Armenia Eurovision national jury’s Arshakyan sisters re Conchita and LGBT: ‘Mental health patients are repulsive’

UPDATE 16 May 2014: Armenia Eurovision national jury Arshakyan sisters profoundly apologised for homophobic and other pretty shameful statements. They said they have no negative attitude towards gays, transvestites, mental health patients… [For details and video link - see comments section]
***
Says Armenia’s Eurovision national jury member Anush Arshakyan: “I put Conchita towards the bottom of the ranking due to my internal repulsion [towards Conchita]”.

In an interview with Aravot daily, Anush said she was shocked that by sms votes, Conchita was No. 2 in Armenia. [Read: Conchita crowned Queen of Eurovision: “We are unity and we are unstoppable” amid outrage at national jury vote in South Caucasus]

She then continued: “I find this phenomenon repulsive, the same way I find mental health patients repulsive”.

Her sister, another jury member Inga Arshakyan was next to her during the interview and we may safely assume she shares Anush’s views. [To remind, this year’s national jury members Inga and Anush Arshakyan represented Armenia in Eurovision 2009 finishing 10th.]

«Ես վերջին տեղը տվել եմ ադրբեջանցիներին եւ նախավերջինը՝ Կոնչիտային: Նրան վերջին տեղերում էի դրել՝ ներքին հակակրանքից դրդված: Նա միայն հակակրանք էր առաջացնում: Եվ ես ապշած եմ, որ sms քվեարկությամբ 2-րդ տեղ են տվել Կոնչիտային: Ես չգիտեմ, թե ովքեր են քվեարկողները եղել, բայց ես չեմ կարծում, որ մեր ամբողջ ժողովուրդը լավ վերաբերմունք ունի այդ անձի հանդեպ»,- Aravot.am-ի հետ զրույցում մեր հարցին, թե ինչու էին «Եվրատեսիլի» տրանսվեստիտ մասնակից Կոնչիտային Հայաստանում ցածր միավորներ տվել՝ այսպես պատասխանեց Արշակյան քույրերից մեկը՝ Անուշ Արշակյանը: Ինգան եւ Անուշը միանգամից դեմքի արտահայտությունը փոխեցին եւ զզվանքով ձեռքերով խաչ արեցին, երբ Կոնչիտայի անունը տվեցինք: […] 

Մեր դիտարկմանը, որ ասում են՝ պետք է հարգել փոքրամասնությանը՝ Անուշ Արշակյանը պատասխանեց. «Հարգանքի աստիճաններ կան: Եթե խոսենք տոլեռանդության մասին, ամենատարածված բանն է Եվրոպայում, ապա ես երեւի թե դեմ եմ ցանկացած ձեւի ագրեսիային եւ ցանկացած տեսակի մարդկային բնաջնջմանը դեմ եմ: Եթե համարենք, որ այդ մարդիկ հիվանդ են, նրանց կարելի է բուժել եւ այդ առումով իմ հակակրանքը հասկանալի է: Ինչպես հոգեկան հիվանդն է հակակրանք առաջացնում, այնպես էլ նման երեւույթները: Իմ հակակրանքը ճիշտ այդպիսին է: Ես ոչ թե ագրեսիվ եմ, այլ՝ մերժողական այդպիսի դրսեւորումների հանդեպ»:  

And this is what supposed to be a “professional jury” ??? Armenia’s national jury should be disqualified, and its members should not be allowed to serve in any jury contest, or any event.

They are shame not only for Armenia, but for Eurovision in general.

Not only they are homophobic, not only they accepted that they voted based on anything but professional assessments, but they offend patients with mental health problems too. This is beyond words shocking and disgusting. And to think that there was time I quite liked the sisters…

Thank you, Conchita. Your win was like a litmus test.

Conchita crowned Queen of Eurovision: “We are unity and we are unstoppable” amid outrage at national jury vote in South Caucasus

Big congrats, Conchita !! Stunning performance. Epic win for the Queen of Eurovision.

Says Conchita: "This night is dedicated to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom. You know who you are - we are unity and we are unstoppable."

