Radio Yerevan (AM) by Armen Ohanyan: Մի սիրո պատմություն, կամ գույնափոխ Երևան

Today Armenia marks the short-lived independent First Republic Day. I’d suggest listening to the Radio Yerevan citybook by Armenian contemporary writer Armen Ohanyan. He tells the story of Yerevan, his version of Yerevan diaries, via love letters between two women: Yerevan and Araks. 

Selected extracts below. For the full version, listen to the podcast (below), or read the transcript (AM) here.

[Արմեն Օհանյան]

Moving forward. NOT: Երեւանյան մետրոն մեր առաջընթացի պատմությունն է. նախատեսում էին 38 կայարան, 10-ից ավելի գիծ, ու հիմա ունենք մի գիծ, 10 կայարան: Սկիզբը լավ դրեցինք: Գիտե՞ք, ասում են՝ անունը ճակատագիր է: Մենք շատ լավ սկսեցինք՝ մետրոյի առաջին կայարանի անունը դնելով «Բարեկամություն», բայց ամեն անգամ, որ լսում եմ` «Գարեգին Նժդեհ. վերջին կայարանն է», մազերս բիզ-բիզ են կանգնում, հասկանում եմ, որ էս կետում վերջանում է մեր քաղաքային առաջընթացի պատմությունը, եւ խորհրդանշական առումով էլ` քաղաքակրթվելու գործընթացը:

The HOPE: Երեւանն արդեն իսկ իր նոր երգը ցածրաձայն երգում է նրանց ձայներով, ովքեր դարերով լռեցվել են, եղել են ձայնազուրկ. ուշադիր եղեք եւ կլսեք:

- [...] ի՞նչն է ձեզ հույս ներշնչում, որ նախկինում վարդագույն, ներկայումս մոխրագույն Երեւանը վաղը լինելու է բազմերանգ` ծիածանագույն:

-Ինձ հույս է ներշնչում մեր զրույցը, որ կայացավ, իսկ սրանից 5 տարի առաջ ուղիղ եթերում կլռեցնեին: Ամեն մի ընդվզում, անհնազանդություն, ցանկացած մակարդակում, ուղղված է անօրինակարգ իշխանությունների դեմ. եթե անգամ տանն աղջիկը բռնակալ հոր դեմ հոխորտում է, դա արդեն քաղաքական գործողություն է: Ու ես իրեն ասում եմ՝ ապրես, չվախենաս, բաց պորտդ ու դուրս արի փողոց, բանի տեղ մի դիր սեւ գորտերի կռկռոցը, նրանք ինձ տարիներով վախեցնում են, բայց ես գլուխս բարձր քայլում եմ, որովհետև իմը սերն է, ոչ թե ատելությունը: Հեղափոխությունը սեր է ու հանուն սիրո պայքար, իսկ սերը սեռ ու տարիք չի ճանաչում:

LOVE Letters 

Araks to Yerevan: Քո մարմինն իրական է, սիրած աղջկա մարմին, որ պիտի սուզվի իմ կրքի ջրերում, շունչը պահած՝ լող տա, իջնի ջրի հատակը, մինչեւ օդի ոչ մի կաթիլ էլ չմնա թոքերիդ մեջ, ու հետո բարձրանա ալիքի վրա եւ մակերեսին տարուբերվի էնքան ժամանակ, մինչեւ մեր ջրերը երկուստեք հետ քաշվեն: [...]

Սերս, ես մենակ մի բան եմ ուզում, որ մեր սավանը երբեք անբիծ չմնա, ուզում եմ՝ սիրո թաց հետքերը չհասցնեն չորանալ, որ մեր բակի խանութում լվացքի փոշին վերջանա, տանն էլ մաքուր սավան չմնա, իսկ մենք շարունակենք գիշերուզօր կաթկթել սիրուց, բայց մեջս դեռ խլրտացող միջատ վախ կա` քարի վախը: Ես վախենում եմ էս քարերից` մեջը լիքը արյուն, որ մի օր մեր գլխին կտան, ես վախենում եմ քարկոծվելուց: Էս քար սրտերը մեր սիրահեղուկի հետքերով կգան ու կբռնեն մեզ, ինձ ու քեզ կկապեն սպիտակ սավանով եւ մի բարձր քարի ծերից խոր ձորը կշպրտեն:

Ուրեմն գիշեր-ցերեկ սեր պիտի անենք. վերջին միջատին սատկացնելու ուրիշ ձեւ չկա: Ամեն գիշեր պիտի հարթուկենք հայոց լեռները, սարերը շուռ տանք ու հավասարեցնենք քո անուշ հոտով ներծծված սավանին, մինչեւ որ մեր սիրահեղուկից չփափկեն բոլոր-բոլոր քարերը, ապառաժները ճաքեր չտան, ժայռերը չկակղեն ու չհալվեն, որ մենք հայտվենք անծայրածիր կանաչ դաշտում, եւ երբ բացվի առավոտը` էն գրքում գրած Արարատյան դաշտի լուսապայծառ առավոտը, մենք վերջապես հանգիստ, անվտանգ ու առանց վախի՝ կփռվենք, թավալգլոր կտանք փափուկ դաշտ դարձած մեր աշխարհում: Հետո, երբ մենք կգնանք գործի` գիշեր լինի, թե ցերեկ, մեկ է՝ էլի չենք բաժանվի, ես կգործարկեմ մեքենայի շարժիչը, քո ձայնը, ալիք դարծած, կհասնի ականջիս, ու ես կհոսեմ քաղաքի փողոցներով:

