Powerful posters against sexual violence in Armenia and South Caucasus

These bold and powerful posters prepared by the Armenian group of the Young Women’s Network of the South Caucasus (see their Facebook page).

There are stereotypes and prejudices that contribute to the rooting within the society of an idea that the victim is to be blamed for sexual violence, rape or sexual harassment. Young Women’s Network of the South Caucasus aimed at exposing such common stereotypes by encouraging the public to fight against them. “There is no justification for sexual violence” - say Young Women’s Network members.

“Ապրիլ. Սեռական բռնության իրազեկման ամիս. 
Մեր իրականությունում կան կարծրատիպեր և նախապաշարմունքներ, որ նպաստում են հասարակության մեջ այն մտքի արմատավորմանը, որ սեռական բռնության զոհն է մեղավոր՝ բռնաբարության կամ սեռական բնույթի ոտնձգությունների ենթարկվելու համար: Երիտասարդ կանանց ցանցի անդամները բարձրաձայնում են Հայաստնում, Վրաստանում Աբխազիայում և Ադրբեջանում տարածված նմանատիպ կարծրատիպերի մասին՝ հորդորելու հասարակությանը պայքարել դրանց դեմ: 
Չկա արդարացում սեռական բռնության համար՝ բարձրաձայնում են Երիտասարդ կանանց ցանցի անդամները:”

Aregnazan or Magical World: queer, Armenian, futuristic video-animation - re-interpreting Ghazaros Aghayan fairytale (fundraising)

The Queering Yerevan Collective’s Indiegogo fundraising campaign is nearing its end, with only 6 days left at the time of this posting. It’s an experimental video project by Arpi Adamyan and Melissa Boyajian called AREGNAZAN OR MAGICAL WORLD. This is a unique collaboration between two outstanding artists from Yerevan and Boston respectively, who reconstruct and reinvent Armenian writer Ghazaros Aghayan’s fairytale, originally written in 1887, in a completely new way.

You can find out more about the project here: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/magical-world

Please, read artists' description below and make contribution to this queer, Armenian, futuristic video-animation, where the evil witch is replaced with an oligarch.


***
Aregnazan or Magical World is an adaptation of an Armenian epic fairytale by Ghazaros Aghayan. This olden day fairytale takes place near the base of Mount Ararat, a symbolic mountain to the Armenian people. The story begins with a father and his 3 children, 2 of which are beautiful girls. And the 3rd child, Aregnazan, was the most beautiful, but good spirits decided to hide the sex of Aregnazan until a day when it would need to be revealed for the greater good of the world. Aregnazan's father chooses to raise Aregnazan like his 2 daughter's, and dress them all in girl's clothes. However, Aregnazan disliked playing girl's games and learned how to ride a horse and use weapons. After the children grew up the father realized that there was future for them and that he must send 1 of his children out to fight for the king. He devises a test for them and disguises himself as a masked thief in an attempt to test the strength and will of his children. Aregnazan wins the test and leaves on a journey to save the king from a bear, defeat an evil witch who has imprisoned the citizens of the stone city, and save the ailing princess.

We are interested in adapting the story because of the unique representation of gender of Aregnazan within the story's beginning. However, the story remains very patriarchal and sexist in it's glorification of masculinity and lack of agency with the female characters. Aregnazan does not become a true hero in the story until completely transforming into a man. And of course the tropes of the sick princess, lovesick and waiting for her prince to save her as well as the wicked evil witch are also examples.

Our fantastical video animation is about Aregnazan's journey to self-discovery, redefining of traditions, love and revolution! Our piece is very important because it is offering an alternative narrative and representation of gender within Armenian culture! While our adaptation will still be following the journey of Aregnazan, Aregnazan's gender remains fluid throughout the story and will never become a man. Our version will also be reversing the roles of the weak female characters to be strong. The piece will make connections with socio-economic conditions of present day Armenia by replacing the evil witch with an oligarch, a symbol of the small very wealthy group of men that have monopolies on most of the resources of Armenia while a staggering portion of the population is unemployed. Some of the things Aregnazan encounters on their journey are a fight on a dangerous bridge, a meeting with a cyborg woman and a girl that can fly, and a revolutionary scene in the sleeping city!

