Meanwhile in Yerevan…

Rainbow Pace flag (Italian for peace) in Yerevan. So casual. So epic considering the circumstances.

Pace da tutti i balconi ("peace from every balcony”) Armenian way.

… vs. all the hysteria on Armenian social media surrounding the sight of rainbow flag at the British embassy.

And the saddest protest action I ever witnessed in Armenia (see the priceless picture below, via 168.am/Photolure).

*in front of the British embassy in Yerevan: "stop gay propaganda, we are tired of it" with 3 exclamation marks - you can't make this stuff up. It’s Armenia, baby, the land of gay propaganda, apparently, so very tiring to resist, I feel for you, guys *3 exclamation marks*

British embassy in Yerevan raised rainbow flag to mark IDAHOT + more news from South Caucasus

For the first time ever, British embassy in Yerevan raised the rainbow flag to mark IDAHOT - the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

To see the rainbow flag proudly waving in the very heart of Armenia capital, even though by a foreign country, is pretty historic.

Big respects to the UK Embassy in Yerevan. It’s an important act of solidarity with local LGBT activists.

And of course, all the usual suspects on Armenian Facebook and beyond were in a state of total agony at a sight of the rainbow flag.

I hope this will become a tradition and more embassies in Armenia will follow suit.

But more significantly and importantly, I wish THE day will come when I will see the rainbow flag waving openly at local venues, institutions, groups...



Btw, British embassy in Baku has joined embassies around the world in flying the rainbow flag.

In Tbilisi, embassy posted a picture with the British ambassador holding the rainbow flag to accompany their IDAHOT message.

In other important developments from the South Caucasus, brave LGBT activists in Tbilisi managed to hold an IDAHOT rally which reportedly passed without major incidents, although not without reports of physical assault.

Great coverage by OC media here: Queer rights activists mark 17 May in Tbilisi under heavy police presence; Church takes to streets

And awesome PINK Armenia unveiled their calendar of events to mark IDAHOT.

***
In a related development, while not as radical as British, the US embassy in Yerevan changed their Facebook cover photo to the rainbow flag for the occasion (great move!), and posted a message marking IDAHOT.

British Ambassador in Armenia marks IDAHOT with local LGBT activists

British Ambassador in Armenia Judith Farnsworth tweeted:

"Great to mark #IDAHOT2016 with Armenian orgs promoting & protecting rights of #LGBT people #humanrights @FCOflagg"

*More details via British Embassy in Yerevan FB page

To mark IDAHOT2016, HM Ambassador Judith Farnworth hosted a lunch for representatives of Armenian ‪#‎LGBT‬ organisations to discuss LGBT equality and to learn about their work.

The Ambassador then gave an opening speech at a conference organised by the "New Generation" NGO to discuss legislative changes for the protection of the rights of LGBT people.

In her speech the Ambassador noted that "The UK Government is committed to non-discrimination on any grounds, including sexual orientation and gender identity. We are committed to promoting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. This isn't about special rights - it is merely about LGBT people being accorded the same dignity, respect and rights as all other citizens. Human rights are universal and should apply equally to all people.....

......The UK has one of the world's strongest legislative frameworks to prevent discrimination and we are ready to share our experience and practice with other countries preparing anti-discrimination legislation - including Armenia.

.....The strongest, safest and most prosperous societies are those in which citizens can live freely and without fear of violence or discrimination and where ALL citizens can play a full and active role in society. That is why the UK government, including my own ministry the FCO, is intent on continuing its efforts nationally and internationally to promote equality and tolerance."

* May 17 is the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia. It was established in 2004 to raise awareness of the violations of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexuals, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people and promote protection of their rights worldwide. It is now celebrated in more than 130 countries.

