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
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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]

Armenian lesbian matchmaker to the straights kicks off season 2 with a serious message

Very special first episode of season 2 by Lousine Shamamian, Armenian lesbian matchmaker to the straights: “Dedicated to all people who have been judged, victimised or rejected for their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

The day for firsts is here. Sonya's first wool beating and Lousine's first entirely honest conversation with her mother.

Big part of the episode is in Armenian (with English subtitles). Must watch.


For the very first episode of Lousine's hilarious show - see here.

Love x

Lousine: Armenian lesbian matchmaker to the straights

This is hilarious. I am hooked.

Look forward to more episodes.


*Thanks to N.A. for the link

#funnysad : “No Cross-Dressing Comedians Please, We're Azerbaijani”

Even in the former Soviet Union cross-dressing for comical purposes, comedy sketches was considered pretty acceptable and widely used.

In independent Azerbaijan, like in other post-Soviet states, including Armenia, cross-dressing is still used by some of the most popular comedians, actors, performers.

RFE/RL report suggests, however, that at least for one Azeri MP & co this is no longer considered as ‘funny’ (regardless of the context) .

Dressing up as women is something of a stock in trade for Azerbaijani comedians Rafael and Cosqun. But the double act has run into trouble over an advertisement for a major mobile-phone operator in which the two men don blond and brunette wigs twinned with white and black dresses. The advertisement for Azercell appeared on billboards across Baku and on television. [...] But not everyone was amused. Parliament member Fazil Mustafa sharply criticized the actors' cross-dressing, labeling it as contradictory to the Azerbaijani mentality, and last month called on the Baku City Executive Office to take down the billboards.

*picture via RFE/RL

If I understood right from this Wikipedia article (AZ), he is a member of parliamentary human rights committee (! - not that I have any illusion re what ‘human rights’ committee in Azeri parliament could possibly represent) and member of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE. He is also a member of the “Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe” (no comment, indeed). 

I suppose, as long as cross-dressing appeared as part of parody or comedy sketch shows, it was considered for him & co as something of an ‘entertainment only’, 'safe', something to laugh-off. But seeing this on billboards, up-your-face, or as part of ads entering into daily life (routine!) signalled some kind of ‘threat to masculinity’ and apparently 'national mentality'.

I like the mobile phone company response: “The company has investigated and established that there are no laws that would forbid male actors in women's clothing from promoting a company. The 'Azercell' advertisement contained no embarrassing elements and nothing that would cause psychological stress or spoil people's moral atmosphere."

Truly, a comedy. #funnysad

The ads were since halted and billboards taken down, reports RFE/RL.



*Thanks to O.K. for the link.

How Turkish TV prevented ‘gay epidemics’ in the country - and how cartoons make fun of it

Cartoon magazines are pretty common and popular in Turkey. They sell well and reportedly have quite progressive role in tackling various taboo or sensitive subjects, making fun of conservative circles or media.

‎"We were about to become "gay", says this cartoon from popular Turkish magazine "Uykusuz" and continues:

“Thank you ATV [National Turkish TV broadcast]" 

ATV beeped (censored) the word "gay" while a character says "I am gay" in a popular Turkish film "Hunting Season".

*Many thanks to FB friend of mine E.Y. for the info provided.

Armenian parents response to New York gay marriages :)

As you may know, New York is gearing up for their first legal gay marriages.

Thanks to @writepudding, I got this link to The New York Times Special Issue on Gay Marriage.

There was this story there that tells of parents of gay children pushing for gay marriage.

With same-sex marriage now legal in New York, some gay sons and daughters are starting to feel the same heat from parents as do their straight siblings.

...and I started imagining what the Armenian parent would do in the similar circumstances: pushing for marriage of their gay children, fixing 'accidental' date meetings, say, for their son with a son of their friend etc. :))

"տղա ջան, տունն ես մնացել, այդքան լավ տղերք կան մեր շրջապատում, մեկին չես կարում ճարել"

And thanks to Bella, I got reminded of this hilarious anecdote (AM) - not new but still too funny and very relevant - that I have to share with you:

Էդ անեկդոտը գիտես չէ, որ երկու սփյուռքահայ կին հանդիպում են, պարզվում ա, որ մեկի տղան տղայի հետ ա ամուսնացել, մյուսը ասում ա, - «Գոնե հայ ա» ?

