Fun Fast Facts:
Updated: 31 Mar 2014 (On the verge of same-sex marriage)
- Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is legal. In fact, it is believed that it has never been illegal under law throughout its history.
- Same-sex couples are ineligible for the legal protections available to opposite-sex couples.
- In 2006, the government enacted legislation to protect citizens infected with HIV and persons living with AIDS from discrimination, and health care is provided free to all Vietnamese citizens.
- Whilst a conservative society, there is evidence of generational change. In 2007, HCMC University of Pedagogy conducted a poll of 300 pupils at three junior high and high schools and discovered that 80 percent of pupils answered “no” when asked, “Is homosexuality bad?”.
- In May 2012, a gay couple in Ha Tien held a traditional, public wedding at their home but were stopped by local authorities. The event was reported widely on Vietnamese media and started a heated debate on the issue.
- The Minister of Justice Ha Hung Cuong announced in 2012 that the government has begun a consultation on whether to legalise same-sex marriage in Vietnam, saying that “in order to protect individual freedoms, same-sex marriage should be allowed.”.
- Vietnam’s first gay pride parade took place peacefully in Hanoi on August 5, 2012.
On the verge of same-sex marriage
Broadcast: 31 Mar 2014
LGBTIQ-friendly organisation: iSee – Institute for Studies of Society, Economics and Environment in Hanoi
The Institute for Studies of Society, Economics and Environment (iSEE) is a science and technology organisation. iSEE works toward promoting the rights of minority groups in society and envisions a civilised, prosperous, and democratic society where everyone is treated equally and every value of humanity is respected.
- iSEE celebrates diversity which creates a colourful and interesting life. Through its work, iSEE promotes humanitarian values and the non-discrimination of minority groups, which include ethnic minorities and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender persons.
- iSEE contends for human rights because each individual has the right to be treated equally, the right to love and enjoy happiness. iSEE appeals to every citizen to respect and appreciate the role, value and voice of each and every individual in society, regardless of identity.
- iSEE appreciates all cultures because each culture possesses unique values. iSEE encourages the pride of cultural values and the unique beauty of ethnic minority groups in Vietnam. iSEE calls upon society to respect different cultures and to stop imposing cultural values, because harmony of different cultures is the origin of exchange, innovation and creativity. By doing so, cultures enjoy enrichment.
- iSEE advocates for freedom of expression because it brings in confidence, creativity and connection of people. iSEE encourages people to express themselves, open up their heart, socialise, share and contribute more to society. iSEE believes that self-expression is the very basis for mutual understanding, learning, sharing and together pursuing happiness.
W3JOY interviewed: Huy The Loung of iSEE – Institute for Studies of Society, Economics and Environment in Hanoi
“We have carried out research of more than 5000 people in Vietnam on same-sex marriage and the findings are that there is more than 33% support for same-sex marriage or marriage equality. When it came to support for same-sex unions… more than 70% support legal recognition for same-sex union.”
“The younger generation is more open. The higher educated people are more supportive. The people who have friends or relatives who are gay or lesbian are more supportive than the people who don’t know anyone who is gay or lesbian. People who know that the government is going to (review) the law are more supportive.”
“Family is very important in Vietnamese culture, its very strong. Most of the time when the parents know that their child is gay or lesbian, they try to force their children to hide their sexuality and not come out.”
“Our research is that most of the violence comes from the family towards the LGBT people.”
“There are some members of the parents of gay and lesbians association of Vietnam have come out to speak in support for their children and support for the process of the new law and they say that if the law can change to be more supportive to their children, they can feel more comfortable that the life of their children can be easier.”