Այսօր Հոմոֆոբիայի ու տրանսֆոբիայի դեմ պայքարի միջազգային օրվա կապակցությամբ Ն․Գ․ դեսպան Ջուդիթ Ֆանուորթը ճաշի էր հրավիրել ԼԳԲՏ հարցերով զբաղվող հայկական կազմակերպությունների ներկայացուցիչների՝ ԼԳԲՏ անձանց հավասարության խնդիրները քննարկելու և ՀԿ-ների աշխատանքների մասին տեղեկանալու նպատակով։

Ապա դեսպանը բացման խոսքով հանդես է եկել «Նոր սերունդ» ՀԿ-ի կողմից կազմակերպված կոնֆերանսում, որի նպատակը ԼԳԲՏ անձանց իրավունքների պաշտպանությանն ուղղված օրենսդրական բարեփոխումների քննարկումն էր։

Իր խոսքում դեսպանը նշել է, որ ՄԹ կառավարությունը հանձն է առել պայքարել ցանկացած տիպի, ներառյալ՝ սեռական ուղղվածության և գենդերային ինքնության դեմ խտրականության։ «Մենք հանձն ենք առել խթանել լեսբուհի, գեյ, բիսեքսուալ և տրանսգենդեր անձանց իրավունքները։ Դրանք հատուկ իրավունքներ չեն։ Դրանք զուտ ԼԳՏԲ անձանց՝ մնացած բոլոր քաղաքացիների նման արժանապատիվ կյանքով ապրելու, հարգալից վերաբերմունքի արժանանալու և իրավունքներ ունենալու մասին է։ Մարդու իրավունքները համընդհանուր են և պետք է հավասարապես կիրառվեն բոլորի համար։

Միացյալ Թագավորության օրենսդրությունը խտրականության կանխման տեսակետից առաջիններից է աշխարհում, և մենք պատրաստ ենք մեր փորձը կիսել խտրականության դեմ օրենքներ մշակող այլ երկրների, այդ թվում՝ Հայաստանի հետ։

Ամենաուժեղը, ամենաապահովն ու ամենաբարեկեցիկն այն հասարակություններն են, որոնցում քաղաքացիները կարող են ապրել ազատ՝ առանց բռնության կամ խտրականության վախի, և որտեղ ԲՈԼՈՐ քաղաքացիները կարող են լիարժեք և ակտիվ դեր խաղալ հասարակության մեջ։ Ահա թե ինչու է ՄԹ կառավարությունը, ներառյալ Արտաքին գործերի և համագործակցության նախարարությունը, մտադիր շարունակել հավասարության և հանդուրժողականության խթանումը թե՛ ազգային և թե՛ միջազգային մակարդակներում»։

*Մայիսի 17-ը Հոմոֆոբիայի ու տրանսֆոբիայի դեմ պայքարի միջազգային օրն է։ Այն սահմանվել է 2004 թվականին՝ ամբողջ աշխարհում լեսբուհի, գեյ, բիսեքսուալ և տրանսգենդեր և ինտերսեքս (ԼԳՏԲԻ) անձանց իրավունքների խախտումների մասին իրազեկությունը բարձրացնելու և նրանց իրավունքների պաշտպանությունը խթանելու նպատակով։ Այն այժմ նշվում է աշխարհի ավելի քան 130 երկրներում։

British and Swedish ambassadors in Yerevan and Tbilisi mark IDAHOT 2015, while others kept silence

Great statement from the British Embassy in Yerevan and Ambassador Kathy Leach to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

Glad to see the UK's support, as we share common goal:

"The UK has always been next to the individuals and organizations that are under very challenging circumstances trying to promote LGBT rights locally and globally." 

"No one should face discrimination because of who they are and who they love. Our goal is a diverse, respectful and fair world."

Full statement below and on British embassy's Facebook page

In a related separate development, respects to the Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia and Armenia, Martina Quick, who stood next to LGBT activists and allies in Tbilisi today, marking IDAHOT 2015 in a small but peaceful event, under police protection.

