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

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.

Eurovision 2017 - South Caucasus in Kyiv

UPDATE Friday 12 May 2017: Armenia's Artsvik did quite a good job during the first semi-final. She definitely pulled it off live on stage, and the song has grown on me. Watching her live, I've changed my opinion about the choice of song as she made it fit her vocals quite nicely.
Azerbaijan was not as good during the first semi, as I expected, and Georgia predictably did not reach the final.

There was another Armenian performing during the first semi-final: Hovig from Cyprus. He was pretty good too and passed through to the final. Quite an 'Armenian Eurovision' the show turned into.

And finally, the identity of those hot guys on the picture below revealed. They are the dancers on stage during Greece performance. You are welcome :))

***
First of all, this picture. Because I like it. The message. The visuals.

*posted by official Eurovision Twitter account: "It's all about celebrating love and diversity at #Eurovision". Quite a package, one might say :))

Now back to the main topic of this post.

All three South Caucasus countries represented by female leads.

The most interesting is Dihaj from Azerbaijan. They represent alternative music/art scene of the country. I have to say I like their image more than the song which is mainstream-ed to appeal to broader Eurovision audience. Still, the theme of Skeletons is not boring and they have a potential of interesting stage presentation, as was evidenced by videos from the rehearsals.

And Nigar, Copenhagen based Azeri artist, who participates in their videos is pretty hot. For more pics & info re the band see here.

Artsvik will represent Armenia. During Eurovision national preselection I was supportive of her because she had a potential with her vocal range (out of choices on offer, that is) but she needed a suitable song. And here comes the problem. The song they’ve chosen doesn't fit well with Artsvik’s vocals. The music video is very weird and as such memorable, visually could do better on stage. But the song is not a 'sing-able' song. It is not something I would listen to without seeing it or sing-a-long to. It’s instantly forgettable, song-wise.

Georgia's entry is seemingly the safest choice, ticking the most Eurovision ‘tick boxes’, beautiful singer, pleasant voice, a ballad. But overall it is not very memorable and a little bit boring.

I haven't seen most of other Eurovision entries yet, so can't say how strong or weak South Caucasus entries are compared to others. Suffice to note, I hardly see a winner of the Eurovision 2017 among South Caucasus countries. Still, exciting week ahead, with potentially some memorable presentations on stage.

In the meantime, enjoy this non-Eurovision video by Dihaj.

Armenia and Orlando

Armenia president Serj Sargsyan strongly condemns “horrendous manifestation of intolerance” and “any expression of hatred”. At least, this is how he formulated his reaction to Orlando in a letter of condolences to the US president Obama following attack on LGBT club Pulse.

President Serzh Sargsyan sent a letter of condolences to the President of the United States Barack Obama on a horrible terrorist act which took place at a club in Orlando, claiming several dozens of innocent lives and wounded. The President of Armenia strongly condemned this horrendous manifestation of intolerance and underscored that the misfortune, that has befallen the friendly American people, proves once again that any expression of hatred is still a serious challenge to the humanity and it is our shared responsibility and mission to address them.

ՑԱՎԱԿՑԱԿԱՆ ՆԱԽԱԳԱՀ ՍԵՐԺ ՍԱՐԳՍՅԱՆԸ ՑԱՎԱԿՑԱԿԱՆ ՀԵՌԱԳԻՐ Է ՀՂԵԼ ԱՄՆ ՆԱԽԱԳԱՀ ԲԱՐԱՔ ՕԲԱՄԱՅԻՆ 13.06.2016 Նախագահ Սերժ Սարգսյանը ցավակցական հեռագիր է հղել Ամերիկայի Միացյալ Նահանգների Նախագահ Բարաք Օբամային՝ Օռլանդո քաղաքի ակումբում տեղի ունեցած սահմռկեցուցիչ ահաբեկչության կապակցությամբ, որի հետևանքով զոհվել և վիրավորվել են մի քանի տասնյակ անմեղ մարդիկ: Հանրապետության Նախագահը խստորեն դատապարտել է անհանդուրժողականության այս զարհուրելի երևույթը և ընդգծել, որ բարեկամ ամերիկացի ժողովրդին պատուհասած այդ դժբախտությունը կրկին ապացուցեց, որ ատելության բոլոր դրսևորումները, որոնց հաղթահարումը բոլորի հավաքական պարտքն ու առաքելությունն է, նույնիսկ 21-րդ դարում շարունակում են մնալ լրջագույն մարտահրավեր մարդկության համար:

4 years ago his party spokesman Eduard Sharmazanov (currently deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament) endorsed firebombers of gay friendly DIY bar in Armenia capital Yerevan.

