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

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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)
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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.
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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.

Armenia ruling Republican party rep to constitutional referendum observer: "Go back to Holland to gay and lesbian parties"

For my general commentary re constitutional referendum in Armenia and its aftermath, read: Defeated in Armenia

***

This video (along with number of other updates and videos on Twitter, Facebook and elsewhere), posted by one of the brave election observers Nairi Hakhverdi (Diasporan Armenian from the Netherland, lives in Armenia for years now) reflects perfectly the overall atmosphere of intimidation and general level of 'conversation' by ruling regime representatives at voting precincts:

"This Republican Party proxy said something along the lines of: "Just watch, it's going to be VERY different in 2017." I turned on the camera and asked him to repeat what he said. What follows is something about going back to Holland and going to gay and lesbian parties. According to him, I've ruined this country. 9/23 #ArmRef15 #ditord"

[Unzipped: Gay Armenia: by "2017", he refers to the parliamentary election that will be conducted according to new constitution]

This Republican Party proxy said something along the lines of: "Just watch, it's going to be VERY different in 2017." I turned on the camera and asked him to repeat what he said. What follows is something about going back to Holland and going to gay and lesbian parties. According to him, I've ruined this country. :) 9/23 #ArmRef15 #ditord
Posted by Nairi Hakhverdi on Monday, 7 December 2015

Why ARF Dashnaktsutyun in Armenia suck big time

There are many reasons why Dashnaks in Armenia suck. Here is just one of the reasons. Prominent party member, MP Artsvik Minasyan endorsed in the past fire bombers of gay friendly DIY bar in Yerevan. [you may find his utterly disgraceful remarks here]

Not only he was not reprimanded by ARF in Armenia or abroad but he remained on top positions within ARF Dashnaktsutyun.

Now, as a servant of Armenia ruling regime interests, not only he is out and about campaigning FOR new constitution (as part of Dashnaks’ shameful endorsement of the pro-regime ‘YES’ campaign) but to make his case ‘convincing’ praises anti-gay and anti-human rights provisions in the constitution, as reported by Armenpress:

"He also stated that for the first time the family will be under state protection, which means that the state will struggle against gay families, which foreign powers try to import into Armenia.”

P.S. There are tons of reasons why you should never support proposed by Armenia ruling regime new constitution and say your firm NO #ՈՉ during referendum on 6 December. Here are just few of them.
Of course, considering fraudulent voting record of the ruling regime in Armenia, no doubts they will 'draw' required percentage to prolong their very survival. We should, however, never surrender to the fraud and hate.

Bayer Healthcare distances itself from homophobic head of the Armenian Association of Young Doctors, avoids making public statement

Following my blog post President of the Armenian Association of Young Doctors calls for anti-gay violence, quite a few activists and concerned citizens both in Armenia and elsewhere contacted Bayer Healthcare to express their concern and outrage with the fact of their sponsorship of the conference co-organised by the Armenian Association of Young Doctors [to remind, the head of this Association is a virulent homophobe Gevorg Grigoryan who wants gays (“fag*ots”) to be burnt].

From my side, apart from sharing the blog post on FB and Twitter, and tweeting @Bayer and @BayerHealthCare, I contacted directly Bayer via their general maildesk contact system, as well as writing an email to the head of media relations Günter Forneck.

Although I did not receive replies from my email communication, I received a message from Bayer Healthcare via Twitter, explaining their position:

Dear Mika, we have seen your Tweets you published earlier this week.

Bayer condemns any behavior that discriminates against particular groups for example on ground of race and ethnic origin, color, nationality, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation.

Bayer does not sponsor the Armenian Association of Young Doctors.

Bayer’s support to the medical conference “Health-related issues of quality of life” in Erevan, 5-7 November 2015, was triggered by its partnership with the Armenian Anti-ageing Medical Association, one of the co-organisers of the conference.

Similar messages were received by others who contacted Bayer Healthcare re this issue.

While I was glad to receive a quick reply from the Bayer Healthcare distancing themselves from the Armenian Association of Young Doctors, and reaffirming their commitment to non-discrimination, I was not happy that these were done via private messages only, i.e. no public statement or press release by Bayer to make their stance firm and public.

My reply to them followed shortly:

Thank you for clarifications about your sponsorship of the conference and for re-affirming your stance against discrimination. I am writing to you on behalf of a group of LGBT activists and allies. I am glad to know that you do not sponsor directly the Armenian Association of Young Doctors. However, your support for the conference, even if via your partnership with the Armenian Anti-aging Medical Association, means that you sponsor an event which include organisation headed by a virulent homophobe. This was covered in social and other media, including the Armenian media outlet Epress.am. The Armenian Association of Young Doctors widely uses the fact of your sponsorship for their PR purposes (example). I would therefore like to ask you to issue a public press release to clarify the situation and your stance. Thank you in advance.

