By Sister Letecia de los Santos, RSM
Vietnam held the country’s first Pride Month parade in 2012, in the capital, Hanoi. Since its inception, Pride Month celebrations have expanded to more than 30 cities and provinces. The rainbow flag, a symbol of the hope and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community, is always flown proudly to raise awareness among curious onlookers.
Last year in Ho Chiu Minh City (Saigon), hundreds of members of the community and their allies joined the celebrations, which included rallies, film screenings, workshops and social events.
As is the case for every Pride event around the globe, the festivities in Vietnam appeal for equality and respect for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other gender identities. These celebrations are a peaceful call for Vietnamese society to recognize the contribution of the LGBTQ+ community to the local economy and culture. It is a profound reminder that this community should be respectfully included in all aspects of Vietnamese life.
One participant expressed his sense of hope as the events show that many members of the community “are able to live their truth everyday despite the challenges they face,” and even as they strive to receive the same rights and protections as heterosexual persons.
In addition to the celebrations in June, the Vietnamese LGBTQ+ community has started organizing their own annual VietPride celebration in September. The 2024 theme was “Da Toi Luc” meaning “It’s time for inclusion.”
This year’s Pride Month saw an increase in the number of participants, an exciting sign that the tides are turning toward empathy and inclusion, with the rainbow flag flying alongside the Vietnamese flag.