Բոլորն ասին՝ Արաքս, դու գիժ ես, երկու կարմիր դիպլոմ տանը դրած՝ գնում ես տաքսի քշես մի քաղաքում, ուր, քեզնից բացի, աղջիկ տաքսիստ երեւի չկա էլ, բայց, պարզվեց, կար մի ամբողջ սերվիս՝ «Փինք» անունով, միայն կանանց եւ աղջիկների համար: Ինձ միանգամից գործի ընդունեցին, որովհետեւ դու բարեխոսել էիր, դու, ում ձայնով սիրեցի, իմ միակ սեր, իմ սիրուն Երեւան:

Yerevan: [...] Էդպես մեր ամուր, հայկական, օրինակելի ընտանիքն իր համար, ազգային երգուպարով տարված, ապրում էր` պետական տոների օրացույցային երջանկության մեխանիկայով, էժանագին փառքի դափնիներին բազմած, մինչեւ որ անճոռնի ճուտիկը` հանձին ինձ, մեծացավ ու հակառակ ծնողների բոլոր սպասումների` չվերածվեց կարապի: [...]

Երկրորդ հիասթափությունն աններելի էր: Հայրս ինձ բռնացրեց սեքսի պահին, ոնց որ հիմար ֆիլմերում է լինում, երբ ամուսինը գործուղումից վերադառնում է շատ անսպասելիորեն, իսկ սիրեկանը դեռ չի հասցրել պատուհանից դուրս ցատկել: Ընտանիքս ինձնից երես թեքեց: Ես որոշեցի առանձին ապրել, չնայած ինձ արդեն քաղաքավարի կերպով հասկացրել էին, որ տնից դուրս կանեն, եթե չբուժվեմ: Ես, բնականաբար, չբուժվեցի: Դվինից բացի, ամբողջ ընտանիքը բարեւս մոռացավ, մենակ նա է, որ հետս իր կապը չկտրեց: Ծանր ժամանակներ էին, ռադիոյում քիչ էին վճարում, դրա համար էլ շաբաթվա մեջ մի քանի օր «Փինք» տաքսի սերվիսում դիսպետչեր էի աշխատում: Հետո հայտնվեց Արաքսը, եւ ամեն ինչ իր տեղն ընկավ: Ձայնս ռադիոյով լսել, հավանել էր, ասում է՝ դու ինձ կանչեցիր: Եկավ ծանոթացավ, ի վերջո իր ուզածին հասավ: Հիմա միասին ենք ապրում: Գիշեր-ցերեկ միասին ենք, միասին ենք անգամ հերթափոխի դուրս գալիս, ինքը քշում է, ես ուղղություն եմ տալիս: Արաքսն ինձ ստիպեց սիրել անունս, մի բան, որ էդպես էլ չհաջողվեց հորս, բայց սա լրիվ ուրիշ պատմություն է, իսկ էս մեկը պատմում էր, թե ինչպես Երեւանը դադարեց գոյություն ունենալ իմ Արարատ հոր ու Հայաստան մոր համար, որովհետեւ վարդագույն դուրս եկավ:


Relevant: Armenia: in need of REVOLUTION

Part IV: the aftermath of church-led homophobic attacks in Georgia. PM Ivanishvili delivers groundbreaking Independence Day speech

Waking up with hangover and watching #Ivanishvili talking about homophobia in his Independence Day speech. I hope I'm not still drunk
— Sh. Khinchagashvili (@lishtotah) May 26, 2013

No, he was not drunk.

What happened in Tbilisi on 17 May was a disgrace for Georgia. As I said in my previous post, under the facade of "democracy", we witnessed Middle Ages in the country aimed at European integration.  However, the follow-up to 17 May brings a ray of hope that - after all - the *change* is happening, and Georgia may well recover from the defeat as a modern country and an example for the South Caucasus.

What is different, e.g. from last year homophobic attacks in Armenia, is the reaction of top level officials. Instead of silence or endorsement of attacks, you see PM using the Independence Day speech to condemn homophobia and re-assert equal rights of citizens, “regardless of ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation”. This is pretty groundbreaking for the whole region and beyond.

Says Ivanishvili: “I promise that we will stand against illegality,” Ivanishvili continued. “At last everyone in our country will be equal before the law regardless of ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation.” 

“I promise that no one will be punished for being different, for free opinion and speech,” he said. “We are devoted to our traditions, custom, but accepting and creating new is also part of our tradition. We should be dignified not only in being dedicated to our traditions, but also in respecting others' traditions and custom.” 

“We should always be critical towards xenophobic and homophobic views locked up in pseudo traditionalism, as well as towards thoughtlessly imitating everything that is foreign and new,” Ivanishvili said.

Do not expect anything similar in Armenia on 28th May - the First Republic Day.

I don't want to think how many decades (centuries?) it'll take before an Armenian PM publicly condemns #homophobia on independence day. Sigh
— Sona Dilanyan (@SonaDilanyan) May 26, 2013

***
In related news. There has been reports on increased number of homophobic incidents in Tbilisi following 17 May IDAHO attacks. On the other hand, criminal charges have been filed against some attackers, including at least 2 priests.

Along with homophobic rally, there has been a “No to theocracy” one. Great photostory is available on Civil.ge (selected photos below). Hilarious internet memes, especially “taburetka” related, are in abundance.