Unfortunately, despite repeated communications and twitter exchanges, I have yet to receive any public statement by Bayer Healthcare.

It is exactly because of such lack of firm stance that homophobes are able to use sponsorship from organisations like Bayer for their PR purposes, by effectively getting rewarded for spreading hate.

As I mentioned in my reply above, support for the conference, even if via partnership with another co-organiser, in the absence of public statement to clarify their stance, means that Bayer Healthcare sponsors an event which is co-organised by a virulent homophobe. As a consequence, many activists now question a non-discrimination commitment by Bayer, while number of young doctors in Armenia are unable to participate in the conference due to virulent homophobia by one of its co-organisers.

This tweet by @hambvart is very telling, indeed:

As young doctor I can't be @ @BayerHealthCare-sponsored conference cause I'm #gay & coorganizer calls 2 burn faggots http://gayarmenia.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/president-of-armenian-association-of.html

Many on Twitter and elsewhere expressed their outrage. Selected examples below:

@Khaghaghordyan:

@unzippedblog @BayerHealthCare really an appalling case of bigotry. Looking forward to read both the blog post and the statement

@GoldenTent:

@unzippedblog @VismundCygnus1 @Bayer @BayerHealthCare This doctor should not only not be rewarded but should lose his license

@GArmasCardona:

Young #Armenia|n doctor says "they [#gay|s] should be burnt," must not know about the Hippocratic Oath.

@CrazyPsyKO:

@KarenaAv This is incitement, plain and simple. Surely some law must cover it.

@VismundCygnus1 (here and here):

@GoldenTent @unzippedblog @Bayer @BayerHealthCare yep raises big questions. What if a client unknowingly goes for him for treatment and is a homosexual, wat will he do? Kill d client?! I agree this person cant be a doctor anymore

@KarenaAv:

@VismundCygnus1 @unzippedblog @Bayer @BayerHealthCare I expect Bayer to condemn this & withdraw its support. People are watching.

President of the Armenian Association of Young Doctors calls for anti-gay violence

Here we are. Gevorg Grigoryan, doctor, urologist, president of the Armenian Association of Young Doctors, and… advocate of anti-gay violence.

Says Gevorg Grigoryan: ‘They [gays] should be burnt.’ There should be total mobilisation to “fight fag*ots”. ‘We should not let them procreate’. Calls for beating, physical violence against gays and ultimately killing, as per Facebook screenshots of his comments (below, in Armenian).

“I will always be the one who will fight against homosexuals” [using derogatory Armenian word to refer to gays], calling LGBT people and their allies “grant seeking animals”, while the organisation he is heading aims at getting grants from international organisations ["- Միջազգային կազմակերպությունների կողմից առաջարված գրանտային ծրագրերի մասնակցություն"].

In a screenshot above, he confirms his anti-gay comments saying he is “proud” that he is against “perverse” people and “does not regret” what he said.

The Armenian Association of Young Doctors he is heading is holding a conference (6-7 November 2015, Yerevan, Armenia) re “health related quality of life”, and the conference is sponsored by number of organisations and pharma companies, including Bayer Healthcare. [other sponsors listed are Unipharm, Prom-Test Laboratories, Recordati]

I want to believe that they are not aware of the views of the president of the organisation they are sponsoring. Well, now they know.

I expect immediate actions from sponsors, and particularly Bayer Healthcare, by distancing themselves from this group, and withdrawing sponsorship.

Ethics Code of Recordati group offers “equal employment opportunities without discriminating on the basis of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental handicaps, nationality, faith, politics or trade union membership”.

Bayer specifically stresses that they will not fund “organisations that discriminate on bases of race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation or national origin”.

Time to amend mistakes in relation to this Armenian organisation.

And in future, I call international medical, healthcare organisations, pharma companies, health/medical related groups and individuals in Armenia, Diaspora and elsewhere to boycott this and similar groups.

Not only Gevorg’s comments are in contradiction with all possible ethical and professional norms that any doctor should uphold, but they border with criminal activity as clearly contain hate speech and calls for physical violence.

PACE delegates: Armenian authorities fail to condemn incitement to hatred against LGBT people

Below is a statement [Written declaration No. 584 | Doc. 13690 | 28 January 2015] by 22 delegates of the PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe):

[For background: Tabloid of hate: virulent homophobia awarded by Armenia president’s state medal and stamped by court’s approval]

On 17 May 2014 the Armenian newspaper ‘Iravunk’ published an article on its website entitled “They serve the interests of international homo-addiction [sic] lobbying: the blacklist of the country’s and nation’s enemies”. It attacked “homosexual lobbyists” for trying to “aggressively enforce their moral dogma on our country”. Demanding “zero tolerance”, it identified 60 people, calling for them to be ostracised, denied employment and access to the media, and excluded from participation “in the upbringing of younger generations”.

