Contemporary Issues, 1st prize
The Pink Choice
Maika Elan
MoST Artists
MoST Artists
14 July, 2011
Vietnam has historically been unwelcoming to same-sex couples, but in 2012 the Vietnamese government announced it was considering recognizing same-sex marriage, a move that would make it the first Asian country to do so.
Maika Elan
Maika Elan (Nguyen Thanh Hai) is a freelance photographer based in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. After studying sociology at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Hanoi,...
Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanh (24), a sex worker, and his partner Hai (47), a taxi driver, have been together for a year.
Vietnam has historically been unwelcoming to same-sex couples, but in 2012 the Vietnamese government announced it was considering recognizing same-sex marriage, a move that would make it the first Asian country to do so. Despite past human rights issues and a long-standing stigma against homosexuality, parliamentary debate on same-sex marriage was scheduled for 2013. Polls showed that majority public opinion remained opposed to the idea. In August 2012, the country’s first gay pride parade took place in Hanoi.
Through our education programs, the World Press Photo Foundation encourages diverse accounts of the world that present stories with different perspectives.
Our exhibitions showcase stories that make people stop, feel, think and act to a worldwide audience.
Our annual contest recognizes and rewards the best in photojournalism and documentary photography.