*A demonstrator at No to Theocracy rally at the monument to mother tongue holds a banner reading "No to Religious Nationalism". Photo: Guram Muradov/Civil.ge

*A demonstrator at No to Theocracy lies on the ground holding a banner reading: "Why don’t you run over us directly with your SUVs instead of chasing us with stools and nettles" – the banner makes a reference to a recent debates in which some senior Orthodox clerics were criticized for driving luxury cars in the country with large number of socially vulnerable population. Photo: Guram Muradov/Civil.ge

*A demonstrator at No to Theocracy rally holds an image depicting a priest with a stool - one of those numerous cartoons that became Internet memes in Georgia, originating from those videos and photos from the May 17 homophobic violence in downtown Tbilisi, which show an Orthodox priest, father superior at Ioane-Tornike Eristavi Monastery Iotam (Irakli) Basilaia grabbing a stool and chasing gay rights activists. Father Iotam is one of those two clerics which are facing criminal charges in connection to the May 17 developments. Photo: Guram Muradov/Civil.ge

Of course, it will be interesting to see how this will develop. Whether the people and leadership of Georgia will have enough determination to challenge Georgian Orthodox Church’s domination and interference into secular affairs. And whether the rule of law and Constitution, rather than “traditions” and religious dogma will prevail. Good luck, Georgia !!

Part I: Victory for homophobes. Defeat for Georgia

Part II: LGBT activists under attack in Tbilisi: Georgian police and politicians

Part III: Criminal church: Georgian Orthodox Church incited and led anti-gay attacks in Tbilisi

Amnesty International names and shames Armenia's ԷՇ + more

Amnesty International released its annual 2013 country specific reports. Although the reports are brief and not comprehensive, they do point out to some important developments and human rights problems.

In Armenia, the Amnesty reflected on parliamentary election, freedom of expression, including nationalist hysteria and attacks towards Azeri film festival, poor conditions and ill-treatment in Armenian prisons, alternative (to army) service due to conscientious objectors.

Civil society activists attempting to hold a festival of Azerbaijani films in Armenia were subjected to violent attacks and forced to cancel the event on two occasions. On 12 April, dozens of protesters blocked the venue of the film festival, scheduled in Armenia’s second city, Gumri. They physically assaulted Giorgi Vanyan, the organizer and chairman of the local Caucasus Centre for Peace-Making Initiatives, and forced him to publicly announce that the festival was cancelled. Festival organizers reported that the local authorities had harassed and used psychological pressure to dissuade them from holding the event. 

On 16 April, another attempt to hold the film festival in the city of Vanadzor at the Helsinki Citizens Assembly (HCA) office also prompted public protests and violence. Approximately 200 people – including students, political party members and veterans from the Nagorno-Karabakh war – gathered in front of the HCA office. They forced their way into the premises, vandalizing office equipment, throwing eggs and rocks and injuring one member of staff. Police officers present throughout failed to intervene to ensure the safety of the staff members or to stop the violence. Despite the HCA’s requests, additional police did not arrive until after the incident. After an investigation, one woman was fined for throwing a stone at the building, but no thorough or impartial investigation took place. The authorities failed to condemn the violence.

The Amnesty specifically mentioned the attacks on gay friendly DIY bar and endorsement of such attacks by ARF Dashnaktsutyun MPs and ԷՇ [ESh - Eduard Sharmazanov], spokesperson of ruling Republican party and deputy speaker of the Armenia parliament. If the trend continues, soon ԷՇ related label will rival other top labels on this blog.

On 8 May, a gay-friendly bar in the capital, Yerevan, was attacked. Two people were caught on a security camera throwing Molotov cocktails through the windows. However, police reportedly only arrived at the scene 12 hours later to investigate the attack. Two young men were arrested as part of the investigation, but were bailed shortly afterwards by two MPs for the nationalist Armenian Revolutionary Federation –Dashnaktsutyun party (ARF). They condoned the attack, saying it was in line with “the context of societal and national ideology”. Eduard Sharmazanov, spokesperson for the ruling Republican Party and Parliamentary Deputy Speaker was quoted justifying the violent attack in local newspapers.

Part III: Criminal church: Georgian Orthodox Church incited and led anti-gay attacks in Tbilisi

“The head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Ilia II, has called for calm after violence that erupted after aggressive anti-gay protesters, led by Orthodox clergy, thwarted a rally by a small group of gay rights activists to mark the International Day Against Homophobia on May 17.”

Really, Patriarch Ilia? So, first you incite violence by your actions and by Georgian Orthodox church priests leading the attack towards gay rights event participants. And then, post factum, you “call for calm” and continue: “We distance from violence,” Patriarch Ilia II said in a televised remarks on Friday evening.”

I do not think so. You can’t so easily “distance from violence”. You and your church are acting so outside the law.

Let’s look at the selection of photos below that truly made me speechless. I want to pretend that these are the images from nightmares, or films, or from completely different era. But these are the images from the heart of “modern Tbilisi”.

*picture by © Onnik Krikorian 2013

And this animated picture clearly shows a Georgian priest, 'servant of God', attacking bus escorting LGBT activists:

*ready to attack... with "taburetka" (source: liberali.ge)

Here are other eyewitness accounts: 17 May, IDAHO: – Georgian society showed its embedded ‘hospitality’ and ‘tolerance’

*Women in front of old Parliament building holding nettle. 

They were told that nettle is not a weapon so they could use them to hit homosexuals. (source)  

*Bringing stinging nettles to a rally to beat any LGBT activists with... (*picture by © Onnik Krikorian 2013)

*Young girl asking everybody to give her a bottle or stone to throw towards activists. 

She was really excited  and happy to be part of the violent demonstration, finally! (source)  

Another eyewitness account: The Day That God Died (read also her blog post a day before: Before the Battle)

Pretty telling title of the New York Times piece: Crowd Led by Priests Attacks Gay Rights Marchers in Georgia

"They wanted to kill all of us,” said Irakli Vacharadze, the head of Identoba, the Tbilisi-based gay rights advocacy group that organized the rally. Nino Bolkvadze, 35, a lawyer for the group who was among the marchers, said that if they had not been close to the buses when the violence began, “we would all have been corpses.”