The chair of the ‘Iravunk’ board, Hayk Babukhanyan, is an MP for Armenia’s governing political faction, the Republican Party.

The authorities have failed to condemn this incitement to hatred and discrimination. On the contrary, on 25 October Mr Babukhanyan was awarded a medal of honour by the President of Armenia. A law suit against “Iravunk” for defamation was dismissed six days later.

We call upon:

• Armenia’s delegates to this Assembly, particularly those from the Republican Party, to impress upon colleagues the need to refrain from incitement to hatred and discrimination;

• The Armenian authorities to condemn such incitement unreservedly and to put in place measures to implement the Committee of Ministers Recommendation on combating discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Ms Petra De SUTTER, Belgium, SOC

Ms Boriana ÅBERG, Sweden, EPP/CD

Mr Claude ADAM, Luxembourg, SOC

Mr Paride ANDREOLI, San Marino, SOC

Mr Gerardo GIOVAGNOLI, San Marino, SOC

Mr Jonas GUNNARSSON, Sweden, SOC

Ms Monica HAIDER, Sweden, SOC

Ms Eva-Lena JANSSON, Sweden, SOC

Ms Lotta JOHNSSON FORNARVE, Sweden, UEL

Mr Pierre-Yves LE BORGN', France, SOC

Mr Philippe MAHOUX, Belgium, SOC

Ms Marit MAIJ, Netherlands, SOC

Ms Liliane MAURY PASQUIER, Switzerland, SOC

Mr Michael McNAMARA, Ireland, SOC

Ms Ana Catarina MENDONÇA, Portugal, SOC

Ms Marie-Claude MORIN, Canada

Ms Melita MULIĆ, Croatia, SOC

Mr Michele NICOLETTI, Italy, SOC

Ms Carina OHLSSON, Sweden, SOC

Ms Maria de Belém ROSEIRA, Portugal, SOC

Ms Deborah SCHEMBRI, Malta, SOC

Ms Tineke STRIK, Netherlands, SOC

Tabloid of hate: virulent homophobia awarded by Armenia president’s state medal and stamped by court’s approval

I’d like to start this pretty depressing post on a somehow lighter note, with a joke (AM), posted on Facebook for this occasion by user A.N.:

- Բարև ձեզ։ Բեղիկներով պահպանակ ունե՞ք։
- Ունենք, բայց էսօր գնացել ա մեդալ ստանալու։

In an article “They serve the interests of international homosexual lobby: the blacklist of country’s and nation’s enemies”, Iravunk tabloid listed 60 individuals with the links to their Facebook pages, calling them “zombies”, “traitors” and more.

"On 17th of May, 2014, the editor-in-chief of “Iravunk” newspaper Hovhannes Galajyan published an article on the newspaper’s website titled “They serve the interests of international homosexual lobbying: the blacklist of country’s and nation’s enemies.” In the article, the author presents a “blacklist” containing Facebook hyperlinks of 60 people, makes offensive statements addressed to those persons and calls for “Ordinary people to stop communicating with the lobbyist on the internet, as well as in real life, not to greet them, not to help them with any issues, not to engage in any business relations with them; state officials not to hire those lobbyists for public service jobs, and if they already work there, to fire them under any convenient pretext.” For employers to do the same and for the co-owners of media companies, so those lobbyists won’t be given any chance to make an influence on public opinion and also for “the heads of educational institutions, so they won’t let the lobbyists to participate in the upbringing of younger generations.” […]
On 30th of May, 2014, several citizens whose names appeared in the “blacklist” have sent a letter to the president of the editorial board of Iravunk, Haik Babukhanyan, and the editor-in-chief Hovhannes Galajyan, where they pointed out that the article contains insults, and also requested them to deny the information written in the article. This request was denied and in 03.06.2014 another article was published titled as “And they still dare to request a denial?” in which Iravunk continued to insult and give inaccurate information. In particular, such expressions as “this creature,” “filthy biography” and more were aimed at those who requested denial of the untrue information."

A statement posted by PINK Armenia reads:

“Today the court rejected the case of 16 individuals against Iravunk newspaper. Earlier the Armenian newspaper Iravunk published a ‘blacklist’ of Armenians connected to the LGBT community that it claimed to be enemies of the nation.

Few days ago this homophobic paper’s founding editor and two other workers received Medal of Honor from the president of RA. The president of National Assembly of RA also congratulated the founding editor of the newspaper, who is a MP and a member of Republican Fraction as well.

We believe that high level support of official reflected on the decision of the Court and this shows once more that hate speech and homophobia is highly supported by the high level officials of Armenia, and this creates atmosphere of impunity, gives floor for hate crime and fascism in the country.”