Celebrating #IDAHO #IDAHO2015 with H.E. @martinaquick. #17MayTbilisi2015 #Tbilisi pic.twitter.com/ItJLFp5Xdw

— Eka Rostomashvili (@ERostomashvili) May 17, 2015

Good to see Swedish Ambassador @martinaquick at the morning #IDAHOT action. Alas, didn't see others... #LGBT #Tbilisi pic.twitter.com/zbOxUoO9Dm

— Onnik J. Krikorian (@onewmphoto) May 17, 2015

[For more about IDAHOT events in Tbilisi: here]

Unfortunately, at time of writing this post, there has been no statement from the US embassy in Armenia, although embassy's Twitter and FB pages shared some general LGBT related human rights messages. [UPDATE: 19 May 2015 U.S. Ambassador in Armenia marks International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia]

Pretty astonishing of all was a position of the EU delegation in Armenia. A total silence, that is, i.e. ZERO mention of IDAHOT by them. Instead, their Twitter account was busy sharing concert pictures and selfie. They did not even share the EU's statement on IDAHOT. They got my big FAIL mark.

***
#‎IDAHOT2015‬ Day Statement

May 17 is the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. This is a day marked globally to raise awareness about the discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Despite progress in some parts of the world, there is still a lot to be done both to fight against prejudice and also to ensure everyone is equally protected under the law.

The UK has always been next to the individuals and organizations that are under very challenging circumstances trying to promote LGBT rights locally and globally. Here in British Embassy Yerevan we have welcomed and supported the efforts of local LGBT activists, media and bloggers. This year an LGBT community dedicated media started to function – www.lgbtnews.am – which took the local efforts a step further.

No one should face discrimination because of who they are and who they love. Our goal is a diverse, respectful and fair world.

Kathy Leach
British Embassy Yerevan

British Council Armenia continues shameful collaboration with homophobic media

This seems like a deja vu.

"British Film Festival 12th Edition is organised by the British Council with the support of the British Embassy Yerevan, UNICEF and ArmenTel (brand name Beeline). In addition to showcasing the best of the British film industry of the recent years, training and competitions will be organised. […]
The information partners of the 12th British Film Festival are H2 TV station, Dar21 TV station, Laym TV station, Yerkir Media TV station, Shoghakat TV station, Civilnet, Public Radio, Radio Van, Radio Hay, Armradio FM 107 and Bravo.am, imyerevan.com, emporium.am."

The history of pretty close relationship between British Council in Armenia (more of their local staff) with the homophobic radio Van station was exposed by this blog back in 2010 [‘Champion of equality’ British Council Armenia sponsors homophobic radio station in Yerevan]. It took efforts for the former British ambassador in Armenia to make essential steps at damage control. And here we are again.

Only last week it was revealed that head of the radio Van station Shushanik is a member (“friends”) of “Griboedov” club in Yerevan, established by notorious “burn gay hearts” Putin propagandist Dmitry Kiselev. Indeed, Shushanik's utterly homophobic views earned Radio Van their place in Armenia: Homophobia Hall of Shame.

Not to mention some other questionable, to say the least, choices by the British Council Armenia, such as Yerkir Media TV, nationalist ARF Dashnaktsutyun outlet that was instrumental in instigating hatred towards gay friendly DIY bar firebombed in Armenia capital in 2012.

Ironically, festival’s web page mentions that “12th Edition dedicated to Inclusion and Communication”.

Hypocrisy of Armenian TV personalities exposed: Lulu and Nazeni

It’s been 5 years already that British Council Armenia organises Na/Ne media competition on “issues relating to the gender equality in general” and how “particular publications or stories have resulted or may soon result in positive changes.” According to the British Council Armenia website, all published or broadcast materials should cover “the activities and achievements, problems and challenges of women in political, economic and social spheres. All publications should be presented from the gender equality perspective.” [emphasis mine] British Embassy in Armenia is a co-founder of Na/Ne Media Award.

