The Legend of Armen Ra and the Theremin: “I do feel I carry the cross of all gay Armenians on my back”

I posted about Armen Ra, US-based Iranian Armenian Theremin virtuoso, drag artist and performer, famous for uniquely brilliant interpretation of the music by prominent Armenian composer Komitas.

Great to know that a feature documentary about his life - When My Sorrow Died: The Legend of Armen Ra and the Theremin won Director’s Choice Award of the Illuminate Film Festival 2014 and it will be screened at 13th Annual San Francisco Documentary Festival in June.

*Armen Ra with producer Matt Huffman, director Robert Nazar Arjoyan, and mother Ruzanna Makarian-Hovanesian, Illuminate Film Festival 2014 (picture via festival's FB page)

*via The Bay Area Reporter 

When My Sorrow Died: The Legend of Armen Ra and the Theremin This hidden gem spotlights the savage wit and rags-to-rags story of the fabulously talented and uncomfortably honest Iranian-born performance artist/former drag diva and now stellar artist/composer Armen Ra. Looking a bit like champion skater Johnny Weir's twin separated at birth, the articulate girly-boy grew up in a prosperous Tehran family of Armenian Christian descent. A well-behaved little boy whom adults grew used to taking to adult functions, the seven-year-old shocked his grownup chaperones one night at the opera when he demanded to be allowed to sit in the royal box.

The 1979 revolution destroyed the boy's cloistered life of high culture and forced his mom to resettle in a shabby Boston apartment. Queer-baited and bullied at school, Ra finally beat up one of his tormentors, getting him kicked out of school and ultimately promoted to the 80s Lower Manhattan club-kids scene. There followed a furious stab at drag-diva stardom, interrupted by bouts of depression and binge-drinking on the verge of suicide.

A miracle at a New York rock club led him to discover the joys of the Theremin. While instant riches did not follow, Ra did get himself a spotlight on a CNN feature in which he was quoted as calling the Theremin his "Maria Callas machine." Eventually he recorded his first album, consisting mostly of music from his Armenian culture, whereupon he made a rude discovery. "And it was received well all over the world with the exception of Armenia. To think I brought the music of the patron saint of Armenia to millions of persons who never have heard it, and to get hate mail and death threats from my own people is disgusting. It makes me ashamed. I'm ashamed for them. Look, I didn't choose to be gay, I didn't choose to be Armenian, it is the way it is. If I could choose, it would be from Spain or Norway. Everyone's happy there! I do feel I carry the cross of all gay Armenians on my back, and that cross is getting heavy. So let's get out of the closet, kids, be visible, fight, that's how you stop prejudice."

He's pretty, witty, sassy, and in-your-face, and if your taste runs to girly-boy provocateurs, then this doc is your cup of tea. (Northern California premiere, Roxie, 6/14, 18)
***

And a treat from Armen Ra’s Twitter page:

*Armenian divas - Armen Ra with Cher

!f Istanbul: Rainbow films

A good selection of LGBT-themed films will be on a showcase at !f Istanbul International Independent Film Festival.

The !f Istanbul International Independent Film Festival was founded in 2001 and every February and March it hosts some 70,000 film buffs and celebrated filmmakers from around the world. Dedicated to showcasing the best in contemporary film, !f believes that the shared experience of cinema is a form of activism that has the power to connect people across borders and boundaries of all description. The festival is curated and based on thematic sections, some of which change every year to reflect issues that are gripping the world's - and filmmakers'- imagination.

With each such event, I am becoming more and more convinced that Istanbul (its European part) is perhaps the most vibrant city in the region, and I have to visit it as soon as possible.

Here is a selection of films from US to Iran to Turkey.
***

The Pink Report



"Homosexuality is a disease and needs to be treated!" stated Selma Aliye Kavaf, ex-Minister of Family Affairs. The Turkish military considers homosexuality to be a 'psychosexual disorder' that could exempt one from mandatory service, and therefore needs to be diagnosed by military physicians. If a psychological examination is inconclusive, doctors are required to use other methods - either an anal examination is called for or the applicant must submit pornographic images of himself engaged in a homosexual act. The Pink Report is an intimate encounter with four men and their moving stories of institutional violence, tremendous fear and the longing for acceptance within a society that considers them to be ill, rotten, disabled.
***