Courts in Armenia are not independent, rarely making decisions that contravene ruling regime’s position. Not only court rejected the lawsuit on the basis of “freedom of expression” (how 'noble' of them!) but obliged citizens to make payments in favour of Iravunk paper to compensate their expenses. Activists will pursue available legal channels to appeal the court’s verdict and, depending on circumstances, may reach the European court of human rights too.

Epress.am reports from the courtroom: “After the judge read the verdict nearly ten people began clapping in favor of the decision. Among them was “Iravunk Media” company director, Republican Party faction MP Hayk Babukhanyan (pictured on right), who just last week was awarded the Movses Khorenatsi Medal by President Serzh Sargsyan for the 25th anniversary of the Iravunk paper.”



To remind, this tabloid consistently and systematically publishes articles and other postings full of hate speech and virulent homophobia.

[Hate: Armenian tabloid Iravunk advocates killing of gays]

As I mentioned in past: “As a rule, one hate goes hand in hand with another hate. If you look at Iravunk’s articles, they are not just homophobic, but racist, full of hate to everyone who is different. If you are not gay, you would have still be hated by Galadjyan-like people. For ‘different’ ethnicity, colour of your eyes (skin), music you listen to, films you watch, T-shirt you wear. Anything, really, which is outside of their sad, little and narrow-minded world.”

To sum up: Ruling regime in Armenia turning hate into a state ideology and awarding hatemongers with state awards. Here is a shameful link to the the presidential press-release from the award’s ceremony and picture via president.am.

This picture will be remembered among the most shameful pages of the modern history of Republic of Armenia. Pretty disgusting sight.

And let’s not forget that this story is just part of the growing overall trend. Put this story into a broader perspective of impunity and culture of violence in Armenia supported on a highest state level, like recent re-appointment of Surik Khachatryan (nicknamed “Liska”) - notorious for violent conduct - as governor of Syunik region, and the complete picture is even more depressing.

P.S. This case was picked up by popular international publications buzzfeed (+ here), gaystarnews and more.

Opera Australia drops Georgian singer Tamar Iveri following virulent homophobia exposé

I devote this post to Armenian pop stars or other personalities, especially the ones in or around showbiz. I did hope that after Eurovision homophobia fiasco, they would learn the lesson. Well, some probably did. But definitely not all. I will come back to the latest example from Armenia in an upcoming post.

In an era of online communications, words have no expiry date and may hunt you down at any time. Of course, anyone can make mistakes, do or say something totally unacceptable, hurtful, and then genuinely apologise for the wrongs and try making amends. I am all for giving a second chance but only if I believe you are genuine in your actions and intentions, or at least I see some real efforts. If this is the case, people will forgive you. But at times the ‘apology’ is so fake that makes things even worse.

Just weeks ahead of her Opera Australia performance, Georgian opera singer Tamar Iveri was exposed as a homophobe. And it was particularly virulent type of homophobia, disgusting beyond words.

Georgian soprano causes outrage for describing LGBT people as "faecal matter”Georgian soprano Tamar Iveri, scheduled to sing Desdemona in Otello for Opera Australia in July and Tosca later this year in Melbourne, has been roundly condemned for an open letter she wrote to the Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili in May last year. In the lengthy diatribe, originally posted on her Facebook page, she describes LGBT people as “deviants” and suggests that homosexuality is part of the “faecal mass” being foisted on Georgia by the West. 

Iveri’s outburst came on the back of a rally organised by LGBT activists and other Georgian citzens to mark International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) in the city of Tbilisi. According to reports, tens of thousands of Orthodox Christian activists attacked the participants some of whom, it is claimed, narrowly escaped death. Iveri, however, lambasted the Georgian President for condemning the violence writing that she was “proud of the fact how Georgian society spat at the parade”.

The letter, which contains frequent references to bodily waste, sexual practices and Western moral corruption makes for difficult reading. Backing those who attacked the parade, Iveri says that “often, in certain cases, it is necessary to break jaws in order to be appreciated as a nation” and maintaining that the perpetrators of the violence were “Georgian youth of pure blood, still unspoiled by you [President Mikheil Saakashvili]”.

After outrage that the letter had caused, Tamar deleted it from her FB page, but it had already been translated by LGBT activists in Tbilisi and distributed online. Back then, this incident did not reach world headlines, with only Paris Opera cancelling her performance, formally due to “health condition” but many believe the real reason was the letter that was passed to the Director of the Paris Opera.

A year on, this exposé caused online storm in social networks and media headlines in The Guardian and The Independent with an instant demand to Opera Australia to fire her.

To make things worse, Tamar Iveri released a statement where she alleged that the letter was in fact written by her husband.

“My husband was using my Facebook account at that time and he is a very religious man with a tough attitude towards gay people. He copied my text, changed it considerably and posted it under my name.”