February 2013. TV personality Lusine Badalyan, more known as Lulu, was a co-host of Na/Ne gender equality media awards ceremony by British Council Armenia. [Lulu worked in homophobic radio Van station, now TV host in Kentron TV station owned by oligarch MP Tsarukyan, head of Prosperous Armenia party]

August 2013. Lulu joins anti-gender equality law hysteria by a series of comments, status updates on Facebook, as well as by inviting and agreeing with homophobic individuals, conspiracy theory fans, who are among those who provoke anti-gender equality and homophobic hysteria on- and off-line.

In a series of TV programmes she hosts, Lulu repeatedly agrees with such people, including members of so called “Pan-Armenian parents committee”, a copycat of similar Russian structure that spreads hatred online and in Armenian media towards LGBT, as well as targets individuals and women’s rights groups for their work on gender equality.

She agrees “completely” with all the conspiracy theories that her guests introduce and claims she will not agree for her children’s teacher to be member of other than Armenian church ‘official’ religion or homosexual. Lulu also complains that “pure Armenians” are the minority in Armenia. She commits to fight against gender equality laws. [example 1; and example 2 with Armenian version of Russia’s Mizulina - there are more examples, these are for illustration purposes]

Lulu also posted a hand-written letter on her FB, as if out of compassion, of a gay person who wanted to be “cured of homosexuality”.

***
And here are more examples of hypocrisy, this time by another TV personality, Armenia TV host Nazeni Hovhannisyan, who apparently felt that she could preach morality to others.

“We should not remain SILENT. Watch this - this will only take 10 minutes of your life but perhaps then we will WIN centuries"  - This is a suggestion by Nazeni to her Faceboook followers to watch hateful, filled with conspiracy theories video about gender equality 'destroying Armenian families', full with homophobia and targeting women’s rights groups and individuals. This video was prepared by so called “Pan-Armenian parents committee”, a copycat of similar Russian groups.

A humorous posters appeared on Facebook, exposing Nazeni’s hypocrisy.

Former British Ambassador in Armenia Charles Lonsdale: ‘Limited progress in reporting of gay issues, still long way to go to overcome prejudices’

On his farewell blog post, former British Ambassador in Armenia Charles Lonsdale says:

“[...] There’s also been some progress on gender issues and it’s possible now to hope for some progress on the question of domestic violence in a way I didn’t think possible when I first arrived.  There’s even been some limited progress in reporting of lesbian and gay issues, though there’s still a long way to go to overcome some deep-rooted prejudices.”

More on Unzipped: British ambassador in Armenia says ‘good-bye’. “Love embassy” stays

*picture - via British Embassy Yerevan FB page

Homophobia Hall of Shame - “guest list” for British Council in Armenia?

UPDATE 29 April 2011: VO.X frontrunner Aram Rian has re-edited and replaced the controversial portion of the band’s "I Love Armenia" music video, by removing the reference to homosexuality as “perversion”. We have reached a mutual understanding with the group and consider this matter resolved as dialogue has taken place. We no longer have reason to believe either Aram Rian or VO.X is homophobic, and we wish them success in their future endeavors.
***
You may wonder, like I do, how British Council in Armenia (and British embassy in this particular case) chooses its collaborators, guests, sponsors...?

Who knew that they use my Homophobia Hall of Shame as their “guest list”?!... Wonder who will be the next...

British Film Festival in Armenia launches on 8 March with homophobic VO.X band performing (Epress.am)

UPDATE 29 April 2011: VO.X frontrunner Aram Rian has re-edited and replaced the controversial portion of the band’s "I Love Armenia" music video, by removing the reference to homosexuality as “perversion”. We have reached a mutual understanding with the group and consider this matter resolved as dialogue has taken place. We no longer have reason to believe either Aram Rian or VO.X is homophobic, and we wish them success in their future endeavors.
***
via Epress.am:

The 9th British Film Festival will be held in Yerevan from Mar. 8–13, in Vanadzor from Mar. 10–12 and in and Kapan from Mar. 14–16. During the festival, which is supported by the British Council, the British Embassy in Armenia and BMI (British Midland International) airlines, 6 films will be presented: “Made in Dagenham”, “The Arbor”, “Pink Saris”, “Enemies of the People”, “Son of Babylon”, “Sus”.