Ukraine: 'Sex and the City', or 'Секс в ПГТ'

For all SATC fans out there. But you have to know Russian to get it. Here we are. Ukrainian response to 'Sex and the City' - 'Секс в ПГТ'. Too funny :)))



*thanks to Angela for the link.

How to prevent your child from catching Gay? Here is century old Armenian recipe :)

"Have Gay?"
Abo & Karo's mom tries to keep them warm so they don't catch gay.
Created by artist/animator Hayk Manukyan.

Too funny :)))

*thanks to Lena for the link

Reincarnation: 'Sirunik es'

Hilarious :)))

*thanks to Lara for the link

Eva Rivas on a mission to promote UK government’s 5-a-day healthy eating target (Eurovison fans)

Let’s see what Eurovision fans are discussing re Armenia entry this year. Below are just few of my picks which made me smile.

One of the frequently discussed topics about Eva Rivas: “how tall is she?”. Predictable, yes. But the curiosity of Eurovision fans doesn’t stop here. They also wonder: “Is she a human?”

“Has anyone seen Eva Rivas's birth certificate? Is she really a woman?”

“She's actually two women put on top of each other :)”

“Once more. Shes an Avatar :)”

Apricot Stone, well, apricots to be precise, inspired an exchange by health conscious fans.

“Just assume Armenia wins... are we going to have a whole bunch of songs about Fruits next year? Perhaps a Healthy ESC-week with fives-a-day :D?”

“Probably Azerbaijan will withdraw,pretending to be on the vegetable side :p"

Here I disagree. 5-a-day target of healthy eating by the UK government implies peaceful coexistence and consumption of both fruits and vegetables :)

Good luck, Eva! And wish you all have fun time tonight. It's the second semi-final, afterwards. Excitement :)

Brokeback... Karlson ;)

...like you never seen it before ;)



*via sunshine.by and gay.ru

Almost like in Armenia (ancient or contemporary), some would say ;)

Hilarious episode of Saturday Night Live, with Gerard Butler.



*thanks to George for the link.

"Nasha Russia"

*as part of the Russian Fashion Week, there was a 'anti-glamour' showcase by a popular Russian TV show "Nasha Russia" (via gay.by, via adensya.ru)

Телеканал ТНТ устроил в рамках RFW антигламурный показ: на подиум вышли жена олигарха в период кризиса, гаишник с жезлоимитатором, футболист российской сборной, а также усатая невеста. Пародийный показ вызвал даже больший ажиотаж, чем проходившие в соседних залах дефиле известных дизайнеров.

Yerevan diaries: Inside the toilet :)

Spotted inside the toilet at a popular venue in downtown Yerevan :) You have to know Russian to get it.

Police Pride Parade blows downtown Yerevan

This is so hilarious that I could not resist not X-posting it here. Read it, you will not regret it :)))

 

Source: Armenian Comedy

 

http://armcomedy.com/2009/09/07/police-pride-parade-blows-downtown-yerevan/

 

By Sergey

 

'We are police and proud of it!'

Mashtots avenue in downtown Yerevan was covered with marching traffic police officers late Friday celebrating their liberties and chanting slogans "give police a chance," "pull over, now" among others.

Armenian police have been under severe social denial for the past few decades, but as more liberal moods begin to awake in newly independent Armenia, more police officers disband the veil of shyness and publicly exhibit their identity to the nation.

"I'm proud to be who I am and I don't care what people think. Public opinion does not decide my personal choices," says one of the marchers, captain Abgar Popikyan walking in vanguard of the parade. "At first I was humbled to reveal my identity to family and friends, but it's just not right to deny it. Yes, world, I'm a policeman and you have to accept me the way I am!," claims Popikyan.

Hundreds of traffic and patrol officers wearing shiny police uniform were approaching puzzled drivers and giving out roses and candies. Traffic was paralyzed on Mashtots and Tumanyan intersection for a few hours as officers, singing "We shall overcome" approached their ultimate destination near Northern Avenue where they united around a podium to declare police emancipation.

Chief of Traffic Police Pipinyan made the long-expected announcement at the culmination of the event: "My dear colleagues, my heart shivers as I see you gathered here… several generations of our officers have cherished the dream of this day, when we can proudly raise our head in Yerevan and say I am an Armenian traffic police officer and I am proud of what I am!" Pipinyan remained unashamed of dripping tears and continued: "I believe our kind has suffered the most from unhealthy criticism of cruel society.. I mean.. This is a day of big joy when we can say.. we are free! Fee at last.. free at last."