This was the most ridiculous and unbelievable attempt at damage control I have seen. And when she claimed: "He copied my text, changed it considerably and posted it under my name." - what was in her original text, I wonder? I do not expect anything positive.

Opera Australia has since been under mounting pressure and demands from LGBT rights activists, Twitter and FB users, opera lovers and financial sponsors to drop Tamar Iveri. After initial hesitation, Opera Australia released a statement announcing termination of the contract with Georgian opera singer describing views attributed to the singer towards gay people as “unconscionable”. Earlier Brussels Opera dropped her from upcoming production too.

The only right decision. And lesson to others.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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”.

Notorious “burn gay hearts” Putin propagandist Kiselev established club in Armenia capital

Reports surfaced today that notorious Kremlin propagandist Dmitry Kiselev established "Griboedov" club in Armenia capital
. The aim of this so called club is to ‘exchange opinions’ between Armenians and Russians and promote ‘integration processes’. Well, we all know what it means.

Meetings are closed, reportedly at elite restaurants, over expensive meals.

Says Kiselev about gays: "They should be banned from donating blood and sperm, and if they are killed in a car crash their hearts should be buried in the ground or burnt as unfit for helping to prolong anyone's life."

Among listed local members of “Griboedov” club are at least one closeted gay Armenian and homophobic head of Radio Van station Shushanik Arevshatyan (example), along with some other odious personas.

«Հայկական ժամանակ»  թերթը գրում է. «Տեւական ժամանակ է, Երեւանում կիսագաղտնիության քողի տակ գործում է «Գրիբոյեդով» ակումբը, որի հիմնադիրը Կրեմլի քաղաքականության քարոզչության թիվ 1 հրապարակային դեմքն է՝ հայտնի հեռուստամեկնաբան Դմիտրի Կիսելյովը։ «Գրիբոյեդով» ակումբի հավաքները տեղի են ունենում ամիսը մեկ անգամ, երեւանյան տարբեր էլիտար ռեստորաններում, որոնք հավաքների ժամանակ փակվում են։ Այդ հավաքներին մասնակցելու համար ամեն ամիս Հայաստան է ժամանում անձամբ Դմիտրի Կիսելյովը, ով էլ յուրաքանչյուր անգամ մեծ-մեծ հաշիվներ է փակում էլիտար այդ ռեստորաններում ակումբի մասնակիցների ընթրիքից հետո։ Ընթրիքներն ընթանում են հարցուպատասխանի ֆորմատով, տեղացիների հարցերին պատասխանում են ՌԴ-ից հրավիրված հյուրերը, որոնք փոփոխվում են։  Հայաստանի քաղաքագետների միության նախագահ Հմայակ Հովհաննիսյանը, ով ի թիվս մի շարք այլ հայ հանրային դեմքերի, «Գրիբոյեդովի» անդամ է եւ մասնակցում է Կիսելյովի կազմակերպած հավաքներին, երեկ պատասխանել է «Գրիբոյեդով» ակումբի վերաբերյալ մեր թղթակցի հարցերին՝ հաստատելով մեր տեղեկությունները.
[…]
Հայաստանից ովքե՞ր են «Գրիբոյեդով» ակումբի անդամները:  Վազգեն Մանուկյանն է, Արմեն Մազմանյանն էր, Տիգրան Լիլոյանը՝ ԻՏԱՌ-ՏԱՍՍ-ի, էդվարդ Սանդոյանը, Կարինե Գեւորգյանը, ով աշխատում է Մոսկվայի Արեւելագիտության ինստիտուտում, ՆԱՏՕ-ի գրասենյակի ղեկավար Արա Թադեւոսյանը՝ «Մեդիամաքս», Շուշանիկ Արեւշատյանը, Եգոր Գլումովը, Շուշան Պետրոսյանը։

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.

Armenia - at the bottom of Europe re human rights protection of its LGBT citizens

Ahead of the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), leading European gay rights group ILGA-Europe launched its Rainbow Europe package reviewing the human rights situation and assessing what life is like for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people in Europe in 2013.

According to the Rainbow map and accompanied score sheet, countries have been assigned scores based on the level of legal human rights protection for LGBT people.

The Rainbow Map covers the legal and policy situation with regards to 6 thematic categories (Equality and non-discrimination; Family; Bias motivated speech / violence; Legal gender recognition; Freedom of assembly, association, and expression; and Asylum). The main rule is that sexual orientation and gender identity (or equivalent) need to be clearly referred to in the respective law or policy; or that lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people are treated equally in law or by the state. For the purposes of this map, a law or policy is taken to exist once it is adopted by the respective parliament. 

Published also a comprehensive qualitative annual review report containing separate chapters on each country that gives more detailed background about the situation.