The piece will not follow in a cut-and-dry filmic narrative fashion. The scenes contain performative actions between the characters that give reference to Armenian traditions and literature and reinterpret and queer their meanings. The performative gestures in some scenes can be likened to a choreographed dance of actions.  The video and animation will be layered together in post-production editing to make the already fantastical atmosphere even more stunning!

If you have not done so already, please visit our Indiegogo page and make a contribution to our project!

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/magical-world

#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.

“Brotherhood” - “Ախպերություն”

I was watching “Brotherhood” film (2009, dir. Nicolo Donato) the other day.

The storyline immediately resonated for me with the recent events in Yerevan surrounding firebombing of gay friendly DIY bar. “Brotherhood” is “Ախպերություն” in Armenian. Here is what this film is about:

Brotherhood explores what happens when you add same-sex attraction to the already volatile world of neo-Nazis. Dismissed from the army after allegedly making a pass at a fellow soldier, young Lars soon falls in with a gang of gay-bashing neo-Nazis. Although the group is initially wary of this new figure, Lars proves that he is a fast learner and rises quickly through the ranks while simultaneously developing closer bonds with the other members, especially the sexy Jimmy. It is soon apparent that the two are far more than 'blood brothers' and confronting these sexual longings threatens to jeopardise their very lives.  

They will resort to hate and violence to suppress their inner fears and desires. They will indulge in neo-Nazi crap so that to have at least some kind of 'aim' and 'meaning' in this life, to make themselves 'important'. Because of their own vulnerability, they will easily be manipulated by others. But the only outcome this inevitably leads to is self-destruction. It’s pretty tragic, in fact. For all the sides involved. And the society, as a whole. Sounds familiar?..

Read also:

Underage "fascists" employed for psychological terror towards DIY bar in Yerevan

Neo-nazi attack Diversity march in Armenia capital Yerevan calling it "gay pride"

Neo-nazi thugs indulge in same-sex 'action' as they attack Diversity march in Armenia capital

This piece by Sona Abgaryan “STANDART” (AM) posted on Գրողուցավ provides almost anatomical dissection of similar types in Armenia:

Quote (1): "Հետևող լռության մեջ հիշում եմ կոնսերվատիվ, բթամիտ ազգայնականին, որի համար կենդանի լինելը մեծ պատիվ կլիներ: Նա հրճվում է մարդկային ողբերգություններից և սնվում է արտաթորանքով: Նա խոսում է անցյալից, որովհետև դա նրա ներկան է: Նա թաքցնում է իրական պատճառները հայրենասիրական տեքստերի մեջ:"  

Quote (2): “Փողոցում հանդիպում են նաև երջանիկ մարդիկ, որոնք «Թոփ 10»-ի համար հաղորդագրություններ են ուղարկում և քվեարկում են լավագույն հայ երգչի օգտին: Նրանք չարացած ռոմանտիկներ են: Նրանք ասում են մի բան, մտածում են այլ բան, ուզում են մեկ այլ բան և անում են լրիվ ուրիշ մի բան: Անխիղճ լիբիդոն բռնել է նրանց կոկորդից և խեղդում է, սպառնում է ոչնչացնել ավանդույթները: Այդ պացիենտները ամենատարածվածն են մեր օրերում: Նրանք շատ են սիրում խոսել հայրենիքից, պատերազմից, շրթներկից, շորերի գներից, բոմժերից, գոմիկներից, ամուսնության գաղտնիքներից, խոհարարական հմտություններից, անբարոյականներից, սրբություններից, աղջիկների կուսաթաղանթից, ծովից-ծով Հայաստանից… Նրանց դիագնոզը դեռ պարզ չի, պայմանական նրանց ասում են երջանիկներ: Դա միակ հիվանդությունն է, որ պաշտոնապես համարվում է ընդունելի:”

Anatomy of violence, or Armenia MP (president of Football Federation) Ruben Hayrapetyan slaughterhouse

Military doctor severely beaten by bodyguards of Armenia MP, president of Football Federation Ruben Hayrapetyan (aka 'Nemets Rubo') has died on 29 June. [For background to this story, read: Unbearable cruelty of being of Armenia tycoon - turned MP - turned Football Federation president & his entourage]



Video above details some of the 'heroic' pages from the history of violence of disgraced Armenia MP, president of Football Federation, oligarch Ruben Hayrapetyan, nicknamed 'Nemets Rubo'.

