Progressive LGBTI+ rights are few and far between in some parts of Asia, with homosexuality an illegal offense in more than 20 Asian countries. However, there are beacons of hope. New Zealand ambassador to Vietnam, Wendy Matthews, has been active on the ground with organisations that support Vietnam going forward in developing these civil rights.
Hanoi Pride was a digital affair this year, yet the messaging remains strong: young Vietnamese LGBTI+ people are to be celebrated. Matthews and LGBTI+ activist Chu Thanh Ha speak with Lee Seabrook-Suckling about the current Pride efforts in Hanoi, and how they remain strong during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In terms of moving forward in legislation, Vietnam has made some advances recently in regard to LGBTI+ rights, including its Civil Code which provided for the legal change of gender for transgender individuals. “This is a work in progress,” says Matthews. “The next steps are to draft implementing regulations in order to give this legislation practical effect.”
In her capacity as ambassador, Matthews feels privileged to have a number of young LGBTI+ activists, like Chu Thanh Ha, in Vietnam. These young people have developed organisations to support LGBTI+ people, to advocate for equal rights, and to celebrate and shine a spotlight on the LGBTI+ community. “It is promising to see that a number of these organisations are working with Vietnamese government agencies and international donors to progress legislative reform and in other important areas such as providing safe and supportive education environments for LGBTI+ youth.”
There are two upcoming legal documents in Vietnam that will mention the rights of transgender people in the nation. “First, the Law on HIV/AIDS prevention and control, which is currently amending, and potentially consider transgender people as one of the key populations,” Ha explains. “Second, the Law on Gender Recognition that concerns the rights to medical intervention and recognition before law of transgender people. It is a pending project and awaits approval of the new Minister of Health.”
Ambassador Wendy Matthews and LGBTI+ activist Chu Thanh Ha | Photo: Supplied
Ha’s organisation, IT’S T TIME, serves to further the civil rights of the 300,000 transgender people living in Vietnam . The 2020 Pride slogan in Hanoi, “I Am Here”, serves as a personal passion for him. It signifies that “we are here”, he explains. “The transgender community is visible and striving for equality and inclusiveness. It is time for our voices to be heard and our rights to be protected.”
The “I Am Here” catchphrase is something Matthews gets behind in full force, too. “To me, this slogan is all about LGBTI+ community having visibility and a voice,” she says. “Covid-19 has also increased many peoples’ sense of isolation, and it is therefore more important than ever that we find ways to celebrate diversity and share experiences.”
Hanoi, where Matthews and Ha are based, has had Pride parades since 2012, and “even in my few years in Vietnam it has been fantastic to see this event grow in size and profile,” Matthews adds. The New Zealand Embassy in Hanoi has been a proud participant in these parades. Because of the pandemic, Hanoi Pride went all online. The New Zealand Embassy joined together with the embassies of Switzerland, Canada and Norway and some Vietnamese LGBTI+ activists and friends to talk about headline LGBTI+ issues and their hopes for the future in videos on social media.
Để đón chào Hanoi... - New Zealand Embassy - Hanoi, Vietnam
Public information is important to mobilise support for LGBTI+ communities. During the pandemic, this has posed a challenge: how do you get your Pride messaging out there without a physical parade? “The Covid-19 pandemic has affected us tremendously, as it has for the rest of the world," Ha explains. “Offline events and public gatherings are either closely controlled or prohibited for the safety of the community. Nonetheless, it cannot stop us from staying connected and striving for what we believe is right. If we cannot march or rally for Pride this year, we transform the spirit online. If we cannot meet in person, we will see each other on the computer screen. Maintain connection is paramount in this time of difficulties. It is what keeping us closer as a community.”
- Asia Media Centre
