

Following last year, there was the second "Chris Kim Scholarship" award ceremony for Ding-dong's scholarship project. In a society where LGBTIQ discrimination has penetrated daily life, the scholarship started with a donor's warm heart that LGBTIQ youth hope to continue their studies and not stop challenging themselves when choosing their career paths.

Please support the sparkling dreams of LGBTIQ youth together!

August DDing Dong Restaurant: Transgender Special! Makeup Class

The DDing Dong Restaurant in August, which many teenagers had been waiting for, was held as a makeup special for transgender people. It was for transgender people who are interested in makeup but have no entry barrier because they do not have anyone to teach them closely, or can hardly afford to wear makeup as much as they want due to opposition from their family members.

We also shared our concerns about makeup with professional makeup artists while listening to lectures on basic makeup and personal color according to facial characteristics. After finishing the program, they provided gift bags of basic cosmetics and makeup tools.

I hope that the 10 LGBTIQ youth who participated in the program can continue to try various gender expressions while staying "as me" rather than "as a man" or "as a woman." .

The 2nd Rainbow Essay Award Ceremony

It's time to unfold the lives of LGBTIQ teenagers to the world. Following last year, the 2nd Queer Youth Rainbow Essay was held. At an award ceremony prepared for a scaled-up talk event, we could hear the true lives of LGBTIQ teenagers who kept them in their drawers. Teenagers who wrote while reducing their sleep because the contest period coincided with the school performance evaluation!

The essay-winning stories will be uploaded on the DDing Dong homepage soon! (Only Kor)

Thank you always for your support.

August DDing Dong Restaurant

Chris Kim Scholarship Ceremony

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Jun 18, 2025
Biggest change in LGBTIQ youth after joining us?

By Ji Hee, Min | Fundraising Team Leader

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