Only 3 countries among 49 European countries have a one-digit score: Russia (the lowest 49th place with 7%), Armenia (48th place with 8%) and Azerbaijan (47th place with 8%). 

Shameful.

And with such credentials, Armenia assumed today chairmanship of the Council of Europe for six months.

[below is Armenia Score Sheet in English and Armenian]

How homophobia backfired: presidential election challenger Raffi stands up for human rights in Armenia

Here we are. Certain someone (tabloid editor, MP from the ruling Republican party) tried playing homophobia card against Armenia presidential election challenger, head of Heritage party Raffi Hovhannisyan but... shot himself in the foot.

That certain someone was Hayk Babukhanyan, or “babakh” (there are different variations of his nickname). In a press conference, reflecting the outcome of presidential election, this guy claimed those who voted for Raffi are “gays or ignorant” people. That’s around 37% of voters, even if we take official figures. True, there are different versions of the exact wording he used (here and here) but the essence is the same. All was done to play homophobia card against Raffi.

As I said repeatedly in past, although I disagree with Raffi on number of internal and foreign issues, currently he is my favourite Armenian politician (compared to others in public view). I also respect immensely his post-DIY stance, when he came out in support, even though it was obvious this would not be in line with the majority of average voters and in defiance with the prevalent anti-gay hysteria. I will never forget his stance.

Back to “babakh”. His attempt backfired spectacularly and generated backlash against himself on and offline  (examples: here and here) and all over Facebook. Of course, many of the comments were not particularly gay friendly, but it was hilarious to see how this homophobic politician’s statement resulted in a totally unintended consequences against himself. Unsurprisingly, his own party (very small one, supporter of ruling Republican party) issued a statement denying that such claims have been made. Too late, “babakh”. Too late.

But forget “babakh”. He does not deserve much attention. What is the most important aspect in all this story is Raffi’s response to him and people like him.

In an interview with Kenton TV popular “Urvagits” programme, Raffi hit back at attacks on minority groups (from 30.00 mins - see video below):



“All Armenian citizens have the same protection under the Constitution.“

“We need a constitutional state, where everyone's interests and rights are protected, and whoever violates against any group, minority or majority, will answer before the law, including those dear gentlemen”.

 «Բոլոր հայերը, հայաստանցիները Սահմանադրության տակ ունեն միևնույն պաշտպանվածությունը: Եվ ով այդպես խոսում է ուրիշների մասին, իմ կարծիքով մեծ խնդիրներ ունի որպես հայ մարդ, որպես հայաստանցի:

 Մեզ պետք չէ կեղծ ազգայնականություն, ո՛չ էլ կեղծ ազատականություն: Մեզ պետք է սահմանադրական պետություն, որտեղ բոլորի շահերը, իրավունքները պաշտպանված են: Եվ ով ձեռք բարձրացնի որևէ խմբի նկատմամբ՝ փոքրամասնություն թե մեծամասնություն, ինքը պատասխան կտա օրենքի առջև, այդ թվում այդ հարգելի պարոնայք»: 

Raffi is an exceptional politician for Armenia. I may not agree with everything he says but he has guts to stand up for human rights.

Big respects!!

EU head says LGBT people in Armenia are “the most vulnerable” while hatemongers celebrate “victory”... over cancellation of gay rights film screening

For background: Puppets attack Germany embassy and the EU office in Armenia
***
Unfortunately, both venues - The Club and Yerevan Puppet Theatre, despite the initial resistance and “voice of reason” by the head of latter - eventually gave in to homophobic blackmail by hatemongers.

This was yet another reflection of steady regress in Armenia in relation to rights, tolerance and diversity, despite reported “progress” towards European integration.

The head of EU delegation in Armenia Traian Hristea said that the reaction towards gay rights -themed film screening indicates that LGBT people in Armenia are “the most vulnerable”. And this is despite Armenia formally joining European anti-homophobia agreements.

Both Germany ambassador and the EU head in Armenia reiterated their determination to hold public screenings of the film.

In the meantime, activists launched petition in support of the initiative by the Germany embassy and the EU office in Armenia. You may read and sign the petiition here (bilingual -Armenian and English):

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/գերմանիայի-դեսպանատուն-ցուցադրել-parada-ֆիլմը

Homophobic hate groups and individuals in Armenia were congratulating each other today with the... “victory”, without even realising how total losers they are if they celebrate a “victory” over... film cancellation.

Չեմ սիրում “պարտված” կամ “հաղթանակած” տերմիններ օգտագործել, բայց ստեղ անհրաժեշտա: Իրանք չեն հասկանում, որ պարտված են, հենց մենակ նրա համար, որ “հաղթանակ” են համարում ֆիլմի ցուցադրման տապալումը: [my summary of the day in AM]

“Anti-fascist” Armenia deputy speaker Sharmazanov? Huh? I do not think so

 When couple of months ago, I wrote about Armenian politicians and state officials supporting and encouraging anti-gay terrorism, Global Voices linked to my post under the headline: Armenia: state sponsored fascism? This was a spot on headline and terrifying at the same time. 

