A huge thank you to everyone who showed their support for the Tôi đồng ý campaign. We spoke to Institute for Studies of Society, Economy, and Environment (iSEE) about the campaign.
&: What is the Tôi đồng ý campaign about?
Starting from 10/2013, campaign “I Do” was initiated by the Vietnamese community of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allies to call for support for same-sex marriage. The action is very simple such as changing your avatar on online social network, taking pictures with the sign “I Do” and writing messages to the policy makers.
&: Why did you want to link with the ASEAN festival?
ASEAN Pride music festival celebrate the diversity. Everyone has the rights to freely expression, including living true and loving who they love. The message of “Tôi đồng ý” campaign shares the same value with APMS.
&: How important are events like these in raising awareness of the campaign?
Changes come in may ways. As “Tôi Đồng Ý” is a very good way for everyone to show their support for same-sex marriage, the message could be very straight-forward. With the link to culture events like APMS, everyone can have opportunity to understand the issues in another perspective. Music have its own language to connect people. So do love.
&: Is it important to have openly LGBT people in the public eye?
Yes, definitely. Stigma comes from lack of information and dialogue. People have to meet and feel LGBT as a very normal part of society.
