Vietnam hosts first-ever LGBT parade: Same-sex marriage law to follow?

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Published time: August 05, 2012 12:38
Edited time: August 05, 2012 16:38

Cyclists decorate their bicycles with balloons and rainbow flags prepare to take part in Vietnam's first ever gay pride parade on a road in Hanoi on August 5, 2012 (AFP Photo / Hoang Dinh Nam)

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Asia, Law, Sex

Rainbow flags streamed through the streets of Hanoi on Sunday as the city hosted Vietnam’s first-ever gay pride parade. The event is seen by many as a step toward Vietnam becoming the first Asian state to legalize same-sex marriage.

The parade, organized by the city's small but growing Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, went without incident. Police made no attempt to stop the colorful procession of around 100 participants despite the marchers not having a permit for the event.

The event followed a surprise proposal by the country’s Justice Ministry in July to amend Vietnam’s marriage laws to include same-sex couples. The country should consider passing a law to formally recognize same-sex marriage, Justice Minister Ha Hung Cuong said.

People decorated with stickers and head scarves prepare to take part in Vietnam's first ever gay pride parade on a road in Hanoi on August 5, 2012 (AFP Photo / Hoang Dinh Nam)

"I think, as far as human rights are concerned, it's time for us to look at the reality," he said. "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."

The law was proposed to clarify disputes between same-sex couples living together, and to address issues such as owning property, inheriting assets and adopting children. The same-sex marriage amendment has not been drafted yet, and is likely several years away from passage. The Justice Ministry will consider public opinion and consult government agencies before it submits the proposal to the National Assembly next year in May.

If adopted, the law will make socialist Vietnam the first Asian country to officially recognize same-sex marriage, which is currently prohibited. Homosexuality was labeled a social evil a few years ago, alongside drug addiction and prostitution.

A woman poses with a rainbow flag displaying the words "Viet Pride" as she prepares to take part in Vietnam's first ever gay pride parade on a road in Hanoi on August 5, 2012 (AFP Photo / Hoang Dinh Nam)

Cyclists decorated with balloons and rainbow flags take part in Vietnam's first ever gay pride parade on a road in Hanoi on August 5, 2012 (AFP Photo / Hoang Dinh Nam)

Cyclists and motorists decorated with balloons and rainbow flags take part in Vietnam's first ever gay pride parade on a road in Hanoi on August 5, 2012 (AFP Photo / Hoang Dinh Nam)

Comments (26)

Anonymous user 24.02.2013 11:47

Way to go, Vietnam!

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lejos del usa 6 (unregistered) 31.08.2012 01:23

the colonialsts of the west are now trying to impose their homosexuals life on the free nations of the earth--Russia Jamaica NIgeria Uganda GHana Kanya Egypt HUngary-- --even the King of the Zulus nation--are all oppoising the imperialists of USA/Euro --the same ones who enslaved millions in their ships of doom--now seek to enslave millions of your sons & turn them into weak homosexuals so they can then take over your nations--your women & your futures--Presidente Chavez of Venezuela has warned for years to beware of them--don't allow them to steal oyur sons & daughters--defend yur selves from the new imperialists & kick them out of your nations--don't be weaklings be machos!! Suerte --contra gente malo--por siempre--lucha por sus naciones never surrender you freedoms!! libertad!!

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Sammy (unregistered) 07.08.2012 23:38

How soon we forget. Before Western colonialism, many of our cultures included LGBT people as special citizens, who could tap into more than one realm of masculine or feminine... it's not because of US occupation. It's in spite of it, that we are so blessed to have images that LOVE is ok, even if there is still ignorance in the world, that is what kills and corrupts young people, ignorance and intolerance, and the arrogance to think you know what exactly what God has planned for each one of us, let alone what His reason was for creating LGBT people. Open your heart and let God in, how soon we forget too, it was the prophets in the bible who were called liars, who were accused to be corrupting society, who were jailed, who were crucified...... may God forgive YOU.

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