Homosexual youngsters ill treated at school

A majority of homosexual students are suffering from communal discrimination and violence, according to experts addressing a workshop in Hanoi.

A majority of homosexual students are suffering from communal discrimination and violence, including from their friends and teachers, according to experts addressing a workshop in the capital on May 16.

A scene of a recent film on life of homosexual young people in Vietnam

The event took place on the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) on May 17.

A recent survey conducted by the Centre for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population on 520 homosexual, bisexual and transexual people with an average age of 21, revealed that nearly 41 per cent had suffered discrimination and violence at school or university.

Seventy percent of these said they had been given offensive names while 38 per cent said they were treated unfairly.

As a result, 35 per cent of those claiming they had been ill-treated said they had considered committing suicide with half of these admitting they had actually tried to take their own lives.

Motivated by the situation, the Sexual Rights Alliance, consisting of six non-governmental organisations as founding members, sent a letter to Minister of Education Pham Vu Luan demanding the fair treatment of young students at educational institutions.

While awaiting a response, the alliance will organise various activities to raise social awareness, including an exhibition and a play.