About Facing the Other

Recent political, legal and social shifts in relation to the rights and recognition of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people in Vietnam have facilitated increasing openness about the non-heteronormative preferences of young adults. However, established societal and familial norms related to the importance of heteronormative marriage and family values continue to impact significantly on the ways in which these young adults are able to live their lives. In this chapter, we examine young Vietnamese LGBTQ adults’ experiences of face-to-face encounters and their navigation of social interactions. The chapter is based on ethnographic fieldwork which involved semi-structured group and individual interviews with young women aged 20 to 29 who identified as lesbian, bisexual and/or queer, as well as employees at nongovernmental organizations dealing with LGBTQ issues and politics. The chapter sheds light on the ways in which young LGBTQ adults engage in impression management in order to “keep face” and not “lose face,” reducing their own vulnerability while also protecting their parents and upholding the collective face of the family. (Less)