Thursday, June 01, 2006
Hey, I Just Report the News...
Deutsche Presse-Agentur
June 1, 2006 Thursday 11:07 AM EST
LENGTH: 176 words
HEADLINE: Vietnam to legalize sex changes for some
DATELINE: Hanoi
BODY:
Vietnam plans to legalize medical procedures for people with gender disorders, but sex change surgeries will still be banned, an official with the health ministry said Thursday.
Under the new law, individuals who are considered androgynous, or have an anatomical disorder, are eligible for surgery, said Nguyen Huy Quang, deputy head of the Legislative Department under the Ministry of Health. After the surgery they will legally be able to change their birth certificates to reflect the "correct sex."
"If he or she is more like a man, the surgery will make him a man," Quang said. "But sex change surgeries for people with distinct sexual identities is not allowed and will not be allowed. That is a moral matter."
Sex reassignment surgery is illegal in Vietnam. Those who want the operation, and can afford it, usually travel to Thailand. But when they return home, the government has refused to change their legal documents to reflect their new name and gender.
The new rules are expected to go into effect before the end of the year.
June 1, 2006 Thursday 11:07 AM EST
LENGTH: 176 words
HEADLINE: Vietnam to legalize sex changes for some
DATELINE: Hanoi
BODY:
Vietnam plans to legalize medical procedures for people with gender disorders, but sex change surgeries will still be banned, an official with the health ministry said Thursday.
Under the new law, individuals who are considered androgynous, or have an anatomical disorder, are eligible for surgery, said Nguyen Huy Quang, deputy head of the Legislative Department under the Ministry of Health. After the surgery they will legally be able to change their birth certificates to reflect the "correct sex."
"If he or she is more like a man, the surgery will make him a man," Quang said. "But sex change surgeries for people with distinct sexual identities is not allowed and will not be allowed. That is a moral matter."
Sex reassignment surgery is illegal in Vietnam. Those who want the operation, and can afford it, usually travel to Thailand. But when they return home, the government has refused to change their legal documents to reflect their new name and gender.
The new rules are expected to go into effect before the end of the year.
