Being gay is not a disease, Vietnam tells its medical workers in bid to end anti-LGBTQ discrimination

Hanoi — Being gay is not a disease, Vietnam has told its doctors, as it called on medical workers to end discrimination against the LGBTQ community. Campaigners told AFP on Tuesday the statement was a major step forward for LGBTQ rights in the Southeast Asian nation, where gay, bisexual and transgender people have long felt marginalized.

In an official document released last week, the health ministry said that "homosexuality cannot be 'cured', does not need 'to be cured' and cannot be changed."

It urged medical professionals to be "respectful" of gender and sexual orientation after receiving reports of doctors claiming they could treat gender minorities.