WESTMINSTER – "Chuc Mung Nam Moi!"
The Vietnamese Lunar New Year greeting was a common refrain in Little Saigon
as lion dancers, martial artists, local politicians and other community groups
marched down Bolsa Avenue on Saturday morning at the city's annual Tet Parade.
This is the third year that the city has organized the parade. City officials
said there were more than 90 groups and 1,600 participants at this year's
parade. This was also the first time that various Vietnamese gay groups participated
in the traditional parade. That sparked a protest and boycott from the Catholic
Church and the Vietnamese Interfaith Council of America, causing the Kights
of Columbus to withdraw from the parade two days ago.
The gay groups – Song That Radio, the Vietnamese Gay Alliance, O-Moi and
The Vietnamese Lesbian and Bisexual Women Network and Friends – got a mixed
reaction from parade watchers. Some cheered and others booed – but most of
the spectators had no reaction to the cheery group dressed in traditional
Vietnamese costumes carrying rainbow flags and group signs.
"Go home," yelled Westminster resident Mai Nguyen, who was holding a sign
that read: "God created Man and Woman."
"I don't agree with what they say and do," Nguyen said. "I say don't ask,
don't tell. You don't have to show us what you believe in. We don't want
to see it."
Others said the gays have a right to march, just as anyone else.
"It's really unfortunate people are against them marching in a joyful community
parade," said Kimberly Nguyen, a Westminster resident. "They're people just
like us, no matter which path they choose."
But Ann Lam, who came to the United States in 1975 after the fall of Saigon,
said she is "ashamed" that homosexuals are part of her community.
"I'm disappointed," she said and yelled "Shame on you" as the groups walked
by. "But this is a free country. They can do what they do."
The four groups issued a prepared statement Saturday.
"Because we are part of the Vietnamese community, we feel that we, LGBT people,
have the right to join our families and fellow Vietnamese in celebration
of Tet," the statement read. "There is no better time to be united with our
families within the Vietnamese community."
Though these groups have been marching in San Jose's Tet Parade since 2004,
this is the first time they were participating in a Tet Parade in Orange
County's Little Saigon, which is home to the largest Vietnamese population
outside Vietnam.
Spectators at the parade said they were there to celebrate the spirit of
the New Year.
"I come to Little Saigon every weekend to shop," said Hachong Van of Anaheim.
"Today, I'm celebrating with my community."
Henry Duong, a Little Saigon resident, said he would come to the Tet Parade
every year.
"I don't care," he said. "It's a time for all us to be happy together."
Contact the writer: 714-796-7909 or dbharath@ocregister.com
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Dragon dancers liven up the parade route
as they celebrate the Year of the Tiger during the Westminster Tet Parade.
MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
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