“All those who are trying to protect homosexuals, who are perverting our society, are defaming the Armenian national identity. As an Armenian citizen and member of a national-conservative party, I find the rebellion of the two young Armenian people against the homosexuals, who have created a den of perversion in our country and have a goal of alienating the society from its moral values, completely right and justified. And those human rights defenders, who are trying to earn cheap dividends from this incident, I urge them first and foremost to protect the national and universal values”, said Eduard Sharmazanov.

He echoed his colleague, MP from ARF Dashnaktsutyun party Artsvik Minasyan (currently minister of economy) who justified the attack towards LGBT friendly bar, saying the firebombers acted in accordance with the "context of our societal & national ideology, in the right way”. It was then revealed that Armenian MPs from the ARF Dashnaktsutyun party Artsvik Minasyan and Hrayr Karapetyan bailed out one of the detained arsonists, while the other one was released on signature that he won’t leave the country.

DIY firebombers were effectively pardoned. They got conditional sentencing and a symbolic fine.

And now Armenia president condemns Orlando using pretty strong wording, albeit without the mention of “LGBT”. A change of heart or simply a hypocrisy directed at outside world? How genuine Armenia president was when condemning Orlando would be determined by whether his regime would indeed crack down on anti-LGBT hatred inside Armenia.

Following Orlando, a significant proportion of users (not just trolls) on Armenian social networks, particularly the Armenian segment of Facebook, either kept silence or could not resist their ‘happiness’ at killing of LGBT people.

They were effectively proclaiming the killer a hero. These are the same people who change their profile pictures demanding the world to recognise the Armenian Genocide. These are the same people who were outraged when an axe murderer of Armenian was pardoned by Azeri president and turned into a ‘national hero’.

One of the organisers of Orlando solidarity event in Yerevan, executive director of PINK Armenia Mamikon Hovsepyan, said “it was painful for him to witness Armenians’ reaction to the attack, which included advocacy of hatred and insults targeting the LGBT+ community.”

“People without the elementary capacity to think began to justify the criminal. I do not understand how a crime against humanity can be justified. Many in Armenia have been aggressive and have even expressed support for the terrorists, inviting them to Armenia, which is very sad and inhumane. Today we came here to express our solidarity with the families of the victims.” Hovsepyan said.

The activist added that he was left “dumbstruck” by Armenian President, head of ruling Republican Party Serzh Sargsyan sending his condolences to U.S. President Barack Obama in connection with the shooting; “It would have been great had [the condolences] been genuine and heartfelt. But I don’t believe it; because the same party that justified 4 years ago [the attack on a LGBT-friendly pub in Yerevan] today extended its condolences in connection with a similar act. I do find it ironic, and yet I’d like to believe that they’ve changed.” 

It was disheartening to read PINK Armenia calling fellow Armenians ‘to respect innocent victims & not defend terrorist acts’.

We call on our fellow Armenian friends and citizens to respect the innocent victims, and not to defend terrorism and terrorist acts.

Կոչ ենք անում մեր հայրենակիցներին հարգել անմեղ զոհերին, այլ ոչ թե պաշտպանել ահաբեկչությունն ու ահաբեկչական գործողությունները։

Even two main US-based Diaspora Armenian publications (Asbarez and The Armenian Weekly) kept silence on Orlando for 3 days, before posting a more general op-ed or a report from Yerevan. As my Facebook friends noted, it's because no straight Armenian was killed.

I have to say that mainstream media in Armenia, at least on this occasion, overall reported on the events respectfully, including regarding LGBT people (example).

As was mentioned on the Russian service of BBC, in relation to reactions in Russia, this event showed that not everyone in our society a homophobe ("У нас есть четкое понимание того, что общество уже не едино в гомофобии.”). This is applicable to Armenia too. Not necessarily the most optimistic conclusion but a basis for hope.

Yerevan, Baku, Tbilisi: in solidarity with Orlando

Yerevan, 13 June 2016, in front of the US embassy

*via @pinkarmenia

*via US embassy in Yerevan FB page: PINK Armenia, friends, US ambassador in Armenia

*video via RFE/RL

Baku, 13 June 2016, in front of the US embassy

*via @nabiyevcavid, here and here

Tbilisi, 13 June 2016, in front of the US embassy 

*via Onnik Krikorian 

*via @Tabagari

Eurovision: the right to wave a flag and being political

I am not against flags or being political at Eurovision. While first and foremost a music contest, the Eurovision was, is and always will be political. And I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing IF it means raising or drawing attention to important issues people feel passionate about.