Posting this video, Hetq Online reminds how 'Nemets Rubo' threatened and/or enacted violence towards journalists, drug addicts, and (more recently) gays. The author righty points out that after all the violent rhetoric and actions, there should be no surprise that we witnessed yet another violence, this time with more tragic consequences. [Ռուբեն Հայրապետյանը միշտ զգուշացրել է (վիդեո)]

To remind, following recent firebombing of gay friendly bar DIY in Yerevan, ‘Nemets Rubo‘ said he “condemns terrorism” but “in favour of punishing gays and ready to do it myself”. “We should think of another way of punishing to eradicate them from our society.”

Other high profile MPs from ruling Republican party who supported firebombers and encouraged anti-gay violence include vice-speaker of the Armenian parliament, spokesman of the ruling Republican party Eduard Sharmazanov, and MP, (now) secretary of Republican party parliamentary group Hovhannes Sahakyan. 
[I recommend reading Հոդված ատելության մասին by Sergey Danielyan too]

Last night, there was a candlelight vigil in Yerevan in memory of beating victim Vahe Avetyan. People gathered in front of the restaurant where the violence took place [Harsnaqar restaurant belongs to 'Nemets Rubo'] Many held 'I am Vahe Avetyan' posters condemning violence, calling for boycott of oligarch MP businesses and his resignation as MP and president of Football Federation.

Among protesters rightly condemning violence, I noticed two well known personalities who have their share of moral responsibility for this atmosphere of hatred and violence.

Armenian MP from the ARF Dashnaktsutyun party Armen Rostomyan said nothing when his colleagues from the ARF party, and in particular Artsvik Minasyan, Hrayr Karapetyan and Artur Aghabekyan supported firebombers and at least in case of Artsvik Minasyan (+ here) and Artur Aghabekyan openly encouraged anti-gay violence.

Larisa Alaverdyan, former MP and ex-Ombudsman, effectively sided with homophobes during TV programme discussing attacks towards gay friendly bar and Diversity march.




Below are two pictures from the candlelight vigil protest action via CivilNet and PanArmenian FB page.

*picture via CivilNet/Seda Grigoryan

*"Slaughterhouse" written on the wall of Harsnaqar restaurant, picture via PanArmenian/Hrant Khachatryan [Հանցաքար" և "Սպանդանոց" գրվեցին ռեստորանի պատերին]

Neo-nazi thugs indulge in same-sex 'action' as they attack Diversity march in Armenia capital

Here we are. Some say this looks more like a picture from 'Nazi Pride Parade'. In reality, they are neo-nazi thugs who attacked Diversity march in Yerevan in an organised provocation.

[For background, read: Neo-nazi attack Diversity march in Armenia capital Yerevan calling it "gay pride"]


*picture was found on FB.

Holding hands: Azeri policemen in 'action' - Picture of the Day from Baku

*source: Gay.az, picture by Mehman Huseynov [Бакинская полиция (Police) ходит под ручку друг с другом (ФОТО)]

When I saw this picture, it instantly reminded me the ones with the Armenian police I posted two years ago. The circumstances were slightly different, but the overall result was equally hilarious. [for more - Armenia police 'in action']

*picture by © PanARMENIAN Photo/ Davit Hakobyan

How PR reps failed Yerevan mayor with a bouquet of abusive, homophobic language

Here we are. The faces of ‘PR-machine’ for Yerevan mayor. Or its spectacular failure in the most abusive, cheap and homophobic fashion possible. These screenshots, widely distributed in the Armenian section of Facebook, resulted in a storm of reaction by FB users.

To put it short, PR reps and some employees for the mayor office in Yerevan use nauseating, cheap, homophobic language to ‘counter-attack’ the arguments of environmental activists and other concerned Yerevan (and not only) residents.

*Arthur Sarukhanyan is a PR rep for Yerevan mayor office. He and his colleagues are marked in red. All 'conversation' was taken place on mayor Taron Margaryan FB page. (source: PanArmenian.net FB page)

*More - via PanArmenian.net FB page

*More - via Մեր Քաղաքը FB page

Below is just a small portion of their vocabulary [more - on screenshots above (AM)]:

“հորթ” (‘calf’); “Գոմ-այգի” (play of words, referring to cruising park in downtown Yerevan, by using homophobic language); “պոչիկով” (homophobic reference to men who considered gay if they have long hair)... abundance of other abusive, violent language and references to all those activists and residents who disagree with them and fight to preserve the remaining green spaces in Armenian capital.