“We are delighted to offer our audience all possible genres starting with comedy and psychological thriller to documentary drama with all variety of topics: music, social problems, family relations, and, of course, love,” according to the information on the British Council website.

The opening ceremony will take place on Mar. 8 at 4 pm in Moscow Cinema with opening remarks by UK Ambassador to Armenia Charles Lonsdale, British Council Armenia office Director Arevik Saribekyan and BMI Armenia branch Sales Manager Simon Avagyan. Armenian music band VO.X will be performing at the ceremony.

Recall, VO.X released a music video last year of their song “I Love Armenia” which suggested that being gay was a perversion and, along with pollution, the neglect of historical sites and so on, should be eliminated in Armenia. The images of a gay couple with a big red “X” on them and the word “perversion” next to it sparked outrage among gay Armenians and supporters. The group has since issued an “official disclaimer statement“; however, some consider the statement to be less than satisfactory.

The special guest of this year’s British Film Festival in Armenia will be Sarah Ross, who has a background in broadcasting, communications and events, and has worked with the likes of Channel 4, BBC, Amnesty International and the Channel 4 BRITDOC Foundation. She will be offering workshops and master classes in Yerevan, Vanadzor and Kapan during the festival.

The films will be screening at Moscow Cinema during the festival in the original English without subtitles at 5 pm and with Armenian subtitles at 7 pm. Entrance to all screenings is free. Click here to view the festival program.

‘Champion of equality’ British Council Armenia sponsors homophobic radio station in Yerevan

British Council Armenia
We're throwing a party to launch The Selector, a radio programme featuring the latest music from the UK! Radio Van will be broadcasting the show throughout the year and you have the chance to win great prizes by tuning in to Radio Van and coming to our party at Lake Sevan. See you there! 

...and on the event's page: 

The British Council Armenia and Radio Van are happy to announce the launch of The Selector radio programme in Armenia. We are having a big party to mark this occasion and you are invited! [...]
Besides dancing and fun, you’ve also got the chance to win great prizes in a lottery! A return ticket to London for one person and an unforgettable and all-inclusive weekend for two at Arthurs Resort in Aghveran are up for grabs. A big thanks to BMI and Arthurs Resort for providing the prizes!
Besides the great music that The Selector offers, there is another great reason to tune in to Radio Van’s broadcast of the show throughout the year. You can win another return ticket to London to attend The Selector annual party, a prize once again provided by BMI.

***

Reading these announcements on Facebook, I could not believe my eyes. I was outraged and utterly disappointed with the decision by British Council Armenia to sponsor and support homophobic radio station in Yerevan.

Earlier this year, this blog exposed institutional homophobia and hatred within the Radio Van, with the head of radio station ‘fully agreeing’ with neo-nazi views expressed on their corporate blog. This ‘inspired’ me for launching Armenia: Homophobia Hall of Shame. Back then, I did express my firm belief that promoting hate should not be profitable in Armenia. Apparently, British Council in Armenia does not share such views.

I also pointed out at sponsorship by British Embassy in Armenia for a project within the radio station aimed at... promoting European integration (!!).

British Ambassador in Armenia was quick to intervene and reassured that the embassy was unaware of the homophobic material, the Euro project was agreed long before and now completed, and they “do not have any other current projects with Radio Van”. Thanks to that intervention, main homophobic materials were removed from the Radio Van’s corporate blog. However, that removal was simply a technical act. Head of radio station Shushanik made it clear on several occasions that her views did not change, that she was forced to remove materials, and the radio station never publicly acknowledged or distanced from their homophobic past, which never really became ‘past’ but continued to be ‘present’.