Civil.ge: Amnesty International has called on the Georgian authorities to investigate the violence and bring to justice those responsible: “It is becoming a dangerous trend in Georgia to condone and leave unpunished the acts of violence against religious and sexual minorities if they are perpetrated by the Orthodox religious clergy or their followers. It is simply unacceptable for the authorities to continue to allow attacks in the name of religion or on the basis of anyone's real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity,” said John Dalhuisen, Europe and Central Asia Programme Director at Amnesty International.

Giga Bokeria, Secretary of National Security Council criticised those Orthodox clergy, who led anti-gay protesters and said: “Any cleric, who commits violence or calls for violence in a dangerous situation, is committing a crime, according to the Georgian legislation. I hope there will be people in the Church who will say this. But, unfortunately, in today’s developments ‘moral’ initiative was in the hands of those, who preach hatred and commit violence. These people should be punished in accordance to the law.”
***
To sum up: on 17th May 2013, the Georgian Orthodox Church displayed itself like a typical outlaw, like some kind of terrorist group or similar. And to conclude, few more reactions, as posted on Twitter:
‏
@CrazyPsyKO: The Taliban and the Orthodox zealot-priests on the streets of #Tbilisi, #Georgia today have rather more in common than beards.

‏@onewmphoto: After yesterday's shameful homophobic mob rule, Georgia's future will now be determined by whether the Church's obscene power is challenged.

@onewmphoto: One thing's for sure. The Georgian Church has proven itself to be the main obstacle to Georgia's democratization. This needs to be addressed

Part I: Victory for homophobes. Defeat for Georgia

Part II: LGBT activists under attack in Tbilisi: Georgian police and politicians

Part IV: the aftermath of church-led homophobic attacks in Georgia. PM Ivanishvili delivers groundbreaking Independence Day speech

Armenia: video against anti-LGBT bullying in schools - Words hurt | Բառերը խոցում են

Video against anti-LGBT bullying in Armenia schools prepared by Teen Liars and PINK Armenia. Extremely important topic. Happy to see that Teen Liars and PINK Armenia work closely to raise the issue and (hopefully) subsequently tackle it.

Anti-LGBT bullying, stigmatizing and harassment in schools can have heavy consequences.
Ուսումնական հաստատություններում ԼԳԲՏ անձանց պիտակավորումը, ծաղրանքը, ճնշումներ գործադրելն առաջացնում է ծանր հետևանքներ:

 

First Memorandum by the Regional Network Against Homophobia (Middle East, North Africa, Balkans, South Caucasus)

“The Regional Network Against Homophobia”, established in May 2011 with the participation of LGBTIQ organizations and initiatives in the Middle East, North Africa, the Balkans and Caucasus, is declaring its first Annual Memorandum on how the year of 2012 looked concerning the LGBTIQ people’s human rights in 18 countries: Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Egypt, Georgia, Greece, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Macedonia, Montenegro, Palestine, Serbia, Tunisia and Turkey.

“Memorandum 2013” has been prepared in dedication to May 17, International Day Against Homophobia. The Network stands against homophobia and transphobia but also against sexism, nationalism, militarism and religious conservatism that perpetuate the heterosexist ideology.

This Memorandum is a true summary of the large scale of homophobia and transphobia which ranges from criminalisation and executions to condemning LGBTIQ society in the name of religion, morality or even “fighting capitalism”.

[For the full text of the Memorandum - see Kaos GL and PINK Armenia]

We call upon our governments to take their responsibilities and our demands very seriously and start acting by the international law with ensuring a protection of the LGBTIQ rights and ensure an effective amendment and implementation of the legislations.

WE DEMAND

-Respect, protection and fulfillment of the human rights of LGBTIQ people

-The right to live a safe life in dignity

-The decriminalization of homosexuality

-Adequate legal protection from hate crimes and hate propaganda

-Support for the LGBTIQ human rights defenders and civil society groups, with programmatic and financial assistance

-Non-discriminatory education on sexuality, sexual orientation and gender identity, and training of teachers and school personnel on homophobic and transphobic bullying in all schools

-Informal education and continuous informing of general population on homophobia, transphobia and heterosexism

-Training of law enforcement personnel to deal respectfully and effectively with homophobic and transphobic violence

-Protection of LGBTIQ people from discrimination at workplace

-Establishing information channels for coordination and working contexts for cooperation of the state institutions and LGBTIQ organizations and groups for developing, improving and implementation of the non-discrimination policies regarding the LGBTIQ people

-Efficient legal protection in sport against of any kind discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation

-Equality in access and support for participation in sport of all including gender identity and sexual orientation on all levels

The struggle to end discrimination against LGBTIQ people is a global challenge, and one that is also a priority in promoting human rights. This challenge is easier to be achieved, if it is fought with united forces, not just on national but also on a regional and global level. Therefore, we all have signed this document seeking for support from everywhere. The fight for human rights violated somewhere is a responsibility to everyone from everywhere.

We want our countries to remember the responsibility they have for the LGBTIQ society and we call upon our governments to protect a whole category of people living and seeking for the respect of their rights.