These employees for Yerevan mayor Taron Margaryan not only suck in their job of PR, but in fact ensured the best possible anti-PR.

There is no place for such people in any state, public or related jobs. Not even close.

They suck big time. And they should get sacked.

Homoerotic photo-exhibit of Turkish wrestlers “Ottoman Fight Club” in London

I missed this exhibit in London but below are selected pics (& quotes) of Jamie McLeod’s mainly black and white portraits of Turkish wrestlers “Ottoman Fight Club”. (via Dalston Superstore and Jamie McLeod)

This exhibit was Time Out London “critics’ choice” for gay-themed events last week.

***
“I was interested in portraits and capturing the character and not documenting the actual sport.” comments McLeod.

“These images are not mere homoerotic fantasy pictures in the vein of Bruce Weber but an in-depth study of Turkish ethnicity and male sexuality through the body. “I’m interested in the sensuality of the male physique and the mystery of the face, and the hidden surprise behind the eyes” McLeod says. “I’m also fascinated by civilization and heritage. In Turkey you will find the classic Arabic-type face, Ottoman, Asiatic, Kurdish, Gypsy, Greek, Roman, Jewish and Georgian-type faces – all of which encompass the country’s rich and diverse cultural and heritage. Turkey is the stepping-stone between Eastern Europe, Asia and the Middle East so there is a strong mix of all these people.”

[Unzipped: Gay Armenia - I wonder if the artist is actually able to discern between all these “face types” and if he has any perception of “Armenian-type face” :)]

“It is not possible to discern what era these photographs were taken, as there is no reference to the modern day world, the photographs look and feel as if they could have been taken anytime over the last 100 years. McLeod is also enchanted by how brutal and beautiful they are –with their cast of non-classical semi-nudes captured like the warriors and heroes that McLeod believes them to be.

[...] The way Turkish men and boys interact with each other, massaging and caressing and laying together resting after the games and before fights. Male tenderness between each other is common in the Middle East and, quite often, it is only an expression of brotherly love – but it is something men in the west are scared to express without being labelled homosexual, McLeod believes.

“When Westerners see my photos they normally ask me if this is a gay festival and I laugh and say, sadly, no. It’s amazing to think just because men can express open affection towards each other through the way we would normally express it in heterosexuality, we conclude they are homosexual of which most of them are not. However the issue of sexuality in Turkey and the Middle East remains complicated.”

Yerevan Diaries: "Mrutt utem" :)

Oh, how did I miss this. Walking the streets of Yerevan and overhearing one Armenian macho guy telling another: "Mrutt utem". Sweet! And very masculine, indeed. Macho society in action :)

Lesbian couple at first 'Kiss Party' in Tbilisi

© фото : Александр Имедашвили, NEWSGEORGIA

I wonder how people would have reacted if there was gay male couple kissing there, although based on the crowd gathered at this particular night club in Tbilisi, it seemed like a gay friendly venue in general.

What captured my attention more, however, that NewsGeorgia that originally reported the news (RU) put "female couple" within quotation marks as if they do not consider them like a normal "couple"...

Первый в Грузии конкурс поцелуев Kiss Party состоялся в тбилисском клубе Club Night. Конкурс продолжался несколько часов, в нем приняли участие шесть пар. Особый ажиотаж вызвало участие "женской пары" из двух девушек. Выиграла конкурс молодая пара - парень и девушка, жители Тбилиси, которые целовались без остановки на протяжении трех часов и десяти минут. В качестве приза пара получила недельную туристическую путевку в Турцию на двоих. Организатором конкурса выступили Club Night и компания Tiflis Tourism.

*Thanks to Tert.am for the link.

My Yerevan. The way I see and like it. Or... to Yerevan with love

Must-must read. Absofu**inglutely awesome post by Adrineh. I can 100% associate myself to what she wrote about MY Yerevan too.

Essential reading.

