Fridae

Themed “Strive with Pride”, Vietnam's second pride parade (and bicycle rally) will take place on 2-4 August in Hanoi.

In addition to workshops, film screenings, happy hours and the repetition of last years’ successful bicycle rally, Viet Pride team will launch Say Yes to Employment Equality Campaign and Strive with Pride scholarships to encourage businesses to join the LGBT movement in Vietnam and to contribute to closing the education opportunity gap respectively.

Organizers plan to grant about 6 scholarships to LGBT people to support them in pursuing or continuing studies in Vietnam.

“Strive with Pride Scholarships aim to help financially-disadvantaged LGBT youth to reach their goals and release their potential through education. The scholarships will also encourage them to be proud of who they are and to become the subjects of pride of their families, teachers, and others”, said Nguyen Thanh Tam, head of Viet Pride Committee.

With the financial assistance from these scholarships, LGBT people can pursue vocational training, undergraduate studies, or English enrichment.
As an addition to the scholarship project, the team prepares to launch Employment Equality campaign identify the most and the least LGBT-friendly businesses in Vietnam to inform the consumers’ buying choices.

“The consumption patterns are changing- consumers want to know more about the background of the products and services they are paying for, and social corporate responsibility is becoming a global trend. We are producing a guide to help Vietnamese consumers to support businesses that act in compliance with LGBT equality and exercise their buying power”, said Victoria Stetsko, one of the Viet Pride organizers.

By supporting the pro-equality brands Viet Pride discourages discrimination based on sexual orientation, and promotes more respectful and tolerant attitude towards sexual minorities.

Viet Pride 2013 has drawn media attention earlier this month after the project received US$6000 from a Swedish organization. This money will cover the logistical and organizational costs, while according to the project’s official Facebook page and website, organizers are looking forward to more financial support from local and international organizations and businesses to sponsor the scholarships.

Facebook: Viet Pride 2013