We frequently wish or expect our fave singers, actors, sports personalities to voice their opinion and contribute to good social causes, human rights causes, and we criticise them when - whether unwittingly or not - they appear next to dictators or keep silence. Entertainment industry, besides its entertainment value, has a huge potential to contribute to social changes.

From LGBT rights to the plight of Crimean Tatars and more. It's in this aspect Karabakh issue (or more specifically, waving Karabakh flag) should be viewed too. What is a different matter, however, is how or why this or that issue is being raised, and whether a platform or target audience is suitable for the cause.

*Metro

Every single year, there is an annual Eurovision battle between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Karabakh. I am pretty sure, for most outside viewers it looks more like a childish game between the countries who cannot look beyond their local boundaries; while inside Armenia and Azerbaijan (and their Diaspora), it's a big thing, likely to be planned ahead on the highest governmental level. And add to this a real life tragedy of war which Armenia, Azerbaijan and Karabakh witness on a daily basis, emotions understandably run high.

However, I do not believe the Eurovision is necessarily a suitable platform, in terms of its target audience, for raising Karabakh issue, other than for a concept of peace.

But as someone passionate about human rights, I cannot be against anyone waving any flag or raising any issue, other than terrorists' flags or hate speech. And this is regardless of whether I would agree or disagree with that action. The point here is that formally the Armenian delegation broke the rules and could be put up for penalty. But I find the EBU statement way too harsh and disproportionate, especially considering that their 'flag rules' had been poorly executed, are pretty stupid and unacceptable when listing together, on a same level (!), the flags of unrecognised states or states/regions within a country along with that of... ISIS.

And I am glad that Azeri singer Samra responded to their local journalist's Karabakh related propaganda speech with 'Eurovision is about music', and Armenia's Iveta reiterated that her action (waving Karabakh flag) was about peace, even if I am sceptical about such statements. In fact, this action hardly contributed to 'peace' even within the Eurovision. Yes, perhaps more people now heard of Karabakh than before, but did it lead to more people caring more about it? Did it raise among Eurovision audience the impression of Armenia promoting peace? I highly doubt it. My advice to both Armenia and Azerbaijan delegations: know your audience, and at least make some efforts to "come together", as the Eurovision slogan proclaims.

Back to the Eurovison as a song contest, I am happy that my faves from the 1st semi - Armenia and Malta - are through to the finals. Yes, Iveta Mukuchyan nailed it. There was also a powerful performance by Ukraine entry Jamala and a cool one by Georgia’s Nika Kocharov and Young Georgian Lolitaz during the 2nd semi. And all of them, that is 3 very different and pretty damn good singers of Armenian origin, became a highlight of this year’s Eurovision. All through to the final. Big congrats !!

If only our countries are as successful and as determined at peace and human rights (for real!), as they are on Eurovision stage.

Eurovision 2016: Armenia’s Iveta Mukuchyan, South Caucasus and more

When I first saw Iveta Mukuchyan’s music video of the song "Love Wave", I have to be honest, my first impression was like: oh well, ok-ish song, beautiful singer, problems with enunciation, but nothing special, apart from featuring hot enigmatic Swedish model Ben Dahlhaus.

I was hoping that presence of Ben on the stage in Sweden will do the trick to add an element of excitement and anticipation.

 *picture - via Ben Dahlhaus FB page 

*Ben Dahlhaus Instagram

But…

Only when I saw Iveta performing live during the Eurovision rehearsals, she really did make an impact on me. Her vocals are quite strong, and she owns the stage during the performance. Good job, Iveta.



It’s amusing to read comments dubbing her Armenian Beyonce :))

There is no doubts for me that she will easily qualify from the semifinal. The question is how far up top she will manage to reach during the finals. Wiwibloggs reviewers seem totally impressed.

Here is a music video of "Ari Yar" by Iveta Mukuchyan, full of diversity, and I like it. I want to see more such works from Iveta.



Btw, as part of Eurovision promotional tour, Iveta hosted Malta’s Ira Losco in Yerevan.

*picture via oikotimes

Here is the fact that was not highlighted by Public TV in Armenia: Ira Losco is a vocal advocate for LGBT rights.