As Eurovision blogger @dreurovision tweeted: “Austrian victory in #Eurovision is a slap in the face for homophobia across Europe!”

*picture by Thomas Hanses (EBU), via eurovision.tv

Despite what official voting results (combined 50% national jury and 50% televote) may suggest, Conchita touched the hearts all over bigger Europe, including the South Caucasus countries Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.

If we only count televotes (i.e. people’s vote via calls or sms), Austria’s Conchita ranks 2nd and gets 10 points from both Armenia and Georgia, and ranks 3rd getting 8 points from Azerbaijan. However, combined with jury votes, Austria received 0 (zero !!) point from Armenia (No. 24, above only Azerbaijan) and 1 point from Azerbaijan.

According to Eurovision statement, Georgia’s national jury results for final were declared invalid. Therefore, the televoting results applied. It’s not clear yet the exact reason but I wish Armenia’s national jury was disqualified too. Plus, juries from some other countries.

This effectively means that adding so called “professional juries” votes fuc*ed up the ranking, and national juries (in this case) in the South Caucasus countries simply suck. Big time.

In fact, the highest difference between jury and televote ranking re Conchita was in Armenia (22 points difference), followed by Azerbaijan (21) and Belarus (19). Even in Russia difference was not as prominent (8), and in Russia Conchita was No.3 (8 points) by televote & only adding jury voting put her No.6 (5 points).

I’d say shame on you, Armenia’s national jury. Your voting was a disgrace.

And I’d say well done people in the South Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan) who proved to be more open minded than what regimes and certain ‘elites’ want us to believe.

In general, looking at pattern of people’s and national juries voting indicates that the jury voting is more political and ‘calculating’ than people’s voting. Ironically, the very reason why juries were introduced in the first place. Here are just few observations re Armenia’s national jury voting:

1. Political: Placing Ukraine towards bottom of their rankings so that there is no chance for Armenia to give any points to Ukraine, to avoid upsetting Russia.

2. Calculating (so called ‘strategic voting’): Placing Sweden towards the bottom of their ranking, because they knew Sweden is one of top favourites to win, so that to avoid votes to Sweden from Armenia. And giving the highest points to clear non favourites to win, like Montenegro (No. 2 in jury ranking) or Malta (No. 1 in jury ranking).

3. Homophobic/transphobic: Placing Conchita towards the bottom of their ranking (above Azerbaijan) because they are homophobic/transphobic and/or sh*t scared of being later ‘accused’ as supporting LGBT representative + like in case of Sweden, to ‘neutralise’ votes from Armenia to top favourite Austria.

All this clearly shows that jury’s voting had nothing to do with judging performance. It’s pretty much a manipulation to neutralise people’s votes. A kind of legitimate voting fraud, because formally they did not break any rules.

And finally. Austria giving 12 points to Armenia regardless of all what happened in the run up to the contest, with very close high televote and jury votes. Learn the lesson, Armenia. Love conquers hate.

Rainbow Eurovision: Armenia’s Aram MP3, Austria’s Conchita, Iceland’s Pollapönk and lesson of diversity

I really want to believe that Eurovision experience is becoming a liberating eye opener for Armenia representative Aram MP3.

I do hope he learned (or learning) the lesson of diversity, and I am glad to see that after publicly reconciling with Conchita, issuing “I reject homophobia” statement [for background story:1, 2, 3], we get more pictures of Aram MP3 reflecting and communicating message of diversity and no prejudice.

*Aram MP3 with Iceland representative Pollapönk. [via Z&A Stores, Armenia FB page]

Pollapönk (see picture above with Aram MP3) will represent Iceland at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen, Denmark, performing “No Prejudice".

Armenia Eurovision representative Aram MP3: “I reject homophobia”

Finally, a statement from Armenia Eurovision representative Aram MP3 that his fans and friends were expecting. [for background story: 1, 2, 3]

He made this statement in an interview with Eurovision portal esctoday.com on his birthday and hours before performing in Amsterdam’s Eurovision party tonight:

"Music and humor are inseparable parts of my life; I made some remarks recently in a humorous manner, which instead may have hurt the dear friends and fans. I really regret this and want to state clearly that I reject homophobia.”