Selected extracts below. Full post: Ode to Yerevan Nights
***

I had forgotten. I had forgotten how this city changes at night. How the expression “as different as night and day” takes on new meaning in the Armenian capital. And I have missed it. Oh, how I have missed you, dear Yerevan night.

Walking the streets of this city at night, you see the queers, the foreigners, the misfits. If you never went out at night, you would think that Yerevan is “proper” Armenian girls, young boys laughing in groups, schoolchildren, and older women buying produce, while [...] men in groups in dark-colored clothing talking politics in the park. [...]

But it is a night — even better, late at night —, when the “proper” Armenian girls have gone home (after all, they’re not allowed to stay out past midnight), when the young men with their flashy cars have possibly retired for the evening, and when families are fast asleep, that Yerevan wakes up and shows you the possibilities of what this city can be.

I hear more languages at night than I do during the day. I see people I didn’t know live here, doing things I didn’t know people in Yerevan do. I see all manners of people being accepted because the night is different: it allows for certain freedoms (most likely aided by certain amounts of alcohol) that would simply be frowned upon during the day.

Of course, it’s not all rose-coloured glasses: the stereotypes and the conservative opinions are still there, but I suppose they’re not felt as much, or perhaps they simply lose their potency at night. [...]

This might sound odd, but Yerevan at night reminded me I’m queer. And that I love my queer brothers and sisters. In the past couple of nights, I met many more new misfits and came to the following revelation:

The ratio of queers to straights in Yerevan is probably higher than in Toronto, and maybe even London and New York.

You might find this hard to believe, but trust me: just come to Yerevan. And go out at night. Yerevan is a small city compared to many other capital cities around the world, but it has an infinite amount of possibilities. [...]

Yerevan at night reminded me why I love this city and its people, and brought to mind this quote:

“With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.”

Reincarnation: 'Sirunik es'

Hilarious :)))

*thanks to Lara for the link

Study: Homophobia is associated with... homosexual arousal

What we all knew based on anecdotal evidence - that the most homophobic people could be in fact ‘repressed’ homosexuals - has its scientific proof. With all its limitations, this study from mid-90s published by the American Psychological Association provides conclusions that all homophobes out there will - without doubts - be ‘thrilled’ to know.

Is Homophobia Associated With Homosexual Arousal?

(access to full research paper)

The authors investigated the role of homosexual arousal in exclusively heterosexual men who admitted negative affect toward homosexual individuals. Participants consisted of a group of homophobic men (n = 35) and a group of nonhomophobic men (n = 29); they were assigned to groups on the basis of their scores on the Index of Homophobia (W. W. Hudson & W. A. Ricketts, 1980).

The men were exposed to sexually explicit erotic stimuli consisting of heterosexual, male homosexual, and lesbian videotapes, and changes in penile circumference were monitored. They also completed an Aggression Questionnaire (A. H. Buss & M. Perry, 1992). Both groups exhibited increases in penile circumference to the heterosexual and female homosexual videos. Only the homophobic men showed an increase in penile erection to male homosexual stimuli. The groups did not differ in aggression. Homophobia is apparently associated with homosexual arousal that the homophobic individual is either unaware of or denies.

Armenia police 'in action'

How sweet, Mr. Alik Sargsyan... Yerevan's answer to Brokeback Mountain. In public. Out and proud. Who knew? ;)

*pictures by © PanARMENIAN Photo/ Davit Hakobyan

Re Armenian macho, umm... sorry, ‘metrosexual’ (!), men

Statistics of the Day: 70% of all Sergei Zverev Beauty Salon clients in Yerevan are men, as per director Marina Arakelyan.

"Men are paying more attention to themselves. As sad as this may sound, but men pay greater attention to their appearance, take care of their hands", she said.

«Мужчины больше уделяют себе внимание. Как бы это ни прискорбно прозвучало, но мужчины с большим вниманием следят за своей внешностью, ухаживают за руками», -пояснила она.

According to the director, this is due to self-sufficiency of men: "Our experience shows that men are more self-sufficient. They do make a living, handle money. In fact, not every woman in Armenia works; they are financially dependent on men.”

По мнению директора, это обусловлено самодостаточностью мужчин.

