Global Pride 2020 - Armenia

Since the cancellation of Pride events due to coronavirus pandemic, Pride organisations worldwide united to organise Global Pride 2020 - the 24-hour livestream Pride event which you can follow today here.

Global Pride will also feature the following 3 videos by Pink Armenia:

Homophobia is illogical




Happiness



Mother-Child >  I will accept you no matter what



Also featured will be a presentation of New Generation NGO from Armenia. Azerbaijan will be presented by Minority Azerbaijan group, and Georgia - by Tbilisi Pride.

Using this occasion, below are selected works from “Queerantine” online exhibit recently organised by Pink Armenia to mark IDAHOT 2020.

*by Sona Turabyan Sonet

*by Lisbeth Salanderyan

*by Mariam Terzian

IDAHOT 2020: Keeping the Silence in post Velvet Revolution Armenia

Since the Velvet Revolution, Armenia is steadily improving its rankings in terms of democracy, freedom... One field that lacking progress is LGBT rights, where country is still among the bottom worst in Europe.

A shameful record, as we mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

Despite having number of seemingly committed to human rights MPs in post-Revolution Armenia parliament, no single MP (+ no single government official) had enough courage to speak up for IDAHOT.

Instead of Breaking The Silence - the motto of the day - they chose to keep the silence.

On a related but contrasting note, was great to see some government officials and media outlets in neighbouring Georgia, like Natia Mezvrishvili, head of government administration, and Civil.ge marking IDAHOT 2020 with such an important message.

Natia Mezvrishvili: As #UDHR has it "All human beings are born with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms". I stand as an ally with LGBTI people in Georgia and Worldwide #IDAHOT #NOTOHOMOPHOBIA  

Civil.ge: May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. We stand together with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer+ people in the fight against hate. #Lovewins #IDAHOBIT 🇬🇪🏳‍🌈
📷 by Eana Korbezashvili/Civil.ge - Tbilisi, May 17, 2017 

Unfortunately, I have yet to see similar stance by any media in Armenia.

History in making: first LGBT-themed scrolling billboards in Armenia capital Yerevan

UPDATE 27 May 2017: Yerevan city hall, i.e. ruling Republican party mayor, ordered removal of LGBT-themed posters from scroller billboards, citing that they were not "authorised" by them. Aside from questionable legality of this claim, by ordering removal of these posters, Yerevan mayor blatantly endorsed discrimination against LGBT people. On the same day, so called "Europe Day" was celebrated in the Armenian capital. Truly, a city hall of shame.

The fact that these social ad posters were on display for 2 days is an achievement in itself by LGBT activists in Armenia. Queering of public spaces continues.
***

Thursday, 25 May 2017

Armenia consistently ranks towards the very bottom of European gay rights league tables. Still, despite all the challenges, local LGBT activists keep on queering the public spaces. The process that moved to yet another level today.

The sight of LGBT-themed social ad posters across three scrollers in downtown Yerevan, around Opera and Swan Lake, is absolutely awesome. They are supposed to stay there for 1 month.

So well done, PINK Armenia. Truly, a history in making.

The messages on posters say:

1.Դու ուզու՞մ ես, որ բոլորը երջանիկ լինեն, ուրեմն մաղթիր մեզ երջանկություն։ [‘Do you want everyone to be happy? Then wish us happiness’]

2.Դուք հանդիպում եք նրանց ամեն օր։ [‘You meet them every day’]

3.Տրանս անձինք մեր հասարակության մասն են։ [‘Trans people are part of our society’]

Related videos were circulated by PINK Armenia as part of IDAHOT week*: 

h

*Videos and posters have been produced by Action Studio and Deem Communication, in cooperation with Public Information and Need of Knowledge NGO (PINK) and the Heinrich Boell Foundation South Caucasus Regional Office, through the EU-funded project “Solidarity Network for LGBTI Individuals in Armenia and Georgia”.

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.

X Factor Armenia judges: homophobes, closets and… drag

Egor Glumov

X Factor Armenia judge. Works as a presenter at homophobic radio station - radio Van. Self-proclaimed “militant homophobe”. To be more precise: “Christian and militant homophobe”, as he describes himself on a bio page for X Factor Armenia judges.

And here is Egor Glumov in drag, celebrating his workplace birthday. Or shall we say ‘celebrating’ himself?

*source of pictures: Tert.am

***

Garik, aka Ekaterin

X Factor Armenia judge. He is the author of lyrics for Armenia Eurovision entry Aram MP3 song Not Alone. But he is more known in Armenia as Ekaterin for his comedy sketches in drag.