WE CONDEMN

Albania

• Hate speech and incitement to hatred by public figures from politics and media
• Having to struggle everyday to push for institutions to properly condemn such cases of discrimination

Algeria

• Criminalization of homosexual acts and cross-dressing
• Existence of no civil rights laws that prohibit unfair discrimination or harassment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity

Armenia

• Attacks of nationalist groups on LGBTIQ and feminists events
• Hate speech being propagated by members of Parliament and mass media

Azerbaijan

• Police abuses against gays, mainly male sex workers
• Usage of homosexuality by state-controlled media outlets as a tool to harass and discredit critics of the government and opposition journalists

Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Frequent and increasing hate crimes, violence and threats against LGBTIQ persons and activists
• Lack of proper regulation of legal gender recognition of transgender and transsexual persons as well as  inadequate and complicated legal procedures for this recognition

Croatia

• Violence, hate speech and discrimination in sport that has been repeatedly re-surfacing in sport vanes, locker rooms and sport institutions through fan slurs and violence, stereotyping by coaches and sport officials

Egypt

• The attack of several extremist groups against the LGBTIQ  people
• The homophobic discourse of the government and media
• Sexual and bodily interventions by The Muslim Brothers

Georgia

• Religious and nationalist attacks on the LGBTIQ society
• Eviction of LGBTIQ persons from media and social spheres

Greece

• The targeted attacks in Athens and other Greek cities by organized teams of far-right thugs on LGBTQI persons in the public space
• The lack of official recognition of organized far-right violence against LGBTQI persons
• Lack of official recognition and adequate legal protections for sexual orientation and gender identity
• The disregard of LGBTIQ rights on the excuse of the economic crisis

Iraq

• The use of criminal or personal status laws in order to criminalize non-conforming sexual and gender identities and formations in Iraq
• The misuse of Iraqi LGBTIQ rights in order to encourage foreign interference and an erasure of their culture and peoples

Israel

• The use of Palestinian LGBTIQ struggle to pinkwash the image of Israel and hide the reality of racist polices, apartheid and occupation

Lebanon

• Sexual and bodily interventions and arrests on the grounds of morality and ethics
• Anal and vaginal examination as a form of validation of conducting adultery and determining sexual orientation/activity
• The lack of will by the police and Ministry of Justice to protect LGBTIQ people from arbitrary arrests based on sexual orientation and gender identity as civil society and public health syndicates recommended

Macedonia

• The attacks on the LGBTIQ human rights defenders
• The attacks on  the LGBTI Support Center
• The homophobic campaign by the government and media

Montenegro

• The attacks on LGBTIQ persons, as well as civil society activists engaged in promoting and protecting LGBTIQ rights in the field

Palestine

• Not only the oppression of the LGBTIQ society by the Israeli regime, but also the siege of lives by Islamist groups as well as seculars in the name of “morality”

Serbia

• The constant tyranny of the hooligans every time there is an intent for organizing a pride or any other event with LGBTIQ context

Tunisia

• Discrimination based on gender
• The penalization of homosexuality
• Hate crimes and insecurity experienced by the LGBTIQ society
• The practice of anal test by police

Turkey

• Complete negligence of LGBTIQ reality in social, labor, educational and legal spheres
• Hate speeches by government representatives and conservative media
• The use of “unjust provocation” factor in hate murder cases which reduces the punishment and therefore awards the offenders
• Refusal of addressing LGBTIQ reality in the Constitution, Anti-Discrimination Bill and the absence of a Hate Crime legislation 

PINK Armenia: Rainbow flashmob to mark IDAHO in Yerevan

Since 2010, PINK Armenia, together with other activists and partners, organises RainbowFlash to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. The idea of flashmob is to release rainbow-coloured balloons as a show of determination for a peaceful fight against homophobia and transphobia. Activists are invited to participate, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

This year the flashmob took place on 17 May 2013, 6pm, in Yerevan's Tumanyan park where small group of activists released the rainbow balloons. The event was not publicised in advance and took a form of a proper flashmob, also considering last year events when Diversity march was attacked by neo-nazi style thugs.

Pictures below via PINK Armenia Google+ page.

Epress.am reported on Rainbow flashmob too (with more pictures).

Part II: LGBT activists under attack in Tbilisi: Georgian police and politicians

“Police did a good job”, says Minister of Justice. The reality is they failed to protect the rights of citizens and gave in to the priest lead mob. According to the Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili, the police failed to take “proper measures” to secure holding of a rally by gay rights activists.

“Considering the sheer number of counter demonstrators, their violent actions and the risk to human safety, Transparency International Georgia considers the police's strategy as wholly inadequate.”

A group of six civil society and watchdog organisation said in a joint statement that "the police failed to take measures to prevent violence, that erupted after thousands of Orthodox activists thwarted gay rights rally in downtown Tbilisi, and accused law enforcement officer of being reluctant to secure holding of rally against homophobia."

It says that the police lacked coordination and their actions to protect anti-homophobia rally from attacks of counter demonstrators were often meager.
“Impression was that the Interior Ministry was more focused on safe evacuation of [anti-homophobia rally] participants from the scene, instead of protecting the rally itself. The police did not show enough efforts to provide security of the participants in the process of the rally,” the statement reads.
“Attitude of police towards participants of rally against homophobia and transphobia was especially alarming. Observers confirm that in conversations between each other policemen were referring to the participants of the rally cynically and derogatively and to some extent were sympathizing with counter demonstrators. Such stance was also felt in their actions,” the statement says. 

Earlier, Georgia PM was highly praised (including on this blog) for standing up for the rights of all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation. But head of parliamentary majority (PM’s coalition) was quick to put blame on LGBT activists and their “donors” and effectively sided with the mob: “Earlier today on Rustavi 2 the Leader of Parliamentary Majority, Davit Saganelidze, stated that Identoba and their donors are responsible for the violent developments that erupted today at the the International Day Against Homophobia: "they, who arranged this provocation, who were sitting in the buses calmly and are responsible for what happened".

Here is a video of the mob attack towards bus escorting LGBT activists. Video shows clearly of what was happening towards those who “were sitting in the buses calmly”. Disgusting, nauseous display of hatred in the heart of Tbilisi. Approved by some politicians, as above.
 

Good to see at least some police did their job. Here is a video form inside the yellow bus.
 