‘Marking’ International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), 17 May 2010, head of Radio Van Shushanik effectively and literally compared gays to... ‘sh*t’, cleverly using a seemingly not gay related citation and effectively equaling fight against homophobia with that against ‘sh*tophobia’. (link)

And here we are, our ‘champion of equality’ British Council Armenia happily sponsoring projects with such radio station and making joint invitations to a fancy beach party with “great prizes”. ...If this is “the freedom of expression and the diversity of views” British Council Armenia “respects”, then no comments, indeed.

In reply to my outrage and disappointment with their sponsorship of homophobic organisation, British Council Armenia came out with a relatively long response which contained quite a few but somehow irrelevant references to “equality” and “diversity” and did not address in any way my concerns re homophobia.

“The British Council values Equality and Diversity and aims to establish cooperation with individuals and organisations representing the diversity of Armenia and the world. We also respect the freedom of expression and the diversity of views, at the same time we always do our best to promote our values of Equality and Diversity among our partners and beneficiaries and to ensure that no discrimination occurs in the framework of our partnership initiatives and all the project stakeholders are treated with respect. In regard to this particular project, we would like to stress that this partnership has its history since 2003 when The Selector was being broadcast by RadioVan. Moreover this is a true non-commercial partnership thanks to which it has been possible to revive  the Selector in Armenia and bring our audiences the best of British music as we believe that Art is one of the most powerful media for establishing intercultural dialogue and promoting positive social change. We do hope that you will enjoy this initiative and that it will help us strengthen the links between Armenia and the UK."

No, I won’t and I cannot enjoy any initiative which promotes or sponsors homophobic groups in Armenia or elsewhere. This is not the way to “strengthen the links between Armenia and the UK”.

All these references to “Equality” and “Diversity” are totally devalued if, on one hand, the British Council sponsors ‘silent’ posters against discrimination, but in practice loudly sponsors homophobic radio station with fancy launch parties. This sponsorship by British Council clearly contradicts declared British Foreign Policy directives in promoting equality, human rights, including LGBT rights, worldwide. Moreover, not only British Council in Armenia is not ashamed of these connections, it proudly announces involvement of at least one other British institution, BMI, in sponsoring of this project with “great prizes”. I assume - or I want to believe - that BMI is not aware of homophobic nature of the organisation they are sponsoring.

Shameful.

Playing low: Radio Van in Yerevan promotes hatred and homophobia

Head of radio station Shushanik “absolutely agree” with the views of a neo-nazi

...Starting with the title of Wednesday’s announcement - a radio programme to discuss “the problem of homosexuality in Armenia”. Then a ‘breaking discovery’ by the representative of Radio Van that gay Armenians successfully use social networking or online dating websites... How come... But the ‘icing on the cake’ was the fact they dubbed a disgraced politician-turned-ecologist-turned-pastor-turned-bigot no one- Khachik Stamboltsyan an “expert” and “publicist” (публицист) (see examples of some of his past ‘expert opinions’ (1; 2; 3), or today’s marazmovedenie). They wanted to make a PR headline for their radio station using gay Armenian guy as a toy. They wanted a circus, and they made a circus of themselves.

That for Radio Van homosexuality is a “problem”, became evident after the relatively recent cultural shock Shushanik, head of the radio station, experienced in Spain.

Apparently, ladies and gentlemen, the head of Radio Van - Shushanik - was a closeted homophobe who comes out with blogging. She could not stand that her beloved Spain has transformed into a society of free minded people with laws that give gay men and women equal rights similar to heterosexuals, including that of marriage.

Back home in Yerevan, she started seeing gays everywhere - in cafes, streets, airports... Oh, but she forgot to look at her immediate surrounding. She could have been ‘pleasantly’ surprised.

Shushanik got so carried away by hate that she “absolutely agree” - in determination to exterminate gays - with an Armenian neo-nazi who uses swastika as his livejournal userpic. This is perhaps one of the most disgraceful exchange of comments I have ever seen in Armenian media. On one side is a neo-nazi, on the other side - head of radio station saying ‘’I absolutely agree with you” to a... neo-nazi.

Below is an extract via comments section to one of Shushanik’s homophobic blog posts.