When this blog exposed homophobic statements by Aram MP3, followed by Aram’s apology, Garik was all silent in Copenhagen where the song contest took place. As soon as he arrived back in Yerevan’s Zvartnots airport, he suddenly became all vocal, you know the fake macho-style type vocal, with a series of homophobic outbursts. [There is a saying in Armenian re this type of people: Հայաստանից դուրս կուռկուռի ձագ են դառնում]

And in his capacity of X Factor judge, Garik, aka Ekaterin, on the very day when the world marks IDAHOT, shouted that he is fighting too but on the side of homophobes. (watch this video from 1:17)
***

Andre

X Factor Armenia judge. Andre was the first representative of Armenia in Eurovision in 2006.

On this video (from 26:40) from one of past seasons of X Factor Armenia he burst into homophobic rant when a participant dedicated his performance to IDAHOT. It’s hardly a secret who Andre really likes being with and which clubs he attends when in US or Europe.
***

To sum up:

You do not have to expose details of your private life. You do not have to be gay rights activist. But you don’t need to be a f*cking homophobic bully on TV or elsewhere. And if you do, there will be people out there to expose your hypocrisy.
***

P.S. I wonder if X Factor license that Shant TV - I assume - holds allows such displays of homophobic hatred.

Lesbian kiss graffiti in downtown Yerevan

A year ago we witnessed Armenian version of “Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!” in Yerevan to mark IDAHOT.

Today this graffiti depicting lesbian kiss appeared in downtown Yerevan.

Whoever did it, big respects !!

"I am on you, you are on me" dance performance celebrates IDAHOT in downtown Yerevan, Armenia

While Armenian LGBT activists are not quite able yet to openly celebrate IDAHOT, they find creative ways to make sure that the event is marked in the very heart of Armenia’s capital Yerevan.

"I am on you, you are on me" creative dance performance was staged instead. Bravo.

Love is unprotected in a street,
love is fragile at home,
when there is no love.

«Ես քո վրա, դու իմ վրա» պարային ներկայացում

Սերն անպաշտան է փողոցում,
սերը խոցելի է տանը,
երբ չկա սեր:

 

Epress.am provides more details (AM) and video of that performance.

Սերն անպաշտպան է փողոցում, սերը խոցելի է տանը Երեկ Հյուսիսային պողոտայում «Ես քո վրա, դու իմ վրա» պարային ներկայացումն էր։ Միջոցառման հրավերը տարածել էր «Հանրային տեղեկատվութուն և գիտելիքի կարիք» (Փինք Արմենիա) հասարակական կազմակերպությունը հետևյալ մակագրությամբ. Սերն անպաշտան է փողոցում, սերը խոցելի է տանը, երբ չկա սեր:  

Միջոցառումը սկսվեց շատ հանկարծակի. երկու աղջիկ իրար ձեռք բռնած նստել էին մայթեզրին։ Հետո դանդաղ պարելով սկսեցին իջնել դեպի Աբովյան-Հյուսիսային պողոտա խաչմերուկ։ Աղջիկները կանգնում էին, նստում, գետնին թավալվելով առաջ շարժվում, իրար շալակում։  

Պարի ընթացքում մեծ թվով անցորդներ հավաքվեցին։ Նրանց արձագանքները հիմնականում բացասական էին.
- Դե էլ սանիտեկը (աղբահանություն և սանմաքրում իրականացնող ընկերություն-խմբ․) ինչի ա աշխատում, սրանք լավ էլ մաքրում են պոլերը։
- Անբարոյականնե՛ր։
- Սենց թավալվելով գնան, մեզ մինչև Ռասիա կհասցնեն։
- Վայ քո, ուր հասանք։
- Արա, լավ կինո ա, մենակ կինոյում սենց բան կանեն։
- Ինչ էշություն ասես կանեն։
- Դե հա անում են, որ Եվրոպայից փող ստանան։
- Լավ, սրանց ծնող չունեն։
- Լավ է ապե, հելանք ստուց, ստեղ ուրիշ շուխուռ ա։
Մոտենում են տղա և աղջիկ։ Աղջիկ. – Էս ի՞նչ ա։ Տղա. – Գործ չունես, մի նայի տենց բաների, գնացինք։  

Վերջում պարող աղջիկները ինչքան հանկարծակի հայտնվել էին, այնպես էլ հանկարծակի անհետացան։ Հյուսիսային-Աբովյան խաչմերուկում տաքսին կանգնեց, նրանք գնացին։

And here is a beautiful photo story of the performance on Hetq.

US embassy in Armenia marks IDAHOT with "It Gets Better" video message to young gay Armenians

Unfortunately, in Armenia it did not get better.

As PINK Armenia's annual LGBT rights report (AM) clearly illustrates, by all measures, 2015 was a year of regression for LGBT rights in Armenia as the newly adopted constitutional amendments re-defined marriage as a union solely between a man and a woman. Furthermore, a wave of hate speech against the LGBT community and their supporters hit the country [...]