I wish the day will come when I can say the same about Armenia representative at Eurovision. And I wish one day ‘Eurovision Armenia’ will proudly present such messages on their FB page.

Considering the high level of homophobia in Armenia and in line with the tunes of her song, I want to hear from Iveta a powerful all-inclusive message of love. Yes, with specific mention of LGBT people too.

Re other South Caucasus entries:

Azerbaijan: Samra is a beautiful singer with catchy song, but vocally she is the weakest among the South Caucasus entries.

Georgia: Nika Kocharov and Young Georgian Lolitaz are the least conventional among South Caucasus entries.

Great band, including musicians of mixed Georgian and Armenian roots.

*picture via esckaz

Here is a performance of "Gay Swimmer" (yes, you read it right! pay attention to the background of the picture above too) by the band.



However, I am not sure about the choice of their song “Midnight Gold” for Eurovision. Still, best of luck to Nika and Young Georgian Lolitaz.

Another singer to keep an eye on is Ukraine’e entry Jamala, of mixed Crimean Tatar (father) and Armenia (mother) origin. She will present with the song “1944” aimed at Russia, a tragic tale about deportation of the Crimean Tatars.

And finally, I really like France entry this year, and Russia’s Sergey Lazarev will certainly do well.

Lesbian Azeri activists in Baku stage photo-session in front of mosque : “We exist!”

Photos coming from Azerbaijan capital Baku target visibility in a context of LGBT, Islam and secular society.

The photo-session is titled “Z-53”, and as Azeri LGBT activist explained to this blog, this refers to Sura (chapter) from Quran, aya (verse) 53, where it is mentioned: “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves (by singing), do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful”.

“Our society always says that being LGBT is a great sin. Allah cursed them all, but these sentences from Quran show different view of Islam which denies all the dogmas in secular Azerbaijani society”.

Says Gulara Azimzadeh, head of the “Peace for LGBT” organisation:

“The photo-session “Z-53” represents religious, national and legal aspects of Azerbaijani LGBT people’s lives. Those photos are a message and a protest to the unbearable levels of discrimination from the homophobic society towards LGBT people. The fear for our lives derived during the making of “Z-53” did not suppress our demand for freedom of expression. For years our existence has been ignored – today we say “We exist”! Despite all the shaming, humiliations for years, and making us believe we were doing wrong - we accept our homosexual nature, we are not ashamed of who we are! You did not give us the rights to take them away. Do not try to fit everybody under the same figure! It is time to accept us – the people “different” from you.”

Unsurprisingly, as per organisers, this action generated a “huge wave of hatred” towards them, as is always the case whenever LGBT activists in the South Caucasus lower a threshold of visibility by their actions.

Respects to these brave Azeri activists.

*pictures courtesy of "Peace for LGBT"

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

“We Are Among You” campaign by LGBT group in Azerbaijan

Via Gay.az, the aim of “We Are Among You” campaign by Azeri group Nefes LGBT (“Free LGBT”) is to send a message to the public in this largely homophobic country that LGBT people are an integral part of the Azerbaijani society.

As part of the campaign, LGBT activists posted stickers “before you, a lesbian [or gay/bi/trans person] sat [or stood] here” in various parts of the capital Baku.

Как говорят организаторы, цель компании - показать общественности, что ЛГБТ являются неотъемлемой частью азербайджанского общества.

По словам общественной организации «Свободные ЛГБТ» (Nefes LGBT), общество ошибочно полагает, что представители ЛГБТ никогда не жили в Азербайджане и появились в результате изменения образа жизни после обретения Азербайджаном независимости, в результате активной интеграции в Европу.

«Мы, как и гетеросексуалы, являемся неотъемлемой частью азербайджанского общества. Мы не больны, и наравне с гетеросексуалами активно участвуем в общественной жизни страны». С этой целью в различных частях столицы ЛГБТ активистами были расклеены стикеры «До тебя тут сидел гей», «До тебя тут сидела лесбиянка».

*screenshot - via Nefes LGBT Facebook group

Human Rights Watch "World Report 2015": reflections on LGBT rights in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan

Brief reflections of different aspects re LGBT rights in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan by Human Rights Watch within their annual World Report 2015 released today.

Armenia

Minority Rights
Local lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) activists reported that LGBT people continue to face discrimination, harassment, and physical violence. Hate speech against LGBT people, including by public officials, remains a serious issue. Gender identity and sexual orientation are not included in anti-discrimination or hate speech laws, limiting legal recourse for many crimes against LGBT people.