Արորդի 16:19 on Сентябрь 18, 2009
Գոմիկների «իրավունքները», «կարմիր խնձորի» թաղումը և սեռական սանձարձակության տարածման միջոցով ընտանիքի ինստիտուտի քայքայումը, «ընտանիքի պլանավորիչները»` այդ ամենը գործիք է, որ կրճատեն Արիական քաղաքակրթության կրողների քանակը և իվերջո, արիացի ազգերի «քոքը կտրեն»: Դա ագրեսիայի շատ վտանգավոր տեսակ է, դա սողացող ցեղասպանության ձև է: Ուստի` քանի դեռ կա առողջ մեծամասնություն, այն ԻՐԱՎՈՒՆՔ ունի և ՊԱՐՏԱՎՈՐ է ցանկացած միջոցներով հակահարված տալ այդ վիժվածքների: Դա կլինի ընդամենը ԱՌՈՂՋ ԻՆՔՆԱՊԱՇՏՊԱՆՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ


shushanik 03:58 on Сентябрь 19, 2009
я абсолютно согласна с вами. Если делать демократичное лицо и делать вид,что то, что происходить ,нас не касается ,то это зло,да и не тольео это,очень быстро проникнет во все сферы жизни, как сейчас и происходит. У меня такое ощущение,что выполнятся очень важный стратегический план против человечества, и он похуже всех панэпидемий. Человечество планировано уничтожается ,разными методами- насаждение наркотивок,насилия, обесценивание всего того,что накопило человечество,однополые браки. Если равнодушно смотреть на все это, катастрофа приблизится неминуемо. Мы же боремся против наркотиков и пьянства, мы же посемествно говорим о вреде курения,огромными буквами выписывая предупреждения на сигарентых пачках? А однополые браки опасны не для физического здоровья,а морального и духовного. Однозначно считаю,что либеральничать нельзя. » Стерилизовать и в резервацию!» Мы уже опоздали, посмотрите,что уже делается в нашем городе?! Вы видели официантов в кафе? Они же в большинстве уже голубые,как они ходят, как разговаривают, как кокетничают при виде мужчины. Фу,гадость! Если ничего не делать,это значит обречь следующее поколение наших внуков на явную однополую любовь. Народ,опомнитесь, какая демократия?Давайте тогда будем защищать права наркоманов, права пьяниц, быть терпименее к юным токсикаманам, до чего мы тогда докатимся????

Head of Radio Van Shushanik and some of her employees promote views that deny people’s dignity and endanger their lives... Radio Van is so OUT of my playlist.

‘EURO’ Radio Van supported by British Embassy in Armenia

Apparently, this radio station got sponsored by British Embassy in Armenia for a radio project aimed at... promoting European integration (!!). I assume that British Embassy, like many others, was unaware of endemic hatred and homophobia in this radio station. Well, now they know... Promoting hate should NOT be profitable in Armenia.

Armenia: Homophobia Hall of Shame

Starting today, there will be a new page on my blog - Armenia: Homophobia Hall of Shame. Any organisation or individual in Armenia and Diaspora that promotes homophobia will be eligible for the entry. Whenever appropriate or available, link will be placed next to the name with the example(s) of hatred.

First entrants to the Hall are Iravunk newspaper and Radio Van. More entries to follow, including based on my past postings. Not a company one should be proud of. Of course, it’s very possible that Ms. Shushanik will consider this nomination an honour. If that’s the case - congrats.

No, putting individuals or organisations to the Hall of Shame does not bring me pleasure. I wish the Hall is empty or does not exit at all. It won’t be your usual blacklist. That’s not the main purpose. The purpose is to show that hate is wrong. Hate is not cool. Hate should NOT be profitable. And there are always ways out. You just have to want to get out and make efforts to change yourself for better, to free yourself of hate.

If you think of collaborating with or sponsoring an individual or organisation in Armenia and /or Diaspora, use this list as an exclusion criteria.