Let's consider another example from the recent events re people fleeing Syria to Armenia. It turns out that if your wife is non-Armenian, your family is not allowed to enter Armenia using simplified Syria related visa rules. There were subsequent reports that the whole family is in fact not ethnic Armenian but rather Assyrians. So what???

Writer and journalist Vahan Ishkhanyan, writing on his blog, mentioned of other examples of Armenians in Diaspora applying for residency in Armenia being required to "certify" their Armenian ethnicity in a... church (!!)

I am all questions now. Since when Armenian apostolic church became a "verifying" or "certifying" body for Armenian ethnicity? What about mixed families? What about people of other ethnicity who happened to reach Armenia while fleeing (in this case) Syria? What about international, including refugee related, conventions Armenia is a signatory of? When will we stop this 'pure blood' nonsense?  Wtf is going on?

Armenia deputy speaker of parliament and spokesman of ruling republican party Eduard Sharmazanov recently lashed out at Azerbaijan and accused the Azeri authorities in conducting a “state sponsored fascism”, following pardoning of axe-murderer Safarov and turning him into a national hero.

Շարմազանով. «Ադրբեջանում պետական մակարդակով իրականացվում է ֆաշիզմի քաղաքականություն» 31 օգոստոսի, 2012
Հանցագործ Ռամիլ Սաֆարովին Ադրբեջանին արտահանձնելու հունգարական իշխանությունների քայլն առնվազն տարակուսանք եւ վրդովմունք է առաջացնում, քանի որ պարզ էր, թե Ադրբեջանում ինչ էր սպասվելու այդ մարդասպանին: Իսկ ինչ վերաբերում է նրան ներում շնորհելու Ալիեւի որոշմանը, ապա այս քայլը եւս մեկ անգամ ապացուցում է, որ Ադրբեջանում պետական մակարդակով իրականացվում եւ խրախուսվում է հայատյացության եւ ֆաշիզմի քաղաքականություն: Կարծում եմ՝ այս մարդասպանին ներում շնորհելու Ադրբեջանի ապշեցուցիչ քայլը չպետք է անարձագանք մնա եւ դատապարտող գնահատականի արժանանա միջազգային հանրության կողմից: ԱԺ փոխնախագահ, ՀՀԿ խոսնակ Էդուարդ Շարմազանով (source: Hetq.am)   

Seriously? Sharmazanov??? 

The very person who supported anti-gay terrorism and encouraged neo-nazi style violence against people based on sexual orientation and gender identity in his own country has no right to condemn fascism in another country.

I can do it. He can't.

In her piece [Բացե՛ք ձեր աչքերը, մհերներ ու շարմազանովներ], contemporary writer Violet Grigoryan expressed perfectly what I wanted to say too.

[...] Ու երբ Շարմազանովը, ի պատասխան Ալիևի հայտարարության, թե Ադրբեջանի ու Հայաստանի միջև անդունդ կա, փորձում է այդ անդունդն ու տարբերությունը նկարագրել իբրև թե՝ «Այսօր Հայաստանում խրախուսվում են ժողովրդավարական արժեքները, իսկ Ադրբեջանում՝ ռասիզմն ու ֆաշիզմը», պիտի հիշեցնել նրան, որ ով` ով, բայց ինքը Հայաստանի այն պետական պաշտոնյաներից էր, որ DIY վառելն ու վառողներին պաշտպանելը համարում էր ազգային արժեքներին հավատարմություն, այսինքն` խրախուսում էր ֆաշիզմը (http://www.aravot.am/2012/05/17/71465/):  

Խտրականության հողի վրա հանցագործությունները` լինեն ազգային, կրոնական, թե սեռական, Շարմազանովի վկայակոչած ժողովրդավարությամբ շատ երկրներում դատապարտվում են նույն հոդվածով ու փոքրամասնությունների միացյալ ջանքերով: Եվ եթե Շարմազանովն ու իր նման մտածողները ոչ թե խրախուսեին միասեռականների հանդեպ գործված հանցանքը, այլ դատապարտեին, Հունգարիայի դեսպանատան դեմ էթնիկ ատելության ու ռասիզմի դեմ բողոքող ցուցարարները մի քանիպատիկ շատ կլինեին, քանի որ նրանց կմիանային Հայաստանի այն ակտիվիստները, ովքեր դեմ են ֆաշիզմին ընդհանրապես` լինի սեռական, թե ազգայնական խտրականության: Կմիանային նաև սեռական փոքրամասնությունները, որոնց ներկայացուցիչներից շատերը Սաֆարովին հերոսացնելու դեմ իրենց բողոքն արտահայտում էին սոցցանցերում, բայց ամենայն հավանականությամբ զգուշացան միանալ այն խմբին, որոնց մեջ կային DIY-ը վառելը արդարացնողներ ու բազմազանության ցույցի վրա հարձակվողներ:  