Georgia’s serving president Saakashvili condemned acts of anti-gay violence in Tbilisi. And now this issue turned into a matter of political battles between Saakashvili and Ivanishvili camps, blaming each other for “provocations” and violence that happened.

"This is a shameful and alarming day for the whole of Georgia and Georgian society. Violent offenders who attacked and severely beaten people planning to express their protests against violence are enemies of Georgia's freedom and statehood. They are offenders and must be punished," National Security Council Secretary Giga Bokeria said on 17 May. "The key problem is the climate in the country.” He then continued that some of the participants in counter-demonstration and their leaders were the ones who were "detained previously for violence but released later from prisons as political prisoners".

PM Ivanishvili said that those who committed violence will be held responsible. Until I see this happens, including priests who were leading the attacks, I will not believe his words on equality and rights of citizens.

PM Bidzina Ivanishvili has condemned violence, that erupted after anti-gay protesters, led by Orthodox clergy, thwarted a rally against homophobia in downtown Tbilisi, and vowed that perpetrators “will be dealt with according to the law”. PM Ivanishvili’s English-language written statement reads: “The right to gather peacefully and to freely express one's opinion is fundamental to our democracy. Every Georgian citizen benefits fully and equally from this right. Acts of violence, discrimination and restriction of the rights of others will not be tolerated, and any perpetrators of such acts will be dealt with according to the law.”

Part I: Victory for homophobes. Defeat for Georgia

Part III: Criminal church: Georgian Orthodox Church incited and led anti-gay attacks in Tbilisi

Part IV: the aftermath of church-led homophobic attacks in Georgia. PM Ivanishvili delivers groundbreaking Independence Day speech

Part I: Victory for homophobes. Defeat for Georgia

The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, marked annually on 17 May, turned into a “National Day FOR Homophobia” in Georgia capital Tbilisi.

Local LGBT rights group planned a silent 30 mins flashmob, in order to draw attention to discrimination and other problems faced by LGBT people in Georgia. Yet, despite promises on PM level to protect the rights and freedoms of citizens, they got attacked by homophobic thugs led by Georgian Orthodox church priests (!). By thousands (as per some estimates, up to 20K) of them. And this day will be remembered more as the day when hate occupied Tbilisi, and medieval instincts and rituals rather than rule of law prevailed.

*picture by © Onnik Krikorian 2013

And this happened in a country that is considered a ‘champion of democracy’ in the region, being ahead of neighbouring Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia on effectively all indicators. Under the facade of "democracy" - we witnessed Middle Ages in Georgia.

*screenshot - via PublicPost

According to the Ministry of Health, 28 people were injured as a result of violence. “Healthcare Minister, Davit Sergeenko, said that 14 of them, including one journalist, were hospitalized. Injuries are not life-threatening, he said.”

Reflecting the events, Making Connection blog writes: “We Are All Georgian LGBT Rights Activists”.

This, a day after ILGA-Europe published its 2013 Rainbow Europe package reviewing the situation of LGBTI people in Europe, giving Georgia the highest grade among the three South Caucasus countries.
And this, a day after the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, where Finland's entrant Krista Siegfrids sang "Marry Me" and kissed one of her female back-up singers "to make a statement about the lack of legal recognition of same-sex marriages in Finland." (As far as I know, the song contest was broadcast in Georgia.) [...]
Incidentally, tomorrow is also the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in which Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia will be competing. How great would it be if Georgia's entrants, following in the footsteps of Finland's entrant, ended their performance with a "same-sex kiss" or at least made some comment condemning the acts of the violent anti-gay rights protestors today? 

Yes, 17th May 2013 was a victory for homophobes. But it was ultimately the day of defeat for Georgia.

Part II: LGBT activists under attack in Tbilisi: Georgian police and politicians

Part III: Criminal church: Georgian Orthodox Church incited and led anti-gay attacks in Tbilisi

Part IV: the aftermath of church-led homophobic attacks in Georgia. PM Ivanishvili delivers groundbreaking Independence Day speech

Armenia - at the bottom of Europe re human rights protection of its LGBT citizens

Ahead of the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), leading European gay rights group ILGA-Europe launched its Rainbow Europe package reviewing the human rights situation and assessing what life is like for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people in Europe in 2013.

According to the Rainbow map and accompanied score sheet, countries have been assigned scores based on the level of legal human rights protection for LGBT people.

The Rainbow Map covers the legal and policy situation with regards to 6 thematic categories (Equality and non-discrimination; Family; Bias motivated speech / violence; Legal gender recognition; Freedom of assembly, association, and expression; and Asylum). The main rule is that sexual orientation and gender identity (or equivalent) need to be clearly referred to in the respective law or policy; or that lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people are treated equally in law or by the state. For the purposes of this map, a law or policy is taken to exist once it is adopted by the respective parliament. 

Published also a comprehensive qualitative annual review report containing separate chapters on each country that gives more detailed background about the situation.

Only 3 countries among 49 European countries have a one-digit score: Russia (the lowest 49th place with 7%), Armenia (48th place with 8%) and Azerbaijan (47th place with 8%). 

Shameful.

And with such credentials, Armenia assumed today chairmanship of the Council of Europe for six months.

[below is Armenia Score Sheet in English and Armenian]

Respects: Georgia PM Ivanishvili publicly supports rights of LGBT citizens ahead of IDAHO rally in Tbilisi

Georgia PM Bidzina Ivanishvili is the first and so far the only (effectively) head of state in the South Caucasus who publicly voiced his support for equal rights of all citizens regardless of sexual orientation.

Says Georgia PM Bidzina Ivanishvili, commenting on upcoming rally in downtown Tbilisi by gay rights activists to mark the International Day Against Homophobia on 17th May: “I have said for multiple times previously that sexual minorities are the same citizens as we are… The society will gradually get used to it. I know there is part of the society which fails to accept it. There are law enforcement agencies in our state and we will do everything in order to protect rights of any minority group and that will be the case in this situation too.”

