Sexual Rights Alliance (SRA), a group of Vietnamese NGOs, conducted an IDAHOT event in Ha Noi on May 15 with “Free Expression” as the key theme of the action and LGBT youth groups conducted an event in support of the Campaign Tôi Đồng Ý 16+. Additionally, PFLAG Vietnam sent out a message of respect and love on IDAHOT.

In partnership with United Nations Vietnam, the purpose of the event was to urge the Vietnamese government to take more action to protect Vietnamese LGBTI communities but also to celebrate progress in reducing stigmatisation and discrimination.

To underline the message of the event, participants from the National Youth Theater took to the stage to express how stigma and discrimination affect young LGBTI Vietnamese people.

IDAHOT 2014 in Hanoi, Vietnam. May 15, 2014.

The event included an opening speech by UN representative and SRA representative, a video clip about how Vietnam has changed in protecting LGBT rights, contemporary dance on IDAHOT 2014 theme: Free Expression and drinks & finger food and free hang-out afterwards.

On the occasion of IDAHOT, the LGBT Nha Trang community also hosted a public event as part of the Campaign Tôi Đồng Ý 16+ (I Agree 16+). More than 30 young people attended the event that promoted the petition for equal rights for LGBT. It aims to

1. adjust the law on marriage and family & (modified) of which referred to article 16, the provisions on the settlement of the legal consequence arising out of the Union between two people of the same gender (femalespersonal, property, etc.)
2. adjust the law Registrar, including on the issue of change/adjust your registrar information as a citizen. This is especially meaningful to the transgender community in changing their identity in legal documents.
3. law of citizen identification. Along with the law Registrar, adjusting the personal information of each citizen according to their identity is important to the community.

Pictures were taken as part of the campaign that were published on social media. Find out more about the campaign here.

Source: LGBT Nha Trang

PFLAG Vietnam, the organisation for parents, friends & families of LGBT people, has sent a special message of solidarity as part of the celebration of IDAHOT to their children and the entire society. The called out to other parents to take their children’s side and to stand by them when they face discrimination, violence and prejudice. And they addressed Vietnamese society to not tolerate these prejudices and discriminations.

IDAHOT message by PFLAG Vietnam

The events were organised by ICS, the largest LGBT organisation in Vietnam. Read the detailled programme here.

The release of the results of an online survey of more than 500 LGBT people about homo/transphobia in schools and a rapid assessment in seven schools on student attitudes toward homo/transphobia received a lot of public attention. Data on the level of bullying and it consequences, information on IDAHO and speeches were covered in about 20 national newspapers, including the official online newspaper of government, and three national TV channels.

For the first time, the main national TV channel dedicated 10 minutes live on May 17 in a broadcast about the homophobia and transphobia.

A joint letter from an alliance of activists to the Minister of Education received more than 2500 signatures online and more than 500 signatures at public events.

The play “To be Oneself” (or “StereoWoman”) was performed for one night and at five universities. The director a TV channel for young people spoke openly about LGBT rights in a discussion following the performance.

Another play, “The Rainbow”, about gay men under pressure to marry, was staged for nights. The US Ambassador gave a speech at the play’s opening night.

Several hundred people wrote “I support LGBT” letters to show their support.

UNAIDS Vietnam presented a letter in support of IDAHO.

A press conference was held, which was attended by about 25 national newspapers and TV channels.

Activists distributed 3000 rainbow flags and LGBT information sheets at public events in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Binh Dinh and Binh Duong.