«Прозвучит это приятно или нет, но практика показывает, что мужчины более самодостаточны. Они сами зарабатывают на жизнь, могут распоряжаться деньгами. По сути, не каждая женщина в Армении работает, она финансово зависима от мужчины. Выдаст муж ей средства или нет, куда пойдет и где потратит - для нее это дилемма», - сказала Аракелян.

*picture - Yerevan, Armenia, winter 2008

Armenia: Hate crime or... Hraparak?

Yesterday A1+ reported on an incident at the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography: one of the students there - Karlen Abrahamyan - was severely beaten by few fellow students for allegedly girl-involved incident (you know, Karlen made remarks about one girl, and in a typical macho related 'traditional' fashion he got beaten, and pretty severely).

«Ա1+»-ն այսօր ահազանգ է ստացել, որ Երեւանի կինոյի եւ թատրոնի պետական ինստիտուտի (ԵԿԹՊԻ) դերասանառեժիսուրական բաժնի 1-ին կուրսի ուսանող Կառլեն Աբրահամյանը դաժան ծեծի է ենթարկվել:
Մեզ հայտնած տեղեկություններով` Կառլեն Աբրահամյանին ծեծի են ենթարկել նրա համակուրսեցիները` մի աղջկա պատճառով: Ծեծված տղային ուշագնաց վիճակում տեղափոխել են «Գրիգոր Լուսավորիչ» բժշկական կենտրոն:
ՀՀ Ոստիկանության լրատվության վարչությունից մեզ տեղեկացրին, որ իսկապես նման դեպք տեղի է ունեցել: Կառլեն Աբրահամյանն ինստիտուտում ծեծի է ենթարկվել մարտի 10-ին ժամը 14:00-ին: Նրան ծեծել են նույն ինստիտուտի ուսանողներ Նարեկ Խ.-ն, Տիգրան Մ.-ն եւ ոմն Հունան:
Ոստիկանությունից հայտնեցին, որ Նարեկ Խ.-ն բերման է ենթարկվել ոստիկանության բաժանմունք, Տիգրան Մ.-ն անձամբ է ներկայացել, իսկ Հունանի անձը պարզելու եւ հայտնաբերելու ուղղությամբ ձեռնարկվել են միջոցառումներ: Այս պահին կատարվում է նախաքննություն:
«Գրիգոր Լուսավորիչ» բժշկական կենտրոնի վերակենդանացման բաժնի պետ Գագիկ Մանուկյանն էլ մեզ հետ զրույցում նշեց, որ Կառլեն Աբրահամյանը իրենց մոտ է տեղափոխվել գանգուղեղային տրավմայով: «Հիմա նա գիտակցության էլեմենտ ունի, սակայն նրա մոտ նկատվում է հետտրավմատիկ փսիխոզ, այսինքն` տրավմայից հետո հոգեկան խանգարում: Այժմ սպասում ենք հոգեբույժին, որ գա, կոնսուլտացիա անի, որպեսզի հասկանանք, թե հետագայում ինչ ենք անելու»,- ասաց բժիշկը:

Today Hraparak daily published its 'version' of the incident. According to the newspaper, Karlen is THE guy known in Armenian virtual world as D'orian. And as per Hraparak, the reason for beating was "fight against homosexuals". Well, they mentioned that there is another version of the story involving girl but they made it sound as a secondary version, and headlined the story as 'D'orian was severely beaten' because of ‘advocating freedom of homosexuality’.

According to the reports, Karlen Abrahamyan is in the hospital with craniocerebral (brain) injury.

Whether this was a homophobia related hate crime or not, I do not know, can't be 100% certain until we learn more details. However, most sources so far indicate that it was a girl- involved incident as described by A1+ (above) which is still deplorable, of course.

However, knowing Hraparak's sensationalist and unreliable journalism, unless other sources confirm, I tend not to trust Hraparak. After all, there are reasons why that newspaper is in Homophobia Hall of Shame.

And about D'orian. He is a writer who came under the spotlight when awarded a literary prize by Armenian Ankakh weekly for a gay themed novel. Since then, some in Armenia lost their sleep trying to uncover the identity of a person writing under the pseudonym D'orian. And Hraparak among them. Well, apparently, a disappointing day for Hraparak. As D’orian himself mentioned on his Facebook page, he is not studying at the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography. His name is not Karlen. In fact, he seemed to be feeling surprisingly well for a person who is “in hospital with cerebrocranial injury”. After reading ‘news’ about himself, he went out to buy a copy of Hraparak so that he will ‘enjoy’ it in full: “գնաց "Հրապարակը" առնելու, որ մի հատ ֆուլով կարդա, թե ոնց են իրան ծեծել...” So much about the reliability of Hraparak. Not that we needed any proof.