Pretty groundbreaking statement in a region where homophobia is widespread. In a region where officials, e.g. in Armenia, publicly and without consequences support and justify anti-gay attacks.

My respects to PM Ivanishvili. As a friend of mine commented on Facebook: “So while they're passing anti gay laws in Russia... Georgia's moving into the 21st century.”

Civil.ge reports that on the same day a parallel rally is also planned by anti-gay, Orthodox activists.

Asked how the authorities would act in a situation when there are threats against planned gay rights rally, Ivanishvili responded: “We will protect the rights; [planned two parallel] rallies will probably be distanced from each other; I can’t tell you specifics how it will be done, but there are police, which will stand in the middle and will not allow [anyone] to obstruct others.”  

Asked about his opinion on same-sex marriage, Ivanishvili responded that it was not an issue right now in Georgia and there was no need “to put the cart before the horse.
 


Civil.ge reminds that the first-ever march of a small group of rainbow flag-waving gay activists in Georgia, where anti-gay prejudice runs deep, was held last May. But at the time the march ended in a scuffle with an Orthodox group, which blocked activists' way not allowing them to continue procession. [picture above from 2012 IDAHO in Tbilisi - by InterPressNews, via Civil.ge]

In solidarity with LGBT activists in Tbilisi, Georgia

Identoba, LGBT rights organisation in Georgia, is planning to organise a peaceful action on 17th May – International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).

IDAHO has a specific local importance for Georgia. In 2012, Tbilisi IDAHO march was attacked by religious fundamentalists. Several activists were verbally and physically assaulted. The government didn't launched an investigation.

In order to draw attention to the problems faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Georgia, LGBT activists, Identoba and other human rights defenders are planning a 30 minute silent flashmob. The flashmob will start on 13.00 in front of the former parliament building in Tbilisi. All participants will be asked to wear a t-shirt with one of the colours of the rainbow. The participants will be holding posters deploying the discrimination experiences by LGBT individuals in the country.  More details about the campaign on: http://identoba.com/idaho

Norwegian Helsinki Committee calls Armenia authorities to adopt anti-discrimination legislation and tackle hate crime

Read also: DIY watershed: one year on since gay friendly bar firebombed in Armenia capital Yerevan

*via the Norwegian Helsinki Committee

One year after the bombing of the DIY pub and violent counter demonstrators attacked a Diversity March in Yerevan, Armenia still suffers from widespread intolerance and discrimination of minorities. The legislation does not include hate crime with intent towards gender and sexual minorities, and the government fails to protect the rights of these citizens. Media is more often used as a tool to build up under prejudice and intolerance, and homophobic statements are frequently used by stakeholders to gain popularity.

- The Norwegian Helsinki Committee is concerned with the development in Armenia, and supports local civil society activists in their struggle for tolerance and respect of all groups in the country, says Secretary General of the NHC Bjørn Engesland.

Women, LGBT-persons, ethnic and religious minorities are under increased pressure in the homogenic society. Any alternative behaviour is subject to public scrutiny from the neighbours to the authorities and might be seen as a threat to the national ideal of a masculine head of the family, ready to defend his motherland from the many enemies around.

Several state officials were justifying the hateful crime after the bombing of the DIY pub, including the spokesperson of the ruling Republican Party. Later the same month, a discreet march devoted to the UN World Day of Cultural Diversity was attacked by a large group of violent thugs, supported even by priests in their traditional black cloaks. The thugs were additionally provoked by the way the event was portrayed in the media as a gay parade. The police were initially protecting the participants of the march, but later advised the attackers of where they had taken refuge. [...]

The Norwegian Helsinki Committee joins the local activists in the aim to remove homophobia and intolerance in Armenia, and urge the Armenian authorities to

- Include civil society activists in the process to develop effective anti-discrimination legislation that also addresses intent and hate-crimes against all minority groups;

- Widely discourage homophobic and intolerant statements by public figures and derogatory terminology in the media;

- Prosecute offenders of hate crime and protect representatives of minority groups and their defenders. 

On 14-15 May, international experts and stakeholders will gather in Oslo for a two-day conference on right-wing extremism and hate crime directed towards minorities in Europe and beyond. The conference is arranged by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the NHC urge everybody who have an interest in the theme to watch the conference live via web here or get updates from the conference on Twitter using the hashtag #REHC2013

#nohate Roundtable discussion on hate culture in Armenia 1 year on following DIY firebombing

Read also: DIY watershed: one year on since gay friendly bar firebombed in Armenia capital Yerevan

*source: PINK Armenia

Exactly one year ago, on May 8th, 2012, three young men bombed DIY pub in Yerevan, which was

followed by scores of state officials justifying the hateful crime. In connection with this, on May 8, 2013 at 12:00 pm, Ani Plaza Hotel hosted “Hate Culture in Armenia: One Year Later”, a round-table discussion organized by concerned citizens with the support of Human Rights House – Yerevan.

The discussion began with activist Lala Aslikyan presenting a chronology of events that took place before and after the bombing. “DIY pub opened its doors in April of 2011 and was subject to frequent threats and attacks by groups of young fascists just a few months after its opening. Attackers would constantly destroy property, break bottles and glass, and spit on the premises,” said Lala. “At 5:00am on May 8th, 2012 five young men bombed the pub. A few days later, extremists graffitied the walls of the pub with images and symbols of fascism. Although the suspects were arrested, one suspect was bailed out shortly after and police released the other after he promised not to leave the country.”