Interestingly enough, on a second look and after his statement, his song could be taken as a message of all inclusive love ;))

Happy bday, Aram !!

***
Below is an extract from Aram MP3 interview with esctoday:

Your song gives the clear message that nobody should feel alone. Do you think that sexual orientation or different skin color should be a reason for people to be or feel alone?

Even though people are used to my jokes regarding everything that surrounds me, my Eurovision song opens the other side of Aram Mp3 which is not very humoristic but rather emotional and sincere. This song expresses my feelings and thoughts. I really do think that one of the most wonderful things that can happen to humans is love. Love definitely doesn’t recognize religion, country, age or sex.

Due to an alleged joke you made regarding the Austrian Eurovision representative Conchita Wurst, which was reported in the European press, has stirred a mediatic storm across the continent. Could you please clarify this issue and share with us your views and opinion regarding this matter.

My song reminds everyone that they’re not alone. That’s my main message; I want everyone to know they’re not alone in the world, regardless of what country they come from, their religion or who they love. That is the most important idea I want to deliver to my audience. In my personal life and in my work, the respect for others is my guiding principle. Apart from being a musician, I’m also a comedian. Music and humor are inseparable parts of my life; I made some remarks recently in a humorous manner, which instead may have hurt the dear friends and fans. I really regret this and want to state clearly that I reject homophobia.

*esctoday.com

From homophobia to posting ‘Hitler’ picture: Armenia Eurovision representative Aram MP3 fails the ‘funny’ test

UPDATE 5 April 2014: Armenia Eurovision representative Aram MP3: “I reject homophobia”
***
As of now, he didn’t have guts or perhaps didn’t feel like saying “sorry” for his homophobic and transphobic remarks, and for his disrespect towards fellow Eurovision contestant.

[read: Fail: Armenia representative in Eurovision Aram MP3 makes homophobic and transphobic remarks
Conchita Wurst responds to Armenia’s Eurovision representative Aram MP3 homophobic and transphobic remarks]

Some of his fans tried justifying his behaviour by "freedom of speech" and him being a comedian, as if being a comedian somehow justifies bigotry.

Yesterday Aram MP3 put his ‘funny’ side to yet another test and failed it spectacularly.

Aram wrote on his Facebook page that he would have preferred playing “a negative role” if offered to star in a film. And he posted a picture of himself posing as Hitler. Perhaps, he thought that his fans would be amused and entertained by such picture. However, he quickly deleted the picture, following storm of criticism from Facebook users who ‘liked’ his FB page.

*screenshot of Aram MP3 (now deleted) Facebook post

Many expressed their outrage and shock that after scandal over his homophobic, transphobic remarks, Aram would resort to such bad taste amateur behaviour, further antagonising a proportion of his fans.

As one FB user commented under this picture: how would Aram MP3 feel if another Eurovision contestant posted a ‘funny’ picture of his/her-self posing as Talaat pasha, one of the main perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide?

Yes, Aram MP3 quickly deleted this picture. But it left a sense of unease even among his loyal fans.

Seriously, Aram, after being exposed for making homophobic and transphobic remarks, this is all you came up with?

This was a classic face-palm moment when words fail to express how stupid that was.

Conchita Wurst responds to Armenia’s Eurovision representative Aram MP3 homophobic and transphobic remarks

UPDATE 5 April 2014: Armenia Eurovision representative Aram MP3: “I reject homophobia”
***
Austria’s Conchita Wurst responded to Armenia’s Eurovision representative Aram MP3 homophobic and transphobic remarks. [see Fail: Armenia representative in Eurovision Aram MP3 makes homophobic and transphobic remarks]

Says Conchita (Heute): “Oh, that means he won't marry me? To be honest, I did not take seriously what he said about me. One thing is clear, Aram thinks that I apparently want to be a woman… Aram, sweetheart, I'm a working lady, and a lazy young man in my free time and it can't be the other way. If you have problems with understanding that, I'll gladly sit and explain it to you. Oh, and concerning your homophobic remarks… seriously, ON THAT we're actually going to have a talk!” 

