VietNamNet Bridge - National Assembly (NA) deputies have confirmed that the legal
provisions relating to homosexuals, bisexuals and transgenders need to be
discussed in the upcoming session.
For gay people, it is more
difficult to overcome social prejudice than legal problems.
The Institute for Legislative Studies in collaboration
with the Institute of Economic, Social and Environmental Research (iSEE)
recently held a workshop entitled “Homosexuals, bisexuals and transgenders
(LGBT): The law and views of the community.” This is the first time NA deputies
having a direct dialogue with the LGBT community.
Change should be made from the Constitution
Mr. Dinh Xuan Thao, Director of the Institute for
Legislative Studies, said the 1992 Constitution stipulates that all citizens
are equal before the law, so that no one is allowed to discriminate, harm the
rights and interests of those in the LGBT community. It is also stipulated in
the Constitution that men and women are free to marry.
However, the recognition of same-sex marriage or not
is still in discussion in Vietnam. However, the provision invisibly rejects the
"people who are not male or female" out of the scope of law. The
Constitution of some countries uses the word “people" or
"citizens" so it is more general than “men” and “woman” as in the
Constitution of Vietnam.
"Maybe in the near future the law still does not
recognize gay marriage, but the Constitution is the original legislation so it
should have provisions of sustainability. These rules are also the basis for
the issuance of legal documents that are directly related to homosexuals, such
as the Marriage and Family Law, the Civil Code and the Law on Gender Equality.
In the coming time, we will suggest to put this issue for people’s comment to
complete the draft amendment to the Constitution," said Thao.
Ms. Le Thi Nga, Deputy Chair of the NA Judiciary
Committee, said that this is the first time she directly listened to the
emotional sharing of the insiders. "We must change the perception of the
LGBT community a social reality. Rights and interests of these people directly
related to so many other people so in the future, many laws, including the
Constitution, must be discussed at the NA," Nga said.
Preconception must be abolished before fixing the law
Mr. Le Quang Binh, Director of iSEE, said: "The
biggest barrier to the LGBT community in Vietnam is the prejudice and social
stigma. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures to change people's
perceptions, and change the laws to protect homosexuals, bisexuals and
transgenders."
According to Mr. Tran Ngoc Vinh, Vice Head of the NA
delegation Hai Phong City, ensuring rights of the LGBT is also guaranteeing
human rights. Therefore, Vietnam should issue legal documents to promote the
people, the society’s different perspective on gay people to create momentum
for change at a higher level.
Professor Nguyen Minh Thuyet - former Vice Chairman of
the NA Committee of Culture, Education for Youth and Children – said that it is
more important to find ways to remove social prejudice against gays and then to
consider changing the law. He said: "It is the time for NA deputies to
think and research further on issues related to the LGBT community to protect
the legitimate rights and interests of them and the people involved."
To date there is no formal survey to determine the
number of homosexuals in Vietnam. However, many studies in the world show that
about 1-9 percent of the sexually active age group identify themselves gays and
bisexuals.
If we take the average rate of 3 percent, which is
accepted by many scientists, Vietnam has more than 1.6 million of LGBT at the
age of 15-49 (based on population statistics in 2007.)
According to Professor Nguyen Minh Thuyet, the
homosexuals, bisexuals or transgenders admitting their true gender benefits
society and themselves. However, various studies conducted by iSEE from 2009 to
2012 showed similar results on the reticence of gays in the disclosure of their
sexual orientation.
In 2009, with the male gays interviewed, only 2.5
percent fully opened about their sexual orientation and almost 5 percent were
nearly opened. Meanwhile, 32.5 percent completely kept secret of their sexual
orientation and 35 percent almost entirely kept secret. The remaining 25
percent were between “keeping secret and coming out," depending on the
environment. Homosexuals did not dare to open themselves even to their
families.
P.
Lan
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