g_b Vietnam Considers Same-Sex Marriage
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.
if(HPAds.ad_check_page_config('mid_article')) {
var adId = 'null';
HPAds.adSonar(1561992, 2791767, 300, 250);
var debugadcode = '';
document.write(debugadcode);
}
adsonar_placementId=1561992;adsonar_pid=2791767;adsonar_ps=-1;adsonar_zw=300;adsonar_zh=250;adsonar_jv=ads.tw.adsonar.com;
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
g_b Somebody around who loves you
If I'm such a legend, then why am I so lonely? Let me tell you, legends are all very well if you've got somebody around who loves you. -- Judy Garland http://lovequotes.symphonyoflove.net/category/j/judy-garland [Photo: If I'm such a legend, then why am I so lonely? Let me tell you, legends are all very well if you've got somebody around who loves you. - Judy Garland http://lovequotes.symphonyoflove.net/category/j/judy-garland] http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=503452226348462set=a.2305920236\ 34485.80826.188411217852566type=1relevant_count=1 More Love Quotes http://lovequotes.symphonyoflove.net/ Please 'Like' Symphony of Love http://www.facebook.com/pages/Symphony-of-Love/188411217852566 in Facebook and share the Blessings and love. Thank you.
g_b film screening feedback
Someone who wasn't able to attend the last GB Film Club Screening asked me how it went off so I'm happy to be able to post this glowing review from someone who was there (thanks to Dee for posting it to me from FB). So for those of you who want to come for a film screening, but aren't too sure what its like, I hope this persuades you! Please note that I would really be grateful for feedback about the films since that helps us decide which films to get for future screenings. We get original copies of commercially available films from abroad, which we either buy or which are donated to us by friends. But this means we have to keep sending people lists of which films to get, when we haven't seen the films first ourselves, so it really is a pain if a film is a dud or people just don't like it. Of course, this doesn't mean we're only going to show crowd pleasing films, or we'd only have films like the final comedies that we always show (though here too - this time at least one person felt that Eating Out 5 was so overtly sexual it was almost embarassing to watch. Did others also feel this?) We aim to show a mix of a drama, something that's thought provoking like a documentary or the package of short films we showed this time, something Indian (Pradipta's beautifully evocative Raat Bakhi this time) and a comedy, and by and large we find most people are OK with this mix. But as I said, it really helps to have feedback about the films we show or tips about new releases that people have seen abroad which might be worth getting. So please send this to us, either on these lists or directly to me at vgd^@yahoo.co.uk If anyone is coming from abroad, or has friends who are coming in the next few months who might be willing to get us films, please let me know and I'll send a list of the ones we are looking for, thanks! Vikram Vinit Béléy posted in Gay Bombay Vinit Béléy 23 July 00:41 Today's GB Film Fest was the best GB Film fest I've experienced. It was so supah amazing!! I'm really proud of the team behind it!! ♥ to all!! The things that I liked the most was the perfect blend of different issues and flavours of the LGBTS that the movies brought up. It talked of the severe issues, and then talked about fun, at one place its about innocence and at the other place it dealt with maturity. The choice of films was not only good, it was smart and well calculated. My personal favourite was the set of short films that were showcased (me having a huge liking for short films, this was surely a piece of cake - the chocolate one with extra cherries). I'd also say that the films this time were bolder and had a stronger and more interesting content (keeping aside the hotness of Eating Out 5 and Love 100degrees), it addressed things with a different perspective. So I guess Asian-Pacific Cinema needs to come on my lists from now on. I laughed like never before, in so many days, which I seriously needed since a while. Friends made it more awesome! ♥ Okay lemme not lose control! :P All in all, the film fest was planned well, executed well and had its impact just the way it ought to. I was touched and so was everybody else. Love GB Film Fests More Than Ever!! I seriously hope that the organising team reads this post. ♥
g_b Age means nothing
Age to me means nothing. I can't get old; I'm working. I was old when I was twenty-one and out of work. As long as you're working, you stay young. When I'm in front of an audience, all that love and vitality sweeps over me and I forget my age. -- George Burns http://lovequotes.symphonyoflove.net/category/g/george-burns [Photo: Age to me means nothing. I can't get old; I'm working. I was old when I was twenty-one and out of work. As long as you're working, you stay young. When I'm in front of an audience, all that love and vitality sweeps over me and I forget my age. - George Burns http://lovequotes.symphonyoflove.net/category/g/george-burns] http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=503886366305048set=a.2305920236\ 34485.80826.188411217852566type=1relevant_count=1 More Love Quotes http://lovequotes.symphonyoflove.net/ Please 'Like' Symphony of Love http://www.facebook.com/pages/Symphony-of-Love/188411217852566 in Facebook and share the Blessings and love. Thank you.
