Editor's Note: Cathy Truong is a Vietnamese American who spent two years living in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. She submitted this story on LGBT rights issuesto Tuoi Tre News from Vancouver, Canada, where she now lives. >> 52% of homosexual-heterosexual marriages end in divorce>> A legal guide for same-sex couples in Vietnam … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s LGBT movement lacks feminist agenda: research
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A matchmaking forum for LGBTs
A normal reaction of conservative parents who learn that their son or daughter is gay is to force them into a heterosexual marriage, with their partners introduced by the parents. To 'counterattack' forced marriage by their families, LGBTs are working together to establish a lesbian-gay forum with an aim to introduce 'well-matched' couples to their families. The fake couples are normally described as having the 'same bed but different dreams'. They do it for two benefits: to still have the chance to spend time with their true lovers, and to prevent someone from being forced into a marriage. LGBTs agree that these marriages bring two people into living together, but they keep their feelings and emotions separate. 'Screen' marriage The website www.thegioithu3.vn hosts a forum called 'gay-les matchmaking' to help LGBTs of the 'two worlds' meet and come together, but only for a fake marriage. On the forum there is an introduction from the website administrators explaining why … [Read more...] about A matchmaking forum for LGBTs
The lonely path to happiness for LGBTs
People of the 'third gender', commonly called LGBT, are certainly as normal as the rest of us, and are 'products of the Creator'. This is universally acknowledged, but not widely practiced, due to biases which strip them from happiness, especially in a conservative nation still bound in prejudices like Vietnam. As men and women, LGBT strongly wish to lead their lives as they are. However, in reality this is a painful path. Unhappiness Nguyen Thien Nhat, who lives in the central province of Ninh Thuan, is an example. He says he realized that he was different from other boys in his school when he was in eighth grade. "It was a fearful feeling," he said on imagining how his friends would behave after learning of this. "I tried to love a girl but it is impossible, as I have no emotion for girls." At the end of ninth grade, Nhat decided to declare his love for a male classmate, who was his closest friend. A tragedy began immediately. "We two are boys. How can we love each … [Read more...] about The lonely path to happiness for LGBTs
LGBT parades in wedding costume for same-sex marriage
Tens of Hanoi youths on May 17 wore wedding costumes and attended a parade to show their support on same-sex marriage. The participatants included volunteers from the Information Connecting and Sharing Center (ICS) - an organization supporting for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender (LGBT) community's rights in Vietnam, local LGBT people as well as people who support LGBT community. The parade went through the city's big streets, shopping malls and parks on a car decorated with the slogan "Yeu La Cuoi - Chung Toi Ung Ho Hon Nhan Dong Gioi" (Love is to marry - We support same-sex marriage). "Honoring the diversity of human genders and emotion, I and my friend attended to take wedding photos and went to buy wedding rings in front of the curious eyes of many people. The ring seller hesitated at first when she saw a female couple wearing wedding dresses come to find rings, but she then turned friendly and enthusiastically welcome us," "groom" Chu Thanh Ha, 23, student from … [Read more...] about LGBT parades in wedding costume for same-sex marriage
Hundreds gather at event supporting LGBT community
On Sunday, the Open Your Heart - Embrace Diversity event in Ho Chi Minh City held by ICS, an organization supporting for LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender) community's rights in Vietnam, attracted around 800 people who came to show their support to the community. >> City event to raise awareness on LGBT community >> Youths in big cities join dance to support homosexuals >> Homosexual - themed drama ends HCMC tour Taking place at the city's Labor Culture Palace, the 3-hour event featured music and dance performances, outdoor games, souvenir and information booths as well as makeup and photo shoot areas. "The event aims to honor the diversity in people's genders. We want people joining here to open their hearts to get to know and respect the diversity. Lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people are parts of life's diversity," Tran Khac Tung, director of ICS center shared at the event. "We hope to organize bigger events in the future since we … [Read more...] about Hundreds gather at event supporting LGBT community