Circumstance



"In Iran we have the public face and we have the private face." Circumstance is a sensuous melodrama of forbidden love in modern Tehran. Teenagers Atafeh and her best friend, Shireen, are experimenting with their burgeoning sexuality amidst the subculture of Tehran's underground art scene when Atafeh's brother, Mehran, returns home from drug rehab as the prodigal son. Battling his demons, Mehran joins the morality police. As Atafeh falls deeper in love with her best friend, Mehran's disapproval grows. Suddenly, the two siblings are entangled in a triangle of suspense, surveillance, and betrayal. Though Circumstance is an unrelenting look into how religious authoritarianism forces its way into people's intimate lives, it also has an underlying beat that reminds the viewer of that unconquerable desire for personal freedom, and its will to life.
***

Becoming Chaz



A story of love, courage and being what you need to be. Intimate and nakedly honest, Becoming Chaz follows Chaz Bono's transition from female to male. Growing up as Sonny and Cher's daughter Chastity in a body he felt wasn't his own, Chaz decides to undertake gender transition. As hormone shots give way to top surgery, we follow Chaz and girlfriend Jenny's lives as they watch, question, adapt to, and sometimes rejoice about the changes. For Chaz, this is first and foremost a story of liberation. For Jenny, who fell in love with a woman but is now living with a man, there are questions about the nature of enduring love. For Cher, one can see the struggle, but also the strength involved in accepting life decisions made by loved ones. Told up close and with stunning simplicity, Becoming Chaz is first and foremost a film about courage and open minds.

Cher about her age, boyfriends and child’s gender reassignment surgery

Extracts from her interview with the latest issue of OK magazine.

Quote 1: “Age is a major pain in the ass”.

Quote 2: “I love having boyfriends”.

Quote 3: “Everyone who went before me is an influence for me and everyone who comes after me is influenced by me”.

About her daughter Chastity’s gender reassignment surgery:

OK: As a mother it must be difficult that your daughter is now your son...

Cher: It’s hard - I screw up on the pronouns so often but she’s very soft about it and cuts me some slack. It took much more courage for her to do it because I am her mom, she didn’t have one moment of peace.

Burlesque: Christina Aguilera... & Cher

Burlesque is set to be released in November/December 2010.

*pictures - via film's Facebook page.

Cher's son Chaz Bono to formally change his name and gender

Musician, writer and activist Chastity Bono (Chaz Bono), son of pop icon of Armenian origin Cher and Sonny Bono, has formally filed a petition to LA judge to change his name and gender. This follows last year's gender reassignment surgery (female to male). Back then Cher issued a statement in support of Chaz: "Chaz is embarking on a difficult journey, but one that I will support," she told PEOPLE in an exclusive statement. "I respect the courage it takes to go through this transition in the glare of public scrutiny and although I may not understand I will strive to be understanding. The one thing that will never change is my abiding love for my child."

Below is the latest report, via BBC.
***
Cher's son Chaz Bono files sex change petition in LA

Cher's son Chaz Bono has asked a judge in Los Angeles to formally change his name and gender following the sex change surgery he had last year.

The 41-year-old, who was born Chastity Sun Bono, now wants to be known as Chaz Salvatore, according to a petition filed earlier this week.

He revealed last June he had undergone the surgery calling it "the best decision I've ever made".

At the time, Cher promised to support her child on his "difficult journey".

"Although I may not understand, I will strive to be understanding," said the singer, who had Chastity with her first husband, the late Sonny Bono, in 1969.

A hearing has been scheduled for 6 May in Santa Monica, California.

Chaz Bono is a gay rights campaigner who appeared on the American version of Celebrity Fit Club in 2006.

The name Chastity came from the title of the 1969 film Cher made with her first husband Sonny, who died in a skiing accident in 1998.

Chaz Bono makes first public appearance with girlfriend Jennifer Elia

*365gay.com reports

Chaz Bono made his first public appearance last night since announcing his female to male gender transition. [read my earlier post - Cher's daughter Chastiti Bono comes out as transgender person]

Here’s Chaz and girlfriend Jennifer Elia at 2009 Outfest’s Opening Night Gala of “La Mission” at the Orpheum in Los Angeles.

Chaz is so likeable - and I think it’s great that the transgender community has another public face. The Daily News did a surprisingly warm story about his appearance last night, which is another good sign.

