Vietnam Considers Same-Sex Marriage
By MARGIE MASON 07/29/12 05:23 AM ET Associated Press
HANOI, Vietnam -- Dinh Thi Hong Loan grasps her girlfriend's hand, and the two
gaze into each other's love-struck eyes. Smiling, they talk about their
upcoming wedding – how they'll exchange rings and toast the beginning of their
lives together.
The lesbians' marriage ceremony in the Vietnamese capital won't be officially
recognized, but that could soon change. Vietnam's Communist government is now
considering whether to allow same-sex couples to marry or legally register and
receive rights – positioning the country to be the first in Asia to do so.
"Our love for each other is real and nothing changes regardless of whether the
law is passed or not," said Loan, 31. "But when it is passed, we will
definitely go get registered. I can't wait!"
Even longtime gay-rights activists are stunned by the Justice Ministry's
proposal to include same-sex couples in its overhaul of the country's marriage
law. No one knows what form it will take or whether it will survive long enough
to be debated before the National Assembly next year, but supporters say the
fact that it's even being considered is a victory in a region where simply
being gay can result in jail sentences or whippings with a rattan cane.
"I think everyone is surprised," said Vien Tanjung, an Indonesian gay-rights
activist. "Even if it's not successful it's already making history. For me,
personally, I think it's going to go through."
Vietnam seems an unlikely champion of gay-rights issues. It is routinely
lambasted by the international community over its dismal human rights record,
often locking up political dissidents who call for democracy or religious
freedom. Up until just a few years ago, homosexuality was labeled as a "social
evil" alongside drug addiction and prostitution.
And Vietnam's gay community itself was once so underground that few groups or
meeting places existed. It was taboo to even talk about the issue.
But over the past five years, that's slowly started to change. Vietnam's
state-run media, unable to write about politically sensitive topics or openly
criticize the one-party government, have embraced the chance to explore gay
issues. They have run lengthy newspaper stories and television broadcasts,
including one live special that won a top award.
Video of Vietnam's first publicized gay wedding went viral online in 2010, and
a few other ceremonies followed, capturing widespread public attention. The
Justice Ministry now says a legal framework is necessary because the courts do
not know how to handle disputes between same-sex couples living together. The
new law could provide rights such as owning property, inheriting and adopting
children.
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"I think, as far as human rights are concerned, it's time for us to look at the
reality," Justice Minister Ha Hung Cuong said Tuesday in an online chat
broadcast on national TV and radio. "The number of homosexuals has mounted to
hundreds of thousands. It's not a small figure. They live together without
registering marriage. They may own property. We, of course, have to handle
these issues legally."
Globally, 11 countries have legalized same-sex marriage since the Netherlands
became the first to do so in 2001. Only a few U.S. states allow it, but
President Barack Obama provided hope for many couples worldwide after
announcing his support earlier this year.
The issue has remained largely off the table across Asia. In Thailand, many
tourists see a vibrant gay, lesbian and transgender community, but it exists
largely as part of the country's lucrative entertainment industry, separated
from politics and conservative Thai society.
Muslim-dominated nations such as Indonesia have strict laws against
homosexuality. Sodomy can result in up to 20 years in jail and caning in
Malaysia. But that hasn't stopped some from continuing to fight for more rights
and visibility.
In Singapore, more than 15,000 people – double last year's turnout – recently
held up pink lights in a park at night to support acceptance of the community
in a modern city-state where gay sex remains illegal, even though the law is
not enforced.
In Taiwan, a 2003 bill to recognize same-sex marriage failed to receive enough
support to make it law, though a lesbian couple is expected to tie the knot in
August at a Buddhist monastery.
Vietnam will also hold its first public gay pride parade Aug. 5 in Hanoi. The
country is socially conservative, but the government restricts the kind of
politicized religious movements that typically push back against same-sex
marriage in other countries. Gay pride events also seem to pose little threat
to Communist Party's dominance.
The same-sex marriage proposal still has several hurdles before it could become
law. The Justice Ministry will consider opinions from the public along with
government agencies before submitting its draft proposal to the National
Assembly next May on whether to recommend same-sex marriage or some other type
of legal recognition with rights. Then, it must be approved by a majority of
parliament.
"Some people told me if Vietnam could legalize it, it would be very good
example for other counties to follow," said Le Quang Binh, head of the
nonprofit Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment, which is
consulting on the marriage law. "People think that talking about it is a big
step forward already. ... I hope it will lead to more openness or tolerance for
gays and lesbians in Vietnam."
As for Vietnamese partners Loan and Nguyen Thi Chi, who share a one-room
apartment down a narrow alley in Hanoi, they say their love and commitment is
real, regardless of whether a law exists to recognize them when they marry next
month. But they hope the new proposal will ease stigma that lingers around
same-sex couples.
Chi, 20, knows the pain of discrimination all too well. She recently dropped
out of college after being publicly outed by a note taped to one of her
classroom doors saying she was "diseased." She was harassed and bullied for a
year and a half on campus until finally deciding she'd had enough.
"
Things must change," she said. "Even though it was not a nice experience, more
and more people are interested in knowing about the community. And the more
people that know about it, the more people will have a different view on it."
Associated Press writer Sean Yoong contributed to this report from Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia
