Chingusai (Hangul: 친구사이, McCune–Reischauer: Ch'in'gusai, RR: Chingusai) is a South Korean gay men's human rights group founded in February 1994. It originated from Chodonghwe, the first organization that advocated for the human rights of the Korean LGBTQ+ community. Chingusai's main focus is to raise awareness on the importance of LGBTQ+ human rights and fight against the prejudices on sexual minorities in South Korea through social activism. Historical background 1993–1997: The origins of Chingusai In December 1993, a group of seven people decided to form Chodonghwe as a way to concentrate their different backgrounds in LGBTQ+ activism. Some people had experience of gay gatherings outside of Korea, some were HIV activists, and others were issued from smaller gatherings such as the veterans of Nakwon-dong, a queer district affiliated to Jongro-gu in Seoul, or Sappho, a lesbian social club created in 1990 predominantly by American expats, US military personnel, and Korean Americans. One month after its creation, Chodonghwe led to the creation of two separate groups: one focused on gay human rights (Chingusai), and the other on lesbian human rights (Kkirikkiri). Chingusai started their official activities by publishing a newsletter on February 7, 1994, and organizing a seminar on homosexuality soon after on April 3. The same year, some members of the group shared their coming-out experiences through their "first gay memoir" entitled "No longer sad or ashamed" (더 이상 슬프지도 부끄럽지도 않다, Tŏ isang sŭlp'ŭjido pukkŭrŏpchido ant'a, Seoul: Chŏngjamot, 1994). Those first activities were inscribed in an attempt to give more visibility to the LGBTQ+ community in the mainstream media as a way of "transform[ing] the Nakwon-dong culture", a term referring to the obscure gay neighborhood of Nakwon-dong, Jongro-gu. It was introduced by the gay activist Seo Dong-jin, a cultural critic who was the first person to make his coming-out publicly. Aside from his activities in Chingusai, he introduced queer theory in Korea and had a central role in the apparition of LGBTQ+ gatherings in Korean universities. In comparison to other groups at that time, Chingusai, by appointing public representatives that already made their coming-out, acted as a public organization aiming to raise awareness on LGBTQ+ related issues through meetings, counseling, and publications. 1995–2000: A gay men's human rights group Chingsusai took part in the creation of the Korean Council of Homosexual Rights Activist Groups (KCHRAG, 한국동성애자 인권단체 협의회, Han'guk tongsŏngaeja In'kwŏn danch'e hyŏbŭihoe) in 1995 along with Kkirikkiri, Maŭm001 (LGBTQ+