The Vietnamese Ministry of Justice proposed legislation Monday to adopt a policy of “neither recognition nor condemnation” of same-sex marriage, Radio Free Asia reports.
Gay marriage is currently illegal in Vietnam and punishable with a fine. The new law, which would decriminalize but not legalize gay marriage, will be debated by the end of the year. The law would also give gay couples access to Vietnamese divorce law in the case of a separation.
According to the Ministry of Justice, the new law would improve human rights conditions for gay people and reduce discrimination, but “because gay marriage does not accord with Vietnamese culture and social customs, this behavior cannot receive legal recognition.”
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