Vietnam has taken some important first steps toward same-sex marriage recognition, with hope remaining that it will happen in the future, the founder of a U.S. coalition committed to the freedom of same-gender couples to marry has said.

Gay rights advocate Evan Wolfson spent 32 years leading the Freedom to Marry movement to a grand victory in June 2015, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is a legal right nationwide.

The Freedom to Marry founder and president has since devoted his time to advising and assisting diverse movements and causes in the U.S. and around the world, those that are eager to adapt the model and apply the lessons that made his campaign so successful.

For that reason, he was in Vietnam last week to attend the annual LGBT festival 2016 Viet Pride, and had several talks about the gay rights movement with local LGBT activists and supporters.

He sat down for an interview with Tuoi Tre News in Ho Chi Minh City on August 22, with talk revolving around how Vietnam has been going about reducing discrimination against gay people in the country.

* Could you give an overall comment about what Vietnam has done to improve public awareness about the LGBT community and protect their rights?

What I see is that the government is seriously thinking about how to end discrimination and exclusion that harms not just gay people but their families in Vietnam.

When gay people are excluded, it weakens everybody, and I think the government understands that it is important to bring all Vietnamese together, strengthen all families and to promote respect for all Vietnamese, including LGBT people.

So the government has made some important steps and I think the world is watching. But there’s still more to do.

* Can you be more specific?

First of all, when gay people are denied the freedom to marry, it means that they are not able to strengthen their family.

So first and foremost I think it is important that Vietnam continues moving forward to secure their freedom to marry and make a legal commitment that binds family in a good way.

Of course, Vietnam will not be the first country to do this. We now have the freedom to marry in 22 countries all around the world. That’s one billion people who live in a freedom to marry country -- 13 percent of the world’s population. So surely the people in Vietnam deserve just as much.

* But the government here already allows same-sex marriage, even though they do not recognize it. This openness is a positive sign, isn’t it?

I give the government a lot of credit for taking the important first steps to reduce discrimination and to allow ceremonies and support private celebrations that help people see family and helps promote visibility which also builds support. This is a very good first step and a lot of people around the world were surprised to see Vietnam -- the National Assembly -- actually vote to allow that.

But it is not enough. The government still discriminates in not allowing [gay] couples to marry the same as any other couple.

So the government has taken an important step forward; it is clearly thinking about this; it is clearly moving in the right direction; but it has to finish the job.

* What’s your outlook about that final step to finish the job here in Vietnam?

I’m very hopeful about Vietnam’s opportunity to move forward.

I think when the government takes encouraging steps it helps move public opinion. When we have conversations, it creates more support in the public which makes it easier for the government to move forward.

So I see a lot happening here, much more than people think outside. And I think it is part of Vietnam’s rise in the eyes of the world.

Freedom to Marry President Evan Wolfson (R) speaks at a panel discussion at the American Center in Ho Chi Minh City on August 22, 2016. Photo: Son Luong/ Tuoi Tre News

* The Viet Pride march had its debut back in 2012 amid strong opposition from both the government and the public. But the organizers managed to overcome all challenges and this year marked their fifth edition. What would you say about those efforts?

Viet Pride is certainly an opportunity to celebrate and increase the visibility of gay people here in Vietnam. But it cannot be just a one-week movement.

We have to keep doing the work all year round. What we want is to have more people in Vietnam better understand who gay people are as part of the family. Gay people are not some others who come from the sky - they are part of the family, part of the community.

* There’s a story I must share with you. Young people in Vietnam have very different views of LGBT people than their parents. When an adult uses offensive words to refer to gay people, their children will correct them. Does this impress you?

Very much. I think young people have a very important voice. And young people have grown in up in a world where they hear the word gay and marriage in the same sentence -- in a way that earlier generations didn’t. So young people can grow up and help their parents, and their government and others better understand them.

* U.S. Ambassador in Vietnam Ted Osius has repeatedly shown his support to the LGBT community in Vietnam and contributed greatly to increase people’s awareness about gay people during his term here. Do you think Vietnam needs more high-profile role models to better attract the attention of the public?

It is partly about famous people, but also partly about ordinary people breaking the silence and having the conversation like you talked about the young people correcting their parents. We need all of that.

It’s to Vietnam’s credit that Vietnam has welcomed a gay ambassador, his husband, their children and their parents - three-generations of family here in Vietnam. You have welcomed them and that proves the opportunity in Vietnam and the willingness of the government to keep moving. This is a wonderful thing.

I think that Vietnam in 2016 is not where we were when we started in the U.S. You are much further. The people are more willing to be fair; the government is already thinking about this question; the activists are willing to strategize on how they can help; now everybody just needs to put their shoulders together and get the job done.

Many countries here in Asia and around the world are having these conversations and I would like to see Vietnam be at the forefront.

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