Most interviewed lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) street children are engaged in the sex trade and rely on only themselves for protection against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

These findings of a research on LGBT street children between the ages of 14-18 in HCM City, conducted by the Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment (iSEE) and Save the Children International (SCI) have been released in a workshop on protecting the rights of these children today.

Ph.d Nguyen Thu Nam of iSEE said HIV/AIDS serves as just one of the risks which these LGBT street children face.

She said the research showed that these children's lives were full of hazards, including irregular meals and sleeping places, lack of health care, threats of violence and harassment, and potential exposure to HIV and other diseases.

"Due to irregular eating and sleeping habits most participants reported symptoms of stomach problems and fatigue."

A number of interviewed children also reported instances of psychological crisis, which led to suicide attempts, drug abuse and self mutilation.

According to them, they had at one time or another experienced discrimination/prejudices from neighbours and passers-by. These were explicit by the way they stared at them, the words they said to them, and their gestures.

The research showed that parent objection regarding their child's gender and sexual identity served as a main push for children to leave home and lead a rough street life.

Nam said this objection was expressed via verbal abuse, unequal treatment, corporal punishment and other harsh measures.
Stale T. Risa, Norwegian Ambassador to Viet Nam said, "These young people – in a period of their lives where they are, like all adolescents, vulnerable – are often subject to social stigma and discriminatory practices."

He said basic social services and health care are inaccessible.

Research funded by Norway aims to generate knowledge and understanding about street children of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities and raise a discussion on how to better protect their rights. 

Source: VNS