Early August, around 100 persons took to streets in Hanoi as part of a
gay pride parade.
The procession came at the
backdrop of an announcement to legalise same sex marriage in the country. The
event received significant media attention, some describing it as revolutionary
in Vietnam. The article analyses these developments and tries to determine
whether this signals any positive change in attitudes towards homosexuality.
A Response To Social Reality?
The Government of Vietnam had
earlier declared homosexuality as a social evil, along with prostitution, drugs
and gambling. Legislation was once proposed to enable the government to arrest
gay couples and to deal with homosexuality. The national assembly banned gay
marriages in 1998, however, homosexuality was not criminalised, and in fact it
has no mention in the Vietnamese penal code.
But actions against homosexuals
are taken under the legal provision of ‘undermining public morality’ and there
have been instances where individuals were arrested and had to undergo
‘re-education classes’. Some publications regard homosexuality as a disease and
as deviant behaviour.
There were no laws to protect
homosexuals in Vietnam. There were much celebrated homosexual marriages which
the government was unable to control. Recently the Minister of Justice, Ha Hung
Cuong proposed amendments to marriage laws to legalise same-sex marriage. He
cited it as a necessary measure as the number of homosexuals was on rise, posing
legal challenges like in terms of property rights.
The Pink Dollar Factor
Recently, Vietnam is augmenting
its efforts to encourage the tourism potential. The gay pride parade and
proposal to legalise same sex marriage appears to be inspired by the same logic.
Gay tourists generally have higher disposable incomes making them a ‘dream
market’ for tourism industry. (14th Annual Gay and Lesbian Tourism Study 2009,
by Community Marketing Inc) From the perspective of gay tourists, Vietnam is
not gay-friendly; since gay life is in the shadows. Many hotels are reluctant
to accommodate gay couples. Many travelogues describe about vulnerability of
gay couples of how they are likely to be robbed, how they are looked at
‘differently’. Tourists have to restrict their behaviour and conceal their
relationship. Reportedly homosexuality is not a crime but it is used as a
blackmailing tool by state officials.
On the other hand, Thailand is
regarded as gay friendly travel destination in Southeast Asia. It attracts
significant gay tourists or what is called the ’pink dollar’. Many Southeast
Asian countries are opening up to gay tourism after realising its dollar
potential. There are clubs and bars catering to gay tourists and showcasing
itself as a homosexual-friendly country helps. Taiwan hosted a gay pride parade
in 2003 and thereafter became the most gay-travel friendly destination in
Northeast Asia. (Global Travel Industry News, 2008) Likewise, Vietnam aspires
to change its image to a gay-friendly travel destination.
Advancing On Human Rights?
Besides the commercial motives,
there is another argument that surfaces on this issue. International media
reported the gay pride parade event and proposed legislation as signs of change
in Vietnam. If we assume that Vietnam is changing its attitude towards
homosexuality, then what may be the factors causing this? A possible
explanation could be a result of its performance on human rights; for which it
has always been under the scanner of international human right watchdogs. So
much that US has linked its support to Vietnam (on its territorial dispute) to
human rights issues. In fact, when enquired about human rights situation, the
Minister of Justice was quoted as saying that it is time for them to look at
the ‘reality’.
For a communist state in order to
advance on human rights record, it is easier to begin accepting homosexuality.
This is a plausible hypothesis because homosexuality is a social issue, and it
does not directly challenge the authority of the communist party, in the way
internet and media freedom does. Within Vietnam those who are against
homosexuality (like the Christian community) are not strong enough to put a
stiff opposition, which could be another encouraging factor for the government.
Conclusion
It is worth probing if by
changing its image internationally, can the situation of homosexuals improve in
the country. The experience of Thailand demonstrates that carrying image as a
gay friendly country has no positive impact on its own population. Mere
acceptance or decriminalising homosexuality is not a standalone factor to
societal change towards homosexuals. The image a country projects may not
reflect the situation on ground or even the real attitude of its people. If
Vietnam intends to do so, hereafter it would be important to observe if the
bill is passed and if the government is taking any conscious efforts to change
societal outlook to homosexuality. Legalising same sex marriages requires
significant institutional preparedness (taxation, property and inheritance laws,
etc), so it needs to consider these complexities. Else, the issue can be easily
misconstrued as a tourism gimmick.
Amruta Karambelkar
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