Vietnam takes step to lead Asia on marriage equality
Vietnam could become the first country in Asia to allow for same-sex marriage, with a senior minister from the country’s government speaking about the issue for the first time as it continues its public consultation on the issue.
In early July, the Ministry of Justice announced it would be seeking public comment on proposed amendments to the Marriage and Family Law including changes allowing for same-sex marriage.
The Ministry has said legal recognition may be necessary as more LGBT citizens are being open about their relationships, with some even conducting their own wedding ceremonies.
“To guarantee personal freedom, the marriage between same sex people needs to be recognized,” the Ministry stated.
In an online debate earlier this week, Justice Minister Ha Hung Cuong said although he personally thought it “unacceptable to create social prejudice against the homosexual community” the government would have to carefully consider customs and ethics as well as cultural and legal issues.
“Personally, I believe that the recognition or non-recognition of same sex marriage should be based on very basic research, the credible assessment of impact on many social and legal aspects such as personal freedom, compatibility with cultural and social practices of Vietnamese families, sensitivity, social consequences of the law,” Cuong said on July 24.
“The State should also have legal mechanisms to protect the legitimate rights such as legal personality, property ownership or children (if any) of same sex couple living together.”
Le Quang Binh, a sociologist who directs the non-profit Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment in Hanoi, commended Cuong’s comments saying Vietnam could be soon seen as a regional leader on gay rights.
“As far as I know, no Asian country allows same-sex marriages,” Binh told Vietweek.
“This idea has impressed my colleagues from other countries in the region who are very hopeful that Vietnam would be able to deliver on this.”
A survey in June of 5,000 gay respondents conducted by Information Connecting and Sharing – an NGO which works to improve LGBT rights in Vietnam – found that just over 71 per cent of them wanted to get married to same-sex partners.
- Tags: Asia, Blaze, Economy and Environment, Gay Rights, Ha Hung Cuong, Information Connecting and Sharing, Institute for Studies of Society, Law, Le Quang Binh, LGBT Rights, Marriage Equality, MCV, Politics, Queensland Pride, Same-Sex Marriage, SX, Vietnam
Comments (12)
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Joe, Israel may well "recognise same-sex marriages performed abroad". However, the question is about queer Jews marrying in Israel.
Israel does recognize same-sex marriages performed abroad. The only country to do so in the Middle East or Asia.
Where did the Israel tangent come from? Never heard of Vietnamese Gay Jews, perhaps they exist? That wasn't what this article was about though.
Blackie, welcome to the New World Order.
Perhaps if you are involved, the new order is idiot's-ville?
It's up to the authorities to judge that.
Dave, I might add that when the modern state of Israel was formed, the rabbinate demanded power over marriage and divorce in exchange for their support. It's the only law which isn't secular.
Vietnam, Scotland, and now New Zealand, have skyrocketed moving to end discrimination in Marriage, leaving Gillard raging with her far right Catholic faction in a leaky boat. But do not worry, her scallywag crew is made up of Tony Abbott who is the ships whore, with the 57 facebook friends of the Christian Lobby telling them all how to live. Their proud boat is called “The Regressive”. Lucky the Navy has found them, and is sending them back to Iran.
If we want to stop these sort of boats, we must get together with friends. We must take out advertisements in local papers, blog, call the radio, write letters to the editor, do local letter drops, and create moral panic with truth. Have a regular get together. Gillard and Abbott, who are supporting policies of the Exclusive Brethren and the Christian Lobby, are asking for no religious freedom, they are demanding all follow a fundamentalist version of Christianity that majority of Christians find offensive as the polls show. They are attacking Christians, Buddhist, people of the Muslim faith and atheist, by demanding people live by the religious beliefs of a few. They want to censor the internet, monitor what you do, and tell you who to marry, let alone say if you can have children, and if you have children, they tell them your parents are a mess, trying to make life difficult for children. Get the facts about polling, and quote it. Get the printed support from Bishops, Reverends, Priest, and even Buddhist Associations. Our Dark Knights are amongst us, and now is the time to rise and beat these fundamentalist at their own game. Because we can do things better, because history is on our side, and because this is one of the greatest Civil Rights movements of our time. All discrimination must end now.
Dave, one country that will never see queer marriage is Israel.
Isreal has one of the highest supports for marriage equality in the world according Wikipedia. They are "moving forward" on lots of fronts, some more so then Australia. Some of the Jewish Rabis where some of the biggest supporters in New York, where a staggering 700 church leaders lobbied for marriage equality. I think that boat Gillard is on is sinking fast. Maybe she and her ilk can make to Iran in time wiht our Turn the Boats around policy.
Dave, impressive figures. However, marriage, in Israel, is under religious law and requires a majority of orthodox rabbis to be passed.