(via Epress.am English brief)

Good to see that the US embassy in Yerevan posted a message on their FB page and YouTube video, in Armenian, by their press rep, who is gay, to convey "It Gets Better" message to young gay Armenians: "On the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, we remind gay youth that their lives will get better."

Այսօր՝ Հոմոֆոբիայի և տրանսֆոբիայի դեմ պայքարի միջազգային օրվա առիթով, մեր ուղերձը երիտասարդ նույնասեռականներին` կյանքը կլավանա: Today, on International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, our message to young gay people is: life gets better.

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։

Mamikon Hovsepyan: "life under the rainbow" in Armenia

I am truly honoured to be your friend, Mamikon.
***
Only recently he came out... again [Prominent Armenia LGBT activist perfectly shuts down homophobic journalist by coming out… again].

He then tweeted jokingly: "we come out every day. my public #ComingOut - season 5, episode 1:)"

Here is yer another episode of his coming out, now on the occasion of International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT).

Chai Khana reports: Life under the rainbow

Mamikon is one of the few people in Armenia who is not afraid to openly speak about his sexual orientation. During his teenage years, he had an inner struggle, which took him nearly two years to come out. Now he fights with the world outside to be accepted just the way he is; his desire is to form a peaceful life for the LGBT community and for himself.

Мамикон - один из немногих в Армении, кто не боится открыто говорить о своей сексуальной ориентации. В подростковом возрасте он боролся сам с собой, и ушло почти два года на то, чтобы понять себя. Теперь Мамикон борется с внешним миром, чтобы его принимали таким, какой он есть, и просто хочет мирной жизни для себя и ЛГБТ-сообщества.

Մամիկոնը Հայաստանում բնակվող այն քիչ մարդկանցից է, ով չի վախենում բարձրաձայնել իր սեռական կողմնորոշման մասին: 14-15 տարեկանում նա ներքին պայքարի մեջ էր իր դեմ. երկու տարի պահանջվեց, մինչև Մամիկոնն ընդունեց իրեն այպիսին, ինչպիսին կա: Հիմա պայքարն արտաքին աշխարհի հետ է: Նա խաղաղ կյանք է ցանկանում ԼԳԲՏ համայնքի ու իր համար:

Azeri group Peace for LGBTQ held IDAHOT event in Baku

Azeri group Peace for LGBTQ held an event in Baku - "The burden rainbow carry" - to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on 17th May.

As a special guest during their interactive seminar, Dr. Elmir Akbar, well known in Azerbaijan
psychotherapist, spoke about his analysis concerning the causes and treatment of emotional breakdowns experienced by LGBT people, as well as related issues.

Even though it was an open event, the location and the names of participants were kept confidential considering safety issues.

Says Peace for LGBTQ: “The world is beautiful as long as there is peace. It's in our hands to free this world from hatred.”

Participants then hold posters with human rights messages, which were published on the Peace for LGBTQ Facebook page.

"Normal dediyiniz nedir?” - reads one of the messages on posters, meaning ‘What do u define as normal?”. This is one of the slogans of Peace for LGBTQ.

*based on Peace for LGBTQ FB page

U.S. Ambassador in Armenia marks International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Kudos to US Ambassador for marking IDAHOT by holding a reception of LGBT rights activists and NGO representatives in Armenia.

*via US embassy in Yerevan

In recognition of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on May 17, U.S. Ambassador Richard M. Mills, Jr. met with Armenian civil society representatives who advocate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights in Armenia. During their meeting, the Ambassador heard from the civil society representatives about their work to ensure that the legal and human rights of LGBT Armenian citizens are fully protected.

The United States remains unwavering in its commitment to advance LGBT equality at home and around the world. Both former Secretary Clinton and Secretary Kerry have made strong statements condemning discrimination and violence against LGBT persons, recognizing that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The U.S. Embassy has supported NGOs who advocate for equal rights for all Armenians through its Democracy Commission Small Grants program.

Rainbow flag in the very heart of Armenia capital to mark IDAHOT 2015

*picture: via PINK Armenia FB page

Even if for a short while, to make this picture as a statement, rainbow flag was present in the very heart of Armenia capital Yerevan to mark IDAHOT 2015, thanks to this awesome bunch of people.

Big respects !!

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

Armenian version of “Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!” in Yerevan to mark IDAHOT

Activists in Yerevan posted Armenian version of Stonewall's message - “Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!”  - "Ոմանք գեյ են, թեթև տարեք" - across various parts of Yerevan, including street crossings, to mark IDAHOT. Respects!!

Exclusive pictures below.

UPDATE: 18 May 2015 - One day after my post:

...and this :))

UPDATE: 19 May 2015 - Two days after my post:

...and these :))