Awesome response.

Meanwhile, silence so far from Aram MP3. No “sorry for unintended offence caused” or “misunderstanding” statements.

Fail: Armenia representative in Eurovision Aram MP3 makes homophobic and transphobic remarks

UPDATE 5 April 2014: Armenia Eurovision representative Aram MP3: “I reject homophobia”
***
I am pretty disappointed that from the very first day when Public TV announced Aram MP3 as Armenia representative in Eurovision, he started making homophobic and transphobic remarks, especially in relation to Austrian representative in Eurovision. I am sure Eurovision fans in Europe, including many LGBT people, won’t be impressed to learn about Aram MP3 statements so far.

In his first Public TV appearance following the nomination, answering pretty ridiculous question by Armenia Eurovision delegation head: [what is your opinion about Austria’s “the bearded woman” Conchita’s “orientation”?], Aram MP3 replied that for him it’s “not normal”, “not adequate” and as if jokingly continued: ‘hopefully, we will help her to eventually decide whether she is a woman or man’. [see video (in Armenian) from 30:43 minutes]

A note for Armenian media and for Aram MP3 re drag artist Conchita Wurst [Conchita is not perceived as drag act but rather trans, gay by many in Armenia]:   

Because of the discrimination against Tom in his teenage years, he created Conchita. The Bearded Lady, as a statement. A statement for tolerance and acceptance- as it's not about appearances; it's about the human being.

*eurovision.tv

On 20th March, during press conference with local reporters, similar remarks repeated again.

Reporters also asked about his opinion of Austrian representative Conchita Wurst. Aram MP3 confessed smiling: ‘it will be difficult’. 

“I just realised that, after all, we will be on the same stage, because as part of the Eurovision all participants perform one song together. If you want to know my position, when I pass next to Kom aygi [Unzipped: cruising park in downtown Yerevan frequented by gay men and particularly trans sex workers], I speed up my car. In this case [re Conchita], I will try to somehow put up with.”

Լրագրողները նաև հետաքրքրվեցին, թե ինչպիսին է նրա մոտեցումը Ավստրիայի ներկայացուցիչ Կոնչիտա Վուրստի նկատմամբ: Արամը ժպիտով խոստովանեց, որ դժվար է լինելու: «Նոր հասկացա, որ այդուհանդերձ նրա հետ նույն բեմում ենք գտնվելու, քանի որ «Եվրատեսիլի» շրջանակներում բոլոր մասնակիցներով պետք է համատեղ մեկ երգ կատարենք: Իսկ ընդհանրապես, եթե ուզում եք իմանալ իմ մոտեցումը, ապա «կոմայգու» մոտով անցնելիս ես արագացնում եմ իմ մեքենայի ընթացքը. այս դեպքում պետք է մի կերպ համակերպվել»,- ասաց Արամը:

Such references to Kom aygi are being routinely used in Armenia by media and individuals to stir-up or gave in to homophobic and transphobic sentiments among mainstream public. Participation of Austria's Conchita led to calls to boycott Eurovision by homophobic circles claiming it would be ‘dishonour’ for Armenia participant to be on the same stage with Austrian representative.

The following day, during his RFE/RL Facebook ‘press conference’ (event's page), many Armenian FB users expressed their dismay about his remarks from above meeting with journalists.

In reply to criticism, Aram MP3 said he only “jokingly" noted that it would be difficult for him, ‘to make journalists laugh’, but he was “honest”: “I do not live such life, and regardless how the world progressed or regressed, this is an unacceptable subject matter for me.” After journalist’s insistence, he stated he did not mean to offend Conchita. [see video (in Armenian) from 7:39 minutes]

I dare Aram MP3 to repeat such “jokes" and views to European journalists covering Eurovision. 