(photo - via 365gay.com)

Cher's daughter Chastity Bono comes out as transgender person

Musician, writer and activist Chastity Bono, daughter of pop icon of Armenian origin Cher and Sonny Bono, has come out as transgender person, announcing (via publicist) plans to transition from female to male. This is effectively Chastity's second coming out after announcing in mid-90s that she is lesbian. Publicist Bragman tells TMZ that "Chaz, after many years of consideration, has made the courageous decision to honour his true identity." Full story below, via Yahoo News.

Cher's daughter Chastity Bono is undergoing surgery to become a man

*via Yahoo News

The writer, actress and musician - who confirmed she was gay in a magazine interview in 1995 - has been considering having the gender reassignment operation for a while, according to Bono's publicist Howard Bragman.

He reveals the gay rights activist's decision has been welcomed by her family and friends, and Bono - now known as Chaz - began the lengthy process to change genders after celebrating her 40th birthday in March.

Friends, including Bragman, have already started referring to her as a 'he'.

Bragman tells TMZ, "Chaz, after many years of consideration, has made the courageous decision to honour his true identity.

"He is proud of his decision and grateful for the support and respect that has already been shown by his loved ones. It is Chaz's hope that his choice to transition will open the hearts and minds of the public regarding this issue, just as his 'coming out' did nearly 20 years ago.

"We ask that the media respect Chaz's privacy during this long process."

Meanwhile, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has come out to salute Bono.

President Neil Giuliano says, "Chaz Bono's decision to live his life authentically represents an important step forward, both for him personally and for all who are committed to advancing discussions about fairness and equality for transgender people.

"Coming out as transgender is an extremely personal decision and one that is never made lightly. We look forward to hearing Chaz's story in his own words in the future."

*photo - via Queerty

Gay icon Cher on her Armenian roots

I remember her first (and the only so far) visit to Yerevan in 1993, few years after the devastating earthquake. She was having a meeting with students at the Yerevan State University, and I was there with a close friend of mine, who was a huge fan of Cher (I like her too). She looked stunning, we were very excited to be able to ask questions, and hang out with her for a while. My friend brought with him an article with Cher's picture on it from a local Azg daily, and he got it signed by Cher. He felt very happy...

Below are extracts from a TV interview to be aired this coming week, via the Armenian Reporter, where Cher speaks of her Armenian heritage, recalls her visit to Yerevan, and revealed her fondness for Armenian food. A real treat for Cher fans, especially her Armenian fans. I hope we will see her again in Yerevan, this time not only for a short visit, but for her concert too.
*** *Cher with Lusine Shahbazyan in an exclusive and intimate interview, which will air for the first time this week on US-Armenia TV. Arman

The year was 1993. Cher boarded "one of those big airplanes that has no seating," a DC-8 cargo ship, to Armenia. "It was such a rickety old plane and they had bolted these little seats in the back for us and given us a canister of oxygen." Because of the wartime power shortage, they had to get to Yerevan before dark, "and we hit the runway as the sun went down."

Cher recalls her trip to Armenia and discusses her Armenian heritage with Lusine Shahbazyan in an intimate and exclusive interview that will air for the first time this week on US-Armenia TV. [...]

The modern-day legend remembers entering a random coffee shop in Yerevan. "All the men were in there," she says. "Some of the men were playing chess, but they didn't have any coffee and they didn't have any tea. But they were just in there. They were playing their chess. They were talking. They were all dressed properly, maybe a little bit of tatters, but so dignified. And it was the first time I thought, I'm an Armenian, I'm proud."

Prompted by Lusine, Cher also speaks of her father, Garabed Sarkisian. He was an immigrant whose parents had survived the Armenian Genocide. He was a farmer, sometimes a truck driver, and a man Cher calls "charismatic, a little shady like a bad boy."

"I don't really look like anyone in my family, except my great grandmother and my father," says Cher, whose parents divorced when she was two. She didn't see her father again until she was 11. "When I was young, every once in a while, my mother would look at me with the strangest look on her face; and then when I saw my father, I realized why. Because we made the same faces, and I'd never seen him. And when I saw him, I realized why."

"I liked him a lot," she says, "but he'd been in prison."

Sarma and kufta
After her parent's reunion, the family would often visit her father's relatives in Fresno. "All of my relatives were living there, in Fresno. A huge family, and my great grandmother never learned to speak English. My grandmother spoke English, but she called women ‘he.' She got [English] a little bit, but she didn't get it great. But they were great. They were really happy to see me, and my grandmother taught me how to make sarma, kufta, and all kinds of things. I really enjoy and love the food. Armenian food is brilliant." [...]