On a more serious note, I do hope the law enforcement agencies in Yerevan will conduct a thorough investigation, and those responsible for this act of physical violence, regardless of the reasons, will not escape justice.

Caucasus: Society, sex and the dating game

I recommend reading this roundup of selected blog posts from the South Caucasus related to societal attitudes to sex, gender, sexuality...

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, hopes that new freedoms would quickly replace the old have often been dashed by the re-emergence of patriarchal, conservative and traditional practices. Largely kept suppressed by the communist system, and exaggerated by the exodus of many who might have formed the middle classes during the economic collapse of the 1990s, gender and issues of sexuality were particularly affected.

True, homosexuality has been decriminalized, although homophobia remains a significant problem, and new freedoms might have “liberated” a minority of citizens in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, but sexuality remains a contentious issue for society as a whole. [...]

Read more on Global Voices Online

British rugby legend Gareth Thomas comes out: "I'm gay"

Sport still remains a place where you could hardly find an openly gay sportsman. This is especially true in a more macho-like sports, like rugby (“'It is the toughest, most macho of male sports, and with that comes an image” - Gareth Thomas) or football etc.

Time is slowly but changing, and today’s news that British rugby legend Gareth Thomas comes out publicly about being gay is truly a remarkable one. In a candid interview with Daily Mail, Gareth explains why he made such a decision now, and his struggle in coming to terms with his sexuality. Apparently, he did come out to his wife and friends (team-mates) in 2006, and according to some reports, it was an open secret in the Wales for quite some time, but only today Gareth Thomas decided to come out in public.

I am sure, many of you would recognise yourself in emotions and feelings Gareth reveals, like I did. I highly recommend reading this headlining story in full. Below are few selected quotes.
***
Today, however, he has taken the remarkable decision to go public. It's his choice. No one has forced his hand.

He just feels attitudes have changed and the time is right for sport to start accepting openly gay people in the same way other professions have in recent years.
***
That secret, which he'd kept hidden his entire career, was - he admits now - 'like a tight knot in my stomach, always threatening to seep out'.

He says: 'I was like a ticking bomb. I thought I could suppress it, keep it locked away in some dark corner of myself, but I couldn't.

'It was who I was, and I just couldn't ignore it any more.
***
He says he feels like a teenager again, re-living his youth, discovering who he really is.

He hopes, now that he has gone public, he can still go out with male friends without people assuming he's with a lover.

'Just because you are gay, doesn't mean you fancy every man who walks the planet,' he says.

'I don't want to be known as a gay rugby player. I am a rugby player first and foremost. I am a man.

'I just happen to be gay. It's irrelevant. What I choose to do when I close the door at home has nothing to do with what I have achieved in rugby.

'It's pretty tough for me being the only international rugby player prepared to break the taboo.

'Statistically I can't be the only one, but I'm not aware of any other gay player still in the game.

'I'd love for it, in ten years' time, not to even be an issue in sport, and for people to say: "So what?" '
***
'It's been really tough for me, hiding who I really am, and I don't want it to be like that for the next young person who wants to play rugby, or some frightened young kid.

'I don't know if my life is going to be easier because I'm out, but if it helps someone else, if it makes one young lad pick up the phone to ChildLine, then it will have been worth it.

'My parents, my family and my friends all love me and accept me for who I am, and even if the public are upset by this, I know the love of those people who mean the most to me will never change.

'I'm not going on a crusade, but I'm proud of who I am. I feel I have achieved everything I could ever possibly have hoped to achieve out of rugby, and I did it being gay.

'I want to send a positive message to other gay people that they can do it, too.'

*picture - via Attitude

Video: 'Male striptease in the Russian army barracks' ;)

Via Towleroad, I came across this YouTube video, which was reportedly made in the Russian army barracks. According to the video description, "What real men do when they are in the army? Dance for each other." Lovely ;)