In a shocking turn of events, Vietnam may well become the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage.
From an article in the Associated Press:
http://www.dailynews.com/...
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.
It's a long way from coming to pass, but the very idea of its being seriously considered is a giant step forward for the LGBT community there.
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."
This is a particular surprise given that, until very recently, homosexuality was considered a "social evil," on a par with drug addiction and prostitution in Vietnam.
Ironically, part of the new openness concerning this particular subject is a result of a lack of freedom in other areas.
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.
"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."
Of course, it's far from a done deal.
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."
For those of us who grew up in the shadow of the Vietnam War (I was far too young to be drafted, but I remember it vividly), it's amazing to think how far that country has come in so little a time.
Who knows? Maybe on this issue, at least, Vietnam will beat the United States to the punch.