Iravunq newspaper published several online articles calling for LGBT people and organizations working to protect them to be excluded from public life and for their families to shun them. A May 17 article included a “blacklist” of 60 people with links to their social media pages. Several people named in the article requested a retraction, but the paper refused. Sixteen people filed lawsuits for damage to honor and dignity, but a court rejected their claims in October.

Key International Actors
The PACE fact-finding mission report noted the improved political climate and progress toward Armenia’s fulfilment of its Council of Europe (CoE) membership obligations but also highlighted serious shortcomings, including the lack of judicial independence, abuses in the military, domestic violence, and hostility toward religious minorities and LGBT people.

Georgia

Anti-Discrimination and Minority Rights 
In May, parliament adopted an anti-discrimination bill that provides for protection against discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Some criticized the bill for lacking efficient implementation mechanisms, including means for imposing financial penalties for perpetrators. The bill put the Ombudsman’s Office in charge of overseeing anti-discrimination measures.

In February, the constitutional court in Georgia struck down a 13-year-old ban on homosexual men being blood donors.

Azerbaijan

Human Rights Defenders
Isa Shahmarly, former chair of the Free (Azad) LGBT group, hanged himself with a rainbow flag in his Baku apartment in late January 2014, writing in a note that Azerbaijan society was “not for him.”

Azerbaijan: IDAHOT 2014 with rainbow flashmob, online campaign and LGBT-related newsletter

Nefes LGBT Azerbaijan Alliance organised rainbow flashmob to mark the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia.

*source: @LGBT_Azerbaycan

Earlier they launched online "Hate Kills" campaign.

*source: @LGBT_Azerbaycan

Ahead of IDAHOT, Nefes published online newsletter reflecting some of the main LGBT-related news over January-March 2014:

1. Suicide of the chairman of Free LGBT Azerbaijan:

"As a mark of respect for Isa and hundreds of victims of hate crimes, we would like to declare that, from now on we will celebrate 22nd January date as "LGBT Pride Day‟.

2. Physical violence and death threats against president of Nefes LGBT Azerbaijan Alliance. As per reports, the perpetrator effectively escaped being charged and received a symbolic fine.

3. The results of survey on employment discrimination of LGBT people (survey covered 8 regions in Azerbaijan):

"64% of anwerers doesn't want to work with LGBT person and overall, 60% has negative attitude towards LGBT people. Furthermore, 60% of respondents said that, they will not hire LGBT person, if they were a boss."

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.

Yerevan diaries: Anecdote, Grindr and more :))

Few light-hearted stories and observations from Yerevan.

Let’s start with a joke that made me burst into laughing. (you have to know Armenian to get it)

Հայկը Բելին մի նետով սպանեց [կարդալ “մինետով”]

This follows by remark (in translit using Russian letters):

шат нетагргир а
***

A female teacher at one of Yerevan universities, to make her point stronger (or so she hopes), regularly swears in front of her students on something apparently very sacred to her: “I swear on my virginity” (“Клянусь своей девственностью”) 


Just to clarify, this is not a joke, this happens for real.
***

As Grindr is getting more popular in Armenia, so are the stories associated with its use. This one is about those users who are soliciting money for sex.

Apparently, when you use Grindr in Armenia, you frequently get asked: “local?”

Depending on your answer, you may hear different offers from the same person: 1. if you answered “yes” (i.e. you are local), you may get offer for sex for say 5-10K AMD; 2. if your answer is “no” (i.e. you are foreigner) - expect much higher price for sex: e.g. 200 US dollars or… iPhone.
***

...and finally.

This composition at Yerevan Cascade is dubbed “Artush and Zaur”.

[for background re “Artush and Zaur", the book, check relevant label on this blog]

Azerbaijan LGBT rights activist commits suicide: “This country and this world are not for me”...

[…] Isa says that, the pressure from the family leads most LGBT (lesbian, gay,bisexual, transsexual) to suicide. 

[extract from interview with Isa Sahmarli, October 2013]

Reports say that 20 years old Isa Sahmarli, Azeri LGBT rights activist, head of Azad LGBT group, committed suicide today. According to friends, he hanged himself with the rainbow flag. This video  that impossible to watch shows unsuccessful attempts to resuscitate him.


According to RFE/RL, he left a suicide note on his Facebook page reading: “I am leaving you. God bless you. This country and this world are not for me. I am going to be happy now. Tell my mother I loved her very much. I blame you all for my death. This world is not colorful enough for my colors. Farewell."

