While not quite an overnight phenomenon, today’s young gay Vietnamese are coming out earlier, facing far fewer social stigmas, and are finding an increasing number of social support networks according to a poll released by ISC, reports Voice of America. The survey, while hindered somewhat by its online methodology, shows that, among its many findings, that Vietnamese are recognizing their sexual identities at a much earlier age – between 10 and 20 – are taking far less time to accept it (about a year), and are much more optimistic about their prospects as members of the LGBT community in a country that, despite its conservative nature, also became the first Asian country to legalize same-sex unions.
“It was an interesting surprise because in my time, it took years,” ICS director Tran Khac Tung said at the study’s unveiling. “But the youngsters take less than a year.”
What’s more, three-fourths of Vietnamese use Facebook to stay in touch with other LGBT people, but physical meetings are on the rise. The study said 45 percent of people interact with other LGBT Vietnamese through school or work, 32 percent through community events, and 27 percent through friends. “More and more people are connected with each other through person-to-person [contact], rather than online,” Tung said. “That is a very good sign, because we are coming out more.”
One area that does remain a stumbling block is families. Parents who discover their children are gay routinely seek out therapy or some other form of curative modification, force their loved ones to change clothes or threaten the partners of their children. “These painful situations still exist in Vietnam,” said Tieu Thi Ai Nhi, a member of the Vietnam chapter of PFLAG, a group for parents and friends of LGBT people.
To combat the stigma, some countries are appointing members of the LGBT community to diplomatic posts in countries that have been unaccepting of sexual minorities. The United States recently appointed Ted Osious to Vietnam where he, his husband Clayton Bond and their adopted son Tabo hope to change the dialog. “The possibility exists that we can help in a country of 92 million people move the ball forward, potentially…. I would like to think we might have some marginal influence,” he said.