Conservatives denounce police pride parade as non-Armenian

The parade was gloomed the next day as some conservative forces stepped in to denounce the emotional movement. One of chief Dashnaks Giro Manoyan slammed the parade in a press conference: "It is not natural for a man to be a police officer. Especially for Armenian men. I am surprised that the mayor's office sanctioned the march."

It later was clarified by the mayor that police actually are entitled to freedom of expression under current legislation. Mayor Sevoyan told our reporter Sergey Sargsyan in a private interview: "It's not my decision and the resentful conservatives should not blame me. We are now a part of the European council and the Europeans insist that we should allow for police officers to express their identity among others."

Incidentally, head of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Armenia (GLAA) Ashot Pavlikyan called the parade "disgusting" and "shameful" for a country like Armenia. "We are a proud nation and as much as we like European values, we should not go beyond limits… I mean, Police Pride Parade.. this is just disgraceful and unnatural. Why don't they just indulge in being police at home away from innocent eyes. There are kids watching them in the streets, for Chrissake…" said indignant activist.

Armenians do ‘Gaydar’ with La Coacha

Here is La Coacha doing ‘Gaydar’ as a parody of Britney Spears’ ‘Radar’. What is the most amusing for me in relation to this video is a prominent involvement of Armenians there.

Lead actor: Aram Kirakosian
Cinematographer: Armen Soudjian
Original music: Saro Koujakian
There are other Armenians under “Special Thanks” too.



*thanks to H.V. for the link

LGBT cartoons

*source: LGBT cartoons (thanks to lgbtusa.net & lgbtuniverse.net for the link)

‘Breaking news’: Gay military parade in downtown Tbilisi, Georgia

OK-OK. Not quite yet. It is Georgian ‘Onion News’ making fun of Georgian homophobes and their false patriotism.

There is this website called Ni2 News (ni2 (“niori”) in Georgian means “garlic”). Group of authors reflect on current news and make their very own ‘fake news’/satire, a Georgian version of ‘Onion News’. It is really funny.

This particular ‘breaking news’ relates to the recent NATO led exercises in Georgia widely opposed by Russia. The news says that after NATO trainings finished Israeli army expressed interest to train their Georgian peers. As we know, it is possible in Israeli army to be openly gay. So this time a gay unit called "SodGom" will come to Georgia to train Georgian army. After training is over, they will parade on Rustaveli avenue (the main street in Tbilisi). Georgia is happy with this decision because it increases defence capacity and simultaneously brings itself closer to the EU with this show of respect to the rights of sexual minorities.

With this post, Ni2 News reflects upon recent homophobic statements and actions in Georgia (and anti gay pride march hysteria), particularly those from Church connected far right orthodox groups. The ‘news’ item plays with the fact that due to traditional Georgian hospitality they will not dare to bully foreign (guest) soldiers. They won't have enough balls to go and fight one of the best armies in the world, and they won't endanger the military partnership with the West. So they have to suck up to the gay march on the main street of their country. :)

Hilarious. One of their previous ‘news’ was about Carl Lagerfeld getting a contract from Georgian church to update their outfits.

*Thanks to Paata and Saba for info and translation.
**photo - via Ni2 News

Cross-dressing Georgian pop star Anri Jokhadze lampoons 'Happy Nation' of Georgia

This is simply hilarious.



Via This is Tbilisi Calling:

“Is there a nation as happy as ours?”

Sometimes it takes a supreme pop satirist to sum up a twisted situation in a suitably surreal way. Now, the past two gruelling months of confrontation between opposition and government in Georgia have been encapsulated in a hilarious pop video by singer Anri Jokhadze.

Taking as its theme a phrase from nineteenth-century Georgian poet-hero Ilia Chavchavadze, the Happy Nation video lampoons President Mikheil Saakashvili, his opponents, and various other Georgian celebrities, as well as satirising well-known Georgian pop-propaganda videos.

Anyone who’s familiar with the drama that’s been playing itself out on the streets in Tbilisi in recent weeks should take time out to watch. The final frames – if you get the references – are truly tragic-comic.
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There is more about Anri Jokhadze on Gay Caucasus (in Russian).

What about gay marriage?

Check out this satire! :)