Marriage Equality...In Vietnam?

From Thahn Nien News.com:

The Ministry of Justice is collecting opinions from agencies and organizations about the legalization of same-sex marriage as it drafts modifications to the current marriage laws, VnExpress reported Friday.

In its latest letters to social organizations and related agencies, the ministry said it is considering legalizing same-sex marriage because increasing numbers of homosexual, bisexual and transgender people were coming out and declaring their sexual orientations.

Their need to get married and live together is also increasing, while the Law on Marriage and Family issued in 2000 outlaws same-sex marriage, the ministry said.

“To guarantee personal freedom, the marriage between same sex people needs to be recognized...”

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In May, authorities in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang fined a family for organizing a public celebration of their son’s marriage to another man.

A few years ago, a lesbian couple in the southern province of Ca Mau was also fined for organizing a similar wedding ceremony.

I'm sure the country is a ways away from really having marriage equality like, say, Canada has. However, if they end up beating the States to marriage equality, this country should collectively hang its head in shame. You can read the article in its entirety HERE.