At the first-ever seminar on lesbianism held by the Centre for Studies and Applied Science in Gender, Family, Women and Adolescents (CSAGA), researchers also said that homosexuals suffer not only social but also family discrimination.

Parents and relatives’ support is necessary as it would help them gain confidence in overcoming social discrimination to find their own happiness, they noted.

Homosexuals are not depraved people, stressed CSAGA representative Tran Hong Diep, adding that they are normal people who live a normal life and different from others only in the sexual tendency. Most of them are independent and forward-looking persons, she added.

According to CSAGA’s report, the majority of the surveyed 40 lesbians in Hanoi in 2009 age between 21 and 25. Of the figure, 24 are living with their parents, only two have got married and 32 said they are lesbians.

Most of their parents shared the same view that homosexuality is an illness and a bad issue, said the report, adding that their strong protests have caused tensions and negative impacts on young people’s mental health.

To help lesbians gain confidence in their life, CSAGA has implemented a project “Supporting the lesbian, gay, bi and trans persons (LGBT)’s rights in Vietnam and encouraging men’s participation to prevent domestic violence” sponsored by the Swedish embassy.

The three-year project, that will end next year, aims to provide free phone consultations on lesbianism and conduct a preliminary survey on difficulties and challenges to lesbians who want to confirm their sexuality./.