I am not a big fan of his song, but good for Aram that it quickly became top viewed among Eurovision entrants on YouTube and bookmakers’ favourite. Shame for Aram’s amateurish attitude towards his colleagues and for his repeated homophobic and transphobic remarks.

I hope and wish that mixing with the Eurovision crowd will open up his eyes to diversity of people, and to the importance to respect and value such diversity.

I will not be voting for Aram MP3, because I simply cannot vote for someone with such views. You decide yourself. But if he wins, I will be only happy to see "gay parade" Eurovision coming to Armenia, although it would be ironic that a person with such questionable views would make this happened.

Host of Armenian Public TV “2 Stars” music show Felix Khachatryan makes homophobic remarks

Apparently, there were some 'blue-coloured' references made by Felix Khachatryan, host of “2 Stars” (“2 Astgh” – “Stars on the Stage”) music show on Armenian Public TV. (“blue” is a mainly derogatory reference to gays in ex-Soviet countries).

The participating couples consist of one famous singer and another famous person, belonging to a different sphere (sport, politics, theatre, etc.). The judge and the TV-viewers during each live program assess the couples’ singing and artistic skills.

I do not watch that show, therefore asked around to confirm whether these incidents happened. Sadly, I got confirmations. Kind of routine homophobia, derogatory references and use of language by host Felix. Particularly, these remarks were made in reference to a duet performing I Will Survive (Anna Khachatryan & Mkhitar Avetisyan). I’ve heard also about one instance of offensive reference re “maleness” by singer-judge Shushan Petrosyan in reference to a male duo Aram MP3 & Garik Papoyan.

This is one of the rare but welcome occasions that I have to praise Aravot daily’s gay related publication denouncing music show host Felix’s use of homophobic references on Public TV. The author G. Hovsepyan makes some valid points implying that normally people who are insecure in their sexuality, or in closet, try to show off by using routine homophobia, listing similar other examples too. The author states that just because one defends human rights of blacks, women or “blues” does not mean that s/he is black, woman or “blue”, reminding that Public TV of Armenia is for “blues” too.

See, it’s this kind of Aravot I’d like to read more if not always. Aravot which exposes hypocrisy and fights prejudices, not the one which multiplies them.

«ԵՐԿՈՒ ԱՍՏՂ»-Ի ԿԱԶՄԱԿԵՐՊԻՉՆԵՐԻՆ ԵՎ ՀԱՂՈՐԴԱՎԱՐ ՖԵԼԻՔՍԻՆ

[...] Լավ, կարճ կապեմ, վերջում ուզում եմ ուղղակի դիմել «տաղանդավոր» հաղորդավար Ֆելիքսին. Ֆելիքս ջան, ո՞ր «կապույտ»-ից ես այդքան վառված, որ Հանրային եւ ոչ հատվածային հեռուստաալիքով ոչ մի առիթ բաց չես թողնում նրանց փնովելու: Լսե՞լ ես, որ ասում են. ինչքան շատ ես խոսում անկեղծությունից, այնքան կեղծ ես, ինչքան շատ ես խոսում քո երջանկությունից, այնքան դժբախտ ես, ինչքան ասում ես «սիրում եմ», այնքան քիչ ես սիրում եւ այլն...

Վերջում մեկ անգամ եւս ուզում եմ հիշեցնել, որ «Հ1»-ը հանրային հեռուստաալիք է, ուստի ոչ ոք իրավունք չունի ասելու՝ «չես հավանում՝ ալիքը փոխի»: Երկու դիտողություն եւս՝ սեւամորթների, կանանց, «կապույտների» իրավունքների մասին արտահայտվողը պարտադիր չէ, որ լինի սեւամորթ, կին, կամ «կապույտ»: Երկրորդ՝ Հայաստանի հանրային հեռուստատեսությունը դիտում են նաեւ «կապույտները»:
Գ. ՀՈՎՍԵՓՅԱՆ

Aram MP3 & Garik Papoyan


Anna Khachatryan & Mkhitar Avetisyan - I Will Survive


Lilit Hovhannisyan & Vahram Petrosyan - Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word