Although homosexuality is considered a taboo in Vietnam because of their tradition, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) rights awareness have been skyrocketing during the 21st century. On August 2012, the first ever Vietnamese gay pride parade peacefully happened in Hanoi. But only this week, the LGBT community rejoices in victory as a law which allows people who have undergone sex change to register under a new gender has been passed.
Le Anh Phong, who had to come to Thailand to for surgery because she couldn't get it in Vietnam, broke down in tears as she heard the news,BBC reported. She added that she called her loved-ones who supported her to share the news, and all of them shed tears as well. Phong joined more than 100 people in Hanoi who are, like her, have been waiting for a long time.
ICS Vietnam, an LGBT support organization based in Ho Chi Minh City, director Tran Khac Tung said that this is important and a most welcomed first step for the community's progress and also added that it was such a miracle that the issue of transgender people's rights was brought before the busy National Assembly for discussion. Tung also stated that this is only just a step, for despite same sex are weddings not deemed illegal since 2013, Vietnam has still yet to give proper recognition to the same sex marriages.
Vietnam's new transgender law, which comes to effect on 1 January 2017, explains that apart from allowing transgender people a gender reassignment, it is also hoped to bring the surgeries to the hospitals, giving anyone who wants to undergo the process the access to it without having to go to Thailand or any other places that offer the service. As of the moment, only those without complete sex organs and those born with male and female sex organs can have the genital reconstruction.
