Australian Government promotes rights of lesbians and gay, bisexual and transgender people in Vietnam

The Australian Government will provide more than VND2 billion (AUD99,600) in March 2012 to support a project aimed at raising awareness in Vietnam about the rights of lesbians and gay, bisexual and transgender people. The project will be administered by the Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment (iSEE), and aims to reduce discrimination against these groups through community education.

The project will directly reach an estimated 20,000 students and members of the public, 200 lesbians and gay, bisexual and transgender people, 500 of their parents and friends, and 75 government officials in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The project will use art-based activities such as contemporary plays and exhibitions to raise awareness about the rights of lesbians and gay, bisexual and transgender people. Training for officials will improve their understanding of the challenges these groups face, and help reduce discrimination. The project will also improve access to legal advice for people from these groups who are victims of discrimination.

“Lesbians and gay, bisexual and transgender people are a part of society, and their legal needs and rights should be respected,” Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Allaster Cox said.

“This project is expected to make a significant contribution to fighting discrimination against lesbians and gay, bisexual and transgender people.”

The funding will be provided through the Australian Government’s Human Rights Grants Scheme, which provides grant funding to non-government organisations and human rights institutions operating in developing countries to promote and protect human rights in direct and tangible ways.

For more information, please contact:
Ms Le Thi Anh Nga
Program Manager, AusAID
Tel. 04-8317755 Ext.172
Email: [email protected]