Lusine Ghazaryan presented the legal process of the case, emphasizing that what happened was a hate crime because the act was aimed at destroying not only property, but to intimidate and threaten the owner of the pub as well as the safety of her supporters. “The criminals were charged under Article 185 of the criminal code, which does not include hate crimes,” said Lusine. Adding that this case might have great strategic importance, as it can bring significant positive changes in the law to include intent.

Mamikon Hovsepyan of PINK Armenia spoke about institutionalized homophobia and how every time there are elections, political parties draw attention to LGBT people and use homophobia as a means to gather an electorate since a majority of the population is homophobic. “They target specific people and last year after the parliamentary elections the target was Tsomak”, said Mamikon.

Human rights defender Arthur Sakunts noted, “the structure of the government is monopolized, which creates fertile ground for the emergence of different forms of discrimination to which religious organizations, LGBT individuals, women, ethnic minorities, foreign citizens and anyone else who is somehow different from the ruling majority are subject to. The solution to this problem is Article 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia which states that Armenia is a sovereign, democratic, social state governed by the rule of law”.

Round-table participant Yura Manvelyan, editor of Epress.am said, “The mass media has created an image of the enemy: Turks, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, and feminist activists. The journalist is the only connection between the editor and the microphone. Therefore, the journalist has control of how they want to create the story and twist it around. Usually journalists perpetuate hate culture through their own stereotypes and prejudices.”

DIY watershed: one year on since gay friendly bar firebombed in Armenia capital Yerevan

One year on... since neo-nazi thugs attacked gay friendly bar DIY in downtown Yerevan. Below are my reflections of what has happened since the event that should have sent shockwaves... Yet let’s see what has since changed.

DIY, the bar: no longer exists. While there are still gay friendly places in Yerevan, no longer there is a place (venue) that I can call *home*. Instead, a disgusting “Patriot Pub” full of ultra-nationalist hateful sh*t opened next door. Everything that DIY stood against.

The firebombers: still at large. The investigation took a year (!) to complete, and now the case is in the court. I wonder what exactly they were ‘investigating’, while everything was recorded and at least direct perpetrators are known and bailed out. The date of hearings is expected to be announced.

LGBT people in Armenia: they became less visible, less vocal. Do not expect any public actions in near future, not even to express protest by marking the anniversary of DIY firebombing. [There was a roundtable discussion on 8 May in Yerevan about culture of violence re DIY, I will post more about it separately, but this is not what I am referring to.] More people, including some prominent LGBT Armenians, left the country.

Diaspora: only very few individuals and groups (such as AGLA NY, GALAS, petition) publicly and unequivocally condemned the attack and government’s and legal system’s inaction to protect rights of its LGBT citizens and held those responsible for the hate crime.

International community: Despite some strong wording condemning the attack and condemning the endorsement of anti-gay attacks by some officials (US, UN, Council of Europe, EU), no REAL actions taken to ensure that respect for human rights, including LGBT rights, is an essential obligation reinforced by Armenia’s international partners before country's authorities and ruling regime. EU wasn’t even able to stage the gay themed Parada film screening despite previously widely advertised.

MPs, politicians of ruling Republican party and ARF Dashnaktsutyun party who endorsed the attack: spokesman for the ruling Republican party, deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament Eduard Sharmazanov [ԷՇ = Էդուարդ Շարմազանով] (example: Terrorists as ‘national heroes’? Armenia ruling Republican party spokesman and MP explicitly support firebombers of DIY bar in capital Yerevan and encourage anti-gay attacks), MP from the ARF Dashnaktsutyun party Artsvik Minasyan (example: MPs of ARF Dashnaktsutyun party bail out neo-nazi attacker of DIY bar. Dashnak MP Artsvik Minasyan supports arson attack, effectively encouraging terrorism in Armenia) + many more. Not only they didn’t get fired or demoted from their political or party positions, but continue with active public engagements and high profile within their respective parties.

Pretty grim, eh?! I am sorry that I can’t write more positive stuff and share with you stories of progress in Armenia. I can’t write how this case was a wake up call for Armenians. How this case shocked the society. How Armenian government and parliament adopted comprehensive anti-discriminatory legislation, and how hate crime definition was introduced into the criminal code to refer to crimes based on sexual orientation too. I am really sorry, I can’t share with you any of these stories. Because they never happened. Reality sucks big time pretty much in all spheres of life in Armenia.

But I want to end with a positive note, nevertheless.

Positive note: DIY case helped me to discover so many awesome people whose existence I would never be aware of otherwise. People, regardless of their sexual orientation, political affiliations who stood up for their LGBT friends, fellow citizens. People who detest and ready to fight the culture of violence and for human rights in Armenia. This was a watershed moment for me.

[For more background and posts on DIY, check DIY label on this blog]

"Speak up!": PINK Armenia’s anti-bullying message to mark Day of Silence

On the occasion of Day of Silence, PINK Armenia hold a press conference where they outlined the problem of bullying in Armenia’s educational institutions in particular, starting with anti-LGBT bullying and with other instances of bullying too.

Says Nvard Margaryan of PINK Armenia: “In various countries of the world, starting from 1996, the third Friday of April is celebrated as The Day of Silence. The main purpose of The Day of Silence is to focus public attention on discrimination and degrading treatment against LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people and other social groups throughout educational institutions. Moreover, this day is meant to eliminate and prevent such phenomena in an effort to establish safer educational institutions for everyone, regardless of students’ sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic origins, religion, appearance, social and other personal characteristics”.
Then she presented cases and personal stories, which were collected by PINK's staff members.

Here is a fragment of the press conference (AM) detailing cases of anti-LGBT and other bullying in Armenia.



And below is a video “Speak up” (AM with English subtitles), released by PINK Armenia, with real life stories and an important message to convey.