In an interview posted in October 2013, Isa commented on discrimination and abuses faced by LGBT people in Azerbaijan:

His family doesn’t want to accept that Isa is homosexual. Is also admits that it is difficult for his family to change mind. “ Though psychologists explained everything to my family ,they still accept it as illness.” Isa says that, the pressure from the family leads most LGBT (lesbian, gay,bisexual, transsexual) to suicide.

…And how many such cases go unknown or unreported, and not only in Azerbaijan…

Sadly, at times it’s such tragic events that generate reaction strong enough to shake the society to its core with changes in both attitudes and rights. Unfortunately, I do not think we will see Stonewall any time soon in Azerbaijan.

Human Rights Watch: World Report 2014 on LGBT rights violations in Armenia and Georgia, silence re Azerbaijan

Unfortunately, no similar section (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) is available within the country specific Human Rights Watch report for Azerbaijan. This is regrettable, as in a country with the poorest rights record in the South Caucasus, there is no doubts about violation of rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity too. Subsequently, without more publicity, LGBT rights in the country are moving even more underground and the issue is becoming even less visible while the rights abuses continue in Azerbaijan. Of course, the situation is exacerbated with the lack of active groups such as PINK Armenia (Yerevan) and Identoba (Tbilisi) in Baku.

Armenia

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Local lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights activists have expressed concern for the alarming level of homophobia in Armenia. According to PINK Armenia, a local rights group, transgender women who engage in sex work are frequently assaulted and receive no police protection when they report abuse. PINK Armenia also reported that the LGBT population continues to experience employment discrimination, obstacles to health care, and physical and psychological abuse in the army, in public, and in families.

According to an August Amnesty International report, government officials frequently condone violent attacks against LGBT people, characterizing the violence as an expression of “traditional values.” In July, the Armenian police made a proposal to amend the code of administrative offenses to establish a fine of up to US$4,000 for promoting “nontraditional sexual relationships.” The proposal was subsequently withdrawn.

Also in July, a Yerevan court convicted two people for damage to property stemming from a bomb attack in May 2012 against DIY, a bar frequented by LGBT and women’s rights activists. Graffiti identified LGBT people as targets of the attack. One attacker was sentenced to 19 months in prison and the other received a two-year suspended sentence. They were both amnestied in October. Local human rights groups expressed frustration that the sentence was too lenient. Armenia does not have hate speech legislation.

Georgia

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

On May 17, 2013, a peaceful gathering to mark International Day Against Homophobia was violently disrupted by thousands of counter-demonstrators, including some Orthodox clergy. The day before, the patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church publicly urged the authorities not to allow the gathering, calling it an “an insult” to Georgian traditions. Police had to evacuate the LGBT activists to safety, but they failed to contain the mob, which attacked a van carrying the activists, throwing stones and other objects; one journalist was hit on the head and briefly hospitalized. Authorities charged two Orthodox priests and three other men with obstructing freedom of assembly and petty hooliganism. The Tbilisi City Court ordered that charges be dropped against one priest. At time of writing, the trials against the others were ongoing.

Identoba, a local LGBT rights group, reported 34 incidents of violence and intimidation against LGBT people during and after the May 17 incident. The group noted that many victims do not report homophobic violence due to fear of retribution and police failure to investigate adequately.

Baku: Not quite “pride march” but Azeri LGBT activists attempt at visibility statement with rainbow flag

Azeri LGBT website Gay.az reports that a week ago, on 7 September 2013, for the first time some LGBT activists walked the streets of Baku with a rainbow flag. Two activists are pictured on the website, seating and standing with a rainbow flag in Azerbaijan capital Baku.

This was not a “pride celebration”, “march” or “mini-rally”, as wrongly indicated by PinkNews and Gay Star News, or anything remotely close to that scale.

This was an attempt at making statement on visibility, albeit with covered faces.

Considering a poor state with human rights in Azerbaijan with virtually non-visible LGBT community, this is a positive small but brave step forward.

As per reports, the action passed without incidents.

В минувшую субботу информационный ресурс Gay.Az провел мини акцию, пройдя по городу с радужным флагом. Как отметил организатор мероприятия Балухин Руслан, встречала прошла в дружественной обстановке и без инцидентов.  Отметим, что это первый случай в Азербайджане, когда ЛГБТ граждане прошлись по городу с радужной символикой.

*pictures - via Gay.az

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.

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