Gay Kamp(uchea)

Hearing about the legalization of gay marriage in Utah and New Mexico has gotten me excited about returning to the States. But it occurred to me that even developing countries like Vietnam and Cambodia are dealing with gay marriage rights and recognition.

Vietnam was supposed to vote on the measure last year. Though the vote was delayed the communist country agreed to legalize gay weddings and to change the constitution to allow marriage between “two humans”.

Cambodia is not quite there yet. Interestingly the late King-Father Norodom Sihanouk made an open comment in 2004 in support of gay marriage, but the parliament has yet to agree. The society here seems to be accepting of it. The lack of Judeo-Christian values is probably a major contributor. Ultimately I think Cambodians are just practical people. And despite the communist rule, capitalism is king. I’ll write more about the homosexual tradition here when I visit Angkor Wat. In the meantime I was able to experience a different homosexual tradition: the token drag show. Complete with drag beauty contest.