Anonymous view on transgender soldiers: content analysis of online news headlines and comments in South Korea
Abstract Background The inclusion of transgender soldiers in the military service raises a fundamental question about the dichotomous categorization of human sexes based on anatomy and gender role within a specialized organization where the most masculine is commonly accepted. In March 2021, Hee-Soo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14565-z |
| _version_ | 1797983969015234560 |
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| author | Jeehye Lee Dong-Hee Ryu Su-Jin Lee |
| author_facet | Jeehye Lee Dong-Hee Ryu Su-Jin Lee |
| author_sort | Jeehye Lee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The inclusion of transgender soldiers in the military service raises a fundamental question about the dichotomous categorization of human sexes based on anatomy and gender role within a specialized organization where the most masculine is commonly accepted. In March 2021, Hee-Soo Byun, the first transgender soldier in Korea to come out in public, and who was forcefully discharged after gender affirming surgery, died by suicide. With no anti-discrimination laws, the cultural background of the Korean society hardly creates an LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) — friendly environment and shows a negative attitude towards gender minorities. Methods A total of 193 online news article headlines were analyzed, and 1046 comments were categorized inductively based on the presented rationales. Results: Before Byun’s public appearance, the frequent use of provocative expressions, which could evoke prejudice and discrimination, was found in published article headlines. Of the 724 comments that presented opinions on transgender soldiers, approximately 75% opposed Byun serving in the military in any form, including as a female soldier. Conclusions This study aimed to investigate online news articles and the comments regarding Byun’s case to estimate the acceptability of transgender people serving in the military. The results of this study are expected to serve as a basis for the formulation of policies that protect the human rights of transgender people. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T06:55:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-36259682c36c4b7d95ae57e397338d7e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T06:55:29Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-36259682c36c4b7d95ae57e397338d7e2022-12-22T04:39:03ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582022-11-0122111210.1186/s12889-022-14565-zAnonymous view on transgender soldiers: content analysis of online news headlines and comments in South KoreaJeehye Lee0Dong-Hee Ryu1Su-Jin Lee2Department of Preventive Medicine, Eulji University School of MedicineDepartment of Preventive Medicine, Daegu Catholic University School of MedicinePublic Policy Team, Daegu Public Health Policy InstituteAbstract Background The inclusion of transgender soldiers in the military service raises a fundamental question about the dichotomous categorization of human sexes based on anatomy and gender role within a specialized organization where the most masculine is commonly accepted. In March 2021, Hee-Soo Byun, the first transgender soldier in Korea to come out in public, and who was forcefully discharged after gender affirming surgery, died by suicide. With no anti-discrimination laws, the cultural background of the Korean society hardly creates an LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) — friendly environment and shows a negative attitude towards gender minorities. Methods A total of 193 online news article headlines were analyzed, and 1046 comments were categorized inductively based on the presented rationales. Results: Before Byun’s public appearance, the frequent use of provocative expressions, which could evoke prejudice and discrimination, was found in published article headlines. Of the 724 comments that presented opinions on transgender soldiers, approximately 75% opposed Byun serving in the military in any form, including as a female soldier. Conclusions This study aimed to investigate online news articles and the comments regarding Byun’s case to estimate the acceptability of transgender people serving in the military. The results of this study are expected to serve as a basis for the formulation of policies that protect the human rights of transgender people.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14565-zMilitary personnelNewspaper articleSexual and gender minoritiesTransgender persons |
| spellingShingle | Jeehye Lee Dong-Hee Ryu Su-Jin Lee Anonymous view on transgender soldiers: content analysis of online news headlines and comments in South Korea BMC Public Health Military personnel Newspaper article Sexual and gender minorities Transgender persons |
| title | Anonymous view on transgender soldiers: content analysis of online news headlines and comments in South Korea |
| title_full | Anonymous view on transgender soldiers: content analysis of online news headlines and comments in South Korea |
| title_fullStr | Anonymous view on transgender soldiers: content analysis of online news headlines and comments in South Korea |
| title_full_unstemmed | Anonymous view on transgender soldiers: content analysis of online news headlines and comments in South Korea |
| title_short | Anonymous view on transgender soldiers: content analysis of online news headlines and comments in South Korea |
| title_sort | anonymous view on transgender soldiers content analysis of online news headlines and comments in south korea |
| topic | Military personnel Newspaper article Sexual and gender minorities Transgender persons |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14565-z |
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