Australian Armenian same-sex marriage supporter Gladys Berejiklian appointed Premier of Australia’s most populous state

*picture - via FAIRFAX/Huffington Post

Australian Armenian Gladys Berejiklian was appointed Premier of Australia’s most populous New South Wales state (with capital Sydney). What makes this appointment a particularly good news for me is her support for marriage equality and LGBT community.

According to ABC, “She is a private woman who supports same-sex marriage, is compassionate towards the plight of refugees and helped sign off on the Government's signature infrastructure projects.”

Interestingly, Australian media specifically mentions that her support for same-sex marriage is “at odds with her Armenian Orthodox Church”.

In an interview with local media in 2015, Gladys Berejiklian said people had strong views about marriage equality but believed most people on the north shore would support a change in the law.

“I get a sense that as far as my electorate’s concerned that the majority — while I do know there are people who don’t support it and I want to acknowledge they’ve got a right to express those views — I would think the silent majority would support it, I personally do,” she said.

Australian Marriage Equality (AME) and Australians for Equality (A4E) today welcomed the support of the new NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian for marriage equality.

“We congratulate Gladys Berejiklian on becoming Premier of NSW and thank her for her support for marriage equality and the LGBT community,” Australian Marriage Equality Co-Chair, Alex Greenwich said. 

“Premier Berejiklian joins a growing number of Liberal Party leaders who support marriage equality, including Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgeman.”

From her bio on Wikipedia: “Berejiklian was born in Sydney, the eldest of three daughters born to Armenian immigrant parents, Krikor and Arsha. Her grandparents were orphaned in the Armenian Genocide in 1915. Berejiklian spoke only Armenian until she was five years old, when she began learning English.”

“Berejiklian became the second woman to hold the office of Premier, after Labor's Kristina Keneally, who served in the position from 2009 to 2011, and the first female Liberal Premier in Australia.”

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.

New draft of Armenia Constitution effectively bans same-sex marriage

Armenia’s (current) Constitution in many aspects (not all) is pretty progressive. Of course, having the Constitution full with progressive ideas does not mean that they are being implemented.

Now that Armenia president is moving towards the end of his second (and final) consecutive terms, ruling regime is finding ways to keep him in power even if not directly, and to ensure that Armenia is governed by Republican party in the foreseeable future. And here we are, we have this recently circulated new version of the Constitution to be approved by the parliament and then via national referendum.

Not only this new version of the Constitution is pretty dangerous in terms of turning Armenia into seemingly parliamentary but in reality autocratic country, but it contains further limitations of freedoms and rights, including LGBT related.

While current Constitution is way ahead of many other European constitutions by effectively allowing possibility of same-sex marriage (not that it was implemented, but at least there was no limitation), new draft with subtle changes in wording re-defines marriage as between man and woman.

In its latest newsletter, PINK Armenia circulated translated summary of these limiting provisions. One more reason, why there should be a firm NO to this draft Constitution.

On July 15, a state commission formed by President Serzh Sargsyan on publicized its draft constitutional amendments envisaging Armenia’s transformation into a parliamentary republic with a largely ceremonial head of state not elected by popular vote.

Under the new Constitution, the president of the republic will be elected by an electoral college consisting of National Assembly members and representatives of local government bodies. It is widely believed that President Sargsyan has initiated the reform to be able to stay in power in some other capacity after completing his second and final presidential term in 2018.

Lawmakers discussing plans to amend Armenia's constitution back in 2005 expressed broad support for a ban on same-sex marriages. 10 years later we still witness the same intention. The Constitutional amendments refer to changes for the freedom of marriage.

Article 35 of the (current) Constitution of The Republic of Armenia states: Men and women of marriageable age have the right to marry and found a family according to their free will. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and divorce.

Article 34, in contrast, according to the amendments, states: Men and women of marriageable age have the right to marry with each other and found a family according to their free will. Thus, the new Constitution is limiting the freedom of marriage to opposite sex, Armenia is to join the countries who have a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

The draft Constitution is expected to be completed by early August. Subsequently, the draft shall be submitted to the President. If approved, it will be introduced to the National Assembly, and then a Referendum Day will be set.

Georgia PM’s EU trick: ‘OK for LGBT inclusive anti-discrimination bill, but only if we discriminate more, constitutionally’

Georgia's PM offers setting constitutional ban on same-sex marriage as a trade-off for passing LGBT inclusive anti-discrimination bill. Basically, on one hand, the authorities in Tbilisi are showing-off with anti-discrimination bill to tick all the EU check boxes, on the other hand, in practice, constitutionally reinforcing the very discrimination they (supposedly) committed to tackle.

