[Activity Sketch #2]

Chingusai Meets Creators — The First Roundtable

On April 20, we held our first gathering with gay YouTubers as part of our search for more diverse ways to introduce Chingusai to wider audiences. For this inaugural meeting, we especially invited couple YouTubers who share their love stories with openness—showing that our love, too, is “ordinary love,” that “Love is Love.” Over two hours, we shared a meal and talked briefly about the challenges of running a gay YouTube channel, as well as the kinds of support they might hope for if help were available. We also heard about the reality that, despite having subscriber numbers that might typically attract attention from YouTube management agencies, many creators never receive such outreach. Because of limited networks, they have also missed opportunities simply because they had no one to consult for even basic advice.

The couple YouTubers who attended can be found at the links below:

Mangwon-daek TV

Seok Si-won

Jeonggurang Dongguran-gil

While Chingusai carries out direct human rights work through the support of its members, each of our hobby groups also engages—directly or indirectly—in human rights activism. In that sense, we see YouTubers who openly express their identities and create content as fellow practitioners of human rights work, much like ourselves. With that in mind, we planned this gathering to think together about how Chingusai, as a community organization, might build relationships with these creators and develop activities at points where our work intersects. By the end, we found ourselves saying, “We’re not exactly sure yet how we’ll work together—but for now, let’s at least stay connected!”

Lately, as we’ve been involved in fundraising-related activities, one thought keeps coming up: “Let’s just try.” Since the world is made by people, even without a sharply defined goal or conclusion, steady movement in a consistent direction often brings you closer to where you’re headed. The venue for our recent appreciation event, for example, came through someone we met during fundraising, and the person who lent us their office meeting space for this roundtable was also someone we encountered through those efforts. Both were supporters of Chingusai’s direction and our work, and because we created spaces where help could circulate, we were able to work together. On a personal note, it was also meaningful for me to have the chance to work with new team members—Jihong, and planning team members Hyeonse and Jaehyeon.

The process is still ongoing, so this is a reflection without a neat conclusion—but for now, we’re going to keep going. Next, we’re planning to meet creators who produce content independently. We hope for your continued interest!

Fundraising Team Lead, Chingusai / Yunha (윤하)

The April 20 networking party was the first activity I organized as a member of the fundraising team. When Yunha, the fundraising team lead, first asked if I would consider joining the team, my immediate thought was, “Do they really need me on the fundraising team?” But then I thought, “Let’s just try,” and I joined right away.

As we held various meetings as a fundraising team, the first thing I realized was how much we need people from many different fields. Looking not only at the networking party but also at Chingusai’s other activities, I could see—indirectly—how members use their individual expertise and skills to help make Chingusai a stronger human rights organization. That led me to think that what we need now is to bring more people like that together. From that perspective, this networking party felt especially important.

On the 20th, we met with gay couple YouTubers and, through the roundtable, listened to the difficulties they face and talked about potential collaborations with Chingusai. We asked about their interest in networking and discussed what role Chingusai could play for YouTubers, as well as what kinds of support we might receive in return. We also revisited our broader direction and talked about how we could further develop these networking gatherings going forward.

As we organized this event, we found ourselves once again reflecting on what a “win–win” direction might look like. Beyond simply working for human rights, it felt crucial for Chingusai to build a symbiotic relationship—one in which Chingusai supports its members, and members, in turn, support Chingusai. The networking party is still in its early stages, but I hope this activity can become an opportunity for more members and Chingusai to grow together in a truly mutual way.

Fundraising Team Member, Chingusai / Jihong (지홍)