Vietnam Considers Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage
Source: NPR
Vietnam Considers Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage
by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
text size A A A July 29, 2012
Dinh Thi Hong Loan grasps her girlfriend's hand, and the two gaze into each other's love-struck eyes. Smiling, they talk about their upcoming wedding — how they'll exchange rings and toast the beginning of their lives together.
The lesbians' marriage ceremony in the Vietnamese capital won't be officially recognized, but that could soon change. Vietnam's Communist government is now considering whether to allow same-sex couples to marry or legally register and receive rights — positioning the country to be the first in Asia to do so.
"Our love for each other is real and nothing changes regardless of whether the law is passed or not," said Loan, 31. "But when it is passed, we will definitely go get registered. I can't wait!"
Even longtime gay-rights activists are stunned by the Justice Ministry's proposal to include same-sex couples in its overhaul of the country's marriage law. No one knows what form it will take or whether it will survive long enough to be debated before the National Assembly next year, but supporters say the fact that it's even being considered is a victory in a region where simply being gay can result in jail sentences or whippings with a rattan cane.
Read more: http://www.npr.org/2012/07/29/157561604/vietnam-considers-legalizing-same-sex-marriage?ft=1&f=1001&sc=tw&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
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He'd go Rambo and head back there to complete the mission started back in '69.
