From murmurs to chants: a brief history of Viet Pride since 2012

*Đọc bản tiếng Việt

It feels like it’s been dozens of years since a wide-eyed, newly out young girl was standing agasp at the wonder of Stockholm Pride; an idea of one day celebrating it in her own conservative country gently blooming in her head. In truth, it has only been three. But that idea has grown into one of the most recognized events in regional LGBT communities, celebrated annually by thousands of people all over Vietnam – an event known as: Viet Pride.

Follow along as this blog narrates Viet Pride’s growth, from murmuring gossips and unanswered cold emails, to chants that shake and wake the grounds of LGBT stigma in this inherently, habitually traditional part of the world.

• Year 1

2012: A total of over 400 participants attended the 1st Viet Pride’s events

No one would have ever thought that 2012 would be a perfect year for LGBT activism in Vietnam. The entire nation was pre-occupied and infuriated by recent territorial disputes with neighboring countries. Human rights issues hardly seemed relevant. However, in early 2012, Vietnamese LGBT received an inducement from the government: they were considering legalizing same-sex marriage! The entire community latched onto this opportunity like fuel onto fire; within 1.5 months, the first Viet Pride was born.

It proved to be no simple task, as LGBT activism was still green in Vietnam. Discrimination and prejudice were the norm. Awareness and knowledge was limited even amongst LGBT individuals. “Just looking at homosexuals is revolting,” wrote one person who received invitations – a comment that later did get challenged, but did not rack up as much ruckus as it should have.

This comment is exactly what the year’s tagline “DIFFERENT BUT NOT DEVIANT” tried to argue. All in all, a total of over 400 people attended Viet Pride 2012’s indoor and outdoor events. They packed the conference room at the Goethe Institute, contributed major content to talks and dialogues, shared feelings at film screenings, and shouted the tagline with full lungs while biking 4 miles around Hanoi. They made a very clear, very solid statement: that Pride has come to Vietnam, to stay.

• Year 2

2013: The 2nd Viet Pride’s participants rallying in the streets of Hanoi for the right to love. Total headcount surged to over 700.

Smiley, fun and peaceful, Viet Pride 2013 was an impressive expansion both in program and in participation compared to the previous year. The theme “Strive with Pride” aimed to encourage LGBT individuals to come out, to express themselves freely and confidently. Since the first Viet Pride, LGBT life has gained significant attention from the public – which served as one of the motivations for Viet Pride 2013. The event also saw support and attendance from celebrities, most notably: Maika Elan – a young photographer who rose to fame for her project “The Pink Choice”, depicting naked realities of Vietnamese LGBT couples’ lives; Nguyen Ngoc Thach – an openly gay author; and Trung Anh – a contestant on Project Runway Vietnam who made waves after cross-dressing on the show.

The event also saw a rise in interest and involvement from the private sector. This is a critical and strategic development that will lead the betterment of LGBT lives in Vietnam.

Over 400 people came to the indoor events alone, and over 250 took part in the bike rally – now a tradition for Viet Pride. The event was live-streamed on Youtube, receiving words of encouragement from “Priders” all around the world.

Right after the 2nd Viet Pride in Hanoi, another Viet Pride in HCM. City was organized by ICS – marking Pride’s national expansion in Vietnam.

• Year 3

2014: Record crowd of 1300 with a massive party to wrap up Viet Pride’s annual bike rally

Under the theme “Together”, the 3rd Viet Pride was held with the purpose of bringing together all organizations and individuals working for the cause of LGBT in Vietnam. For such a young, small and fragmented social group, it is essential that the LGBT community in the country works to become a tight-knit one – one that has cohesive goals and aspirations, one that can make use of united resources and strengths.

Apart from usual activities such as film screenings, talks and conferences, Viet Pride 2014 introduced many other valuable additions. The affiliated project Viet Pride Scholarship had been prepared and advocated for during the year, with the award ceremony taking place on the opening day. There was also a networking event for Viet Pride’s important guests and contributors. On the 3rd day, our partners came together to hold a massive after-rally party at the American Club with music, dancing and a flea market. Viet Pride’s total headcount jumped to over 1300 – making 2014 its most well-attended year yet.

Other cities also joined in the movement, and Viet Pride was celebrated in over 30 different locations in Vietnam within a month.

A summary of Viet Pride’s growth from 2012 to 2014.

(For more information on reports & how to get involved, please write to vietpride@vietpride.org)

• Year 4

2015: Viet Pride will take place in Hanoi from 31/7 to 2/8 under the theme “We are queer, we are here”

This summer, Viet Pride is coming back with yet another ambition. This time around, we will be chanting that “We are queer, we are here” – a familiar tagline for Pride world-wide. This will be the year where LGBT visibility will become apparent. So much so, that LGBT-related issues will no longer be swept under the rug, the Vietnamese public will no longer detain the notion of LGBT in their peripheral visions, and LGBT dialogues and discussions will no longer be shooed to the corner of society.

The official dates have been announced as 31/7, 1/8 and 2/8. Please follow our website and fanpage for more detailed information.