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Being gay is not a disease. With that message, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health calls on the healthcare system to stop discriminating against LGBTQ people.
Organizations that work for LGBTQ rights call the statement a big step forward in a country where gay and bisexual people, as well as transgender people, have long felt marginalized.
In the document published by the ministry, it is explained that homosexuality neither needs nor can be cured. Healthcare workers are being urged to respect that people are different, following reports of doctors claiming to be able to cure homosexuality.
Although Vietnam is seen as quite progressive in LGBTQ issues compared to some other countries in Asia, ignorance about sexual orientation and gender identity is widespread. According to a 2020 Human Rights Watch report, some children are told by both teachers and parents that homosexuality is a mental illness.
Vietnam lifted its ban on same-sex marriage in 2015, but has not fully legalized it. Nor has a promised law allowing gender reassignment become a reality.