Այնպես որ, բացեք ձեր աչքերը, մհերներ ու շարմազանովներ, մի լղոզեք ու մի խրախուսեք հանցագործությունները, դրանով մի կողմից վիրավորում եք զոհերին, տուժածներին ու նրանց մերձավորներին, մյուս կողմից` խոչընդոտում եք, որ Հայաստանը դառնա ժողովրդավարական արժեքների շուրջ համախմբված քաղաքացիների երկիր: [...]

Independent news back to mainstream TV in Armenia. BUT... along with homophobic editor

I am glad to see that independent A1+ TV’s flagship news programme is back on air (on its rival ArmNews!). Since its (decade-long) closure, I keep saying that until A1+ is back I won’t believe that things are changing in Armenia.

I know that homophobic editor of Aravot daily Aram Abrahamyan (Armenia Homophobia Hall of Shame) has been part of A1+ in past and present (online). Now, with the revival of news programme, it’s disappointing to see that the editor who advocates homophobia is part of the project too.

I wrote about A1+ in one of my very first posts after I launched Unzipped blog:

"(for years) They tried to ban A1+ TV, they sort of succeeded, but they was not able to ban A1+, for me - the symbol of free speech in Armenia. A1+ continued its live online. [...] If one day I switch on TV and see A1+ station live, I will understand that I probably live in different Armenia, in better Armenia, in Armenia which can be transformed to a country where I would prefer live in..."

Well, not quite a transformation yet. A small progress - probably.

As long as Aram Abrahamyan is part of the project, these changes will remain illusive for me.

Homophobe Gevorg Altunyan promoted to head Armenia Public TV’s main propaganda machine - Haylur

As a deputy head of news and analytical programmes at Public TV, Gevorg Altunyan was known to be a not so subtle manipulator of information under the disguise of ‘analytical commentary’.

His ‘Tesankyun’ programme was simply impossible to watch as it was a crying example of KGB style propaganda and manipulation of information to suit authorities’ orders.

He is also a well known homophobe , and constantly spreads hate and intolerance towards LGBT people in Armenia. Not surprisingly, he is part of Armenia Homophobia Hall of Shame.

Haylur sucked in past. Haylur sucks now. With Gevorg Altunyan promoted to head it, Haylur will continue producing information garbage in the foreseeable future.

Guests of the Rights Awards ceremony at the US embassy in Armenia: Ups and Downs

For background - read Secretary Clinton honors Armenia rights advocates

Thumbs Up!

*picture - by PanArmenian photo (Varo Rafaelyan)

I am glad to see that along with the head of PINK Armenia, owner of DIY Tsomak was among the invited guests too. This was a nice gesture and show of support and solidarity from organisers. ["HATE CRIME: DIY bar in Armenia capital Yerevan under neo-nazi arson attack"]

Thumbs Down!

I have a big reservation, however, re one particular invited guest - environmentalist Karine Danielyan. She is a Soviet-style 'activist' and doesn't fit contemporary rights movement. She is included in Armenia Homophobia Hall of Shame for considering gays as 'threat to national security', and more recently spotted promoting her 'activism' by claiming cleaner environment contributes to reducing number of LGBT people (!). Bigots like her should not be welcome in any civilised gatherings, especially RIGHTS related.

Quote of The Day re fascism, intolerance and "right guys" from Armenia ruling Republican party and ARF Dashnaktsutyun

"Все это звенья одной цепи, имя которой фашизм и нетерпимость. «Если я не принимаю, геев значит я фашист?», - возмущаются многие. Нет, принимать или не принимать – это свободный выбор свободного человека. Фашизм начинается тогда, когда убивают, избивают, унижают, ограничивают в правах тех, кто не похож не остальных, и все это под эгидой защиты «национальных ценностей». Уж кому как не нам, армянам, нации, пережившей Геноцид, это не знать.

*source: Armenia Today Приступы самоутверждения РПА и АРФД или «правильные парни» [RU]

[I recommend reading this article by Armenia Today re: ruling Republican party spokesman Eduard Sharmazanov and ARF Dashnaktsutyun MP Artsvik Minasyan (& more) who endorsed anti-gay attackers and encourage more violence towards LGBT people in Armenia. Read also: Terrorists as ‘national heroes’? Armenia ruling Republican party spokesman and MP explicitly support firebombers of DIY bar in capital Yerevan and encourage anti-gay attacks]