August 17, 2012
Experts support recognition of same sex marriage
Many experts and NA deputies have shown their supports for the recognition of same sex marriage in Vietnam.
A lesbian couple on the street
Le Quang Binh, Director of Institute for Studies of Society, Economics and Environment (ISEE) said that Vietnam has about 1.65 million gay, lesbian and bisexual citizens between the ages of 15-59.
Although the press had only covered 10 well-publicised same sex marriages, in reality, there are many same sex partnership ceremonies that have been held in Vietnam without such fanfare. More and more gay people want to come out and just be themselves.
At the conference on “HIV transmission from sexual intercourse – a multi-dimensional perspective”, Dr. Khuat Thu Hong, Director of Institute for Social Development Studies said the increasing recognition of lesbian and gay relationships was a great step forward for Vietnam. A girl in the past that confessed to having feeling for other girls would often have been sent to have a mental health examination in the past.
In reality, many parents still force their children to quickly marry though they know that their children are gay or lesbian. To them, marrying them off may act as a ‘cure’ to their ‘disease’.
Scientists have also issued serious medical advice warning that using hormones to ‘cure’ homosexuality may lead to dangerous consequences. Marrying someone or being locked up will change nothing. “We have seen many unfortunate cases. Those forced into marriage are unhappy and their supposed spouse is left equally helpless” Hong said.
Nguyen Truong Vu, leader of the ‘Youth Dream Club’ said that he hoped society would recognise homosexuals. “The United Nations recognised that homosexuality is not a mental illness. Many developed countries also recognise this. Vietnam should open her door to more gender equality and medical facilities should publicly issue documents that state that homosexuality is not an illness. Vietnam may not need to allow same sex marriage but civil unions are a good way to go.” Vu said.
However, historian Duong Trung Quoc said that there would need to be further discussion to amend existing laws. “The trend towards recognising gay people has not changed, but we should consider this problem carefully to ensure their interests.” Quoc said.
On May 7, the Ministry of Justice also sent an official document to relevant agencies to gather opinions on the amendments to the law on marriage and the family issued in 2000. The amendments mentioned about the recognition of same sex marriages and lower marriage ages.
Quoc said these problems would be voted on and he would vote in favour of same sex marriages.
If the amendments were adopted, Vietnam would become the first South East Asian country to recognise same sex marriages.
Vice Director of Institute for Community Health and Development said, “I totally support this but people should aware that we’re doing this for gay people not because we’d like to be the first country in ASEAN to recognise the issue.”
Binh also supported the amendments to current legislation. “This will have a huge impact on the daily lives of the gay people in Vietnam.” he said.