In parallel to endorsing an anti-discrimination bill, which will now be submitted to Parliament for confirmation, the Georgian government has also proposed to define marriage in the constitution as a “union of man and woman.” The proposal, as PM Irakli Garibashvili put it, aims at avoiding “speculation” over the planned anti-discrimination legislation, which will provide protection against discrimination on the ground of, among others, sexual orientation. Adoption of this legislation is among requirements set in Georgia’s Visa Liberalisation Action Plan with the EU. Article 36 of the Georgian constitution currently reads: “Marriage shall be based upon equality of rights and free will of spouses.” Same-sex marriage is already banned in Georgia’s civil code, which defines marriage as “voluntary union of man and woman.”

For the European Union to accept the proposed ‘solution’ would make a mockery of the very idea of anti-discrimination legislation they are trying to enforce. This would be a dangerous precedent, indeed. What is a point of anti-discrimination bill if as a result of its approval you are getting discrimination constitutionally reinforced?! I’d say better not have such legislation at all.

If Georgia is not ready yet to move closer towards the EU, then it's not ready. The EU should never agree with such artificial and unacceptable trade-off, which is nothing less than throwing dust in the eyes.

As Georgian gay rights group Identoba noted, the country is on a “dangerous path” with proposed homophobic amendment in the constitution.

[…] Campaigning on  xenophobic and recently, on homophobic grounds has been a strategy of choice for most political players in the country, since it gained independence in the 1990s. The initiative came as  shock to many, since the issue of same-sex marriage has never come to the agenda of LGBT movement in Georgia which has struggled to exercise basic rights to security and protection. In 2012 and in 2013, under UNM and GD parties being in power, respectively, Georgia has consistently failed to ensure the freedom of assembly for Georgian LGBT activists. Georgia has not been able to persecute a single person for the horrific attacks against LGBT activists and supporters on  May 17th, IDAHO day. Therefore, constitutionally banning the prospect of marriage equality, already banned by Georgia’s Civil Code, can only be seen as a homophobic move. It further deteriorates already feeble state of LGBT human rights in Georgia. If the amendment is successfully initiated, it will directly violate universal equality of single parents, LGBT community and many others who do not live nuclear families. Alarmingly, this homophobic and cynical move ultimately kills the very spirit of equality protection of incoming Anti-Discrimination Law. 
Identoba, Georgia’s largest LGBT and gender equality protection NGO calls on all parties to speak up against proposed changes in Georgia’s Constitution.

England follows France in celebrating equality and making gay marriage a reality. Congratulations!!

Here we are. Gay marriage became law in England and Wales. Scotland to follow soon with a separate legislation.

Congrats to British citizens and activists who made equal marriage a reality.

British PM David Cameron personally contributed to the cause by proposing the legislation in the first place. I do not support Tories, but here is what PM tweeted today:

@David_Cameron: After a long parliamentary process gay marriage became law tonight - something I believe we can be proud of as a country. 

Respects!!

The other day, a symbol of Paris - Eiffel tower turned rainbow for the occasion of French National Day - Bastille day. Liberté, égalité, fraternité ["Liberty, equality, fraternity (brotherhood)].

Ironically, some local Armenian and Russian homophobes decided to show solidarity with French homophobes (against passing of gay marriage law in France) on... Bastille Day. They have no idea what this day is all about. This is how out of touch with contemporary (and historic) realities these people are. This is how irrelevant they became.

 

Back to the main topic of this blog post.

Now that gay marriage became a reality in Britain, I should reclaim my traditional Armenian roots and start looking for husband ;))

And talking about traditions.

“Belgium used to belong to the countries in Europe with a very conservative attitude towards gays until the mid-1990s and then became one of the most progressive countries regarding gay rights within only 10 years.” [source]

FYI Armenia.

P.S. I devote this post to very dear friends of mine who got married recently. They know who they are. x

Victory of Love in the US. Historic rulings "mark the biggest advance in civil liberties for gay people in a generation"

I am so happy and full of emotions. This is truly a historic day, and not only for the US. This is a victory of human rights. This is a victory of love.

Country by country. Regime by regime. Sooner or later. This is going to happen. Get over it.

And... congrats, gay Armenians in California!! You can now officially marry your loved ones.
***

The Guardian: "A landmark supreme court ruling struck down a controversial federal law that discriminated against gay couples in the US, delivering a stunning victory on Wednesday to campaigners who fought for years to overturn it.

The court also dismissed a separate appeal against same-sex marriage laws in California, restoring the right to gay marriage in the largest US state and nearly doubling the number of Americans living in states where gay marriage would be legal.

Together, the two rulings mark the biggest advance in civil liberties for gay people in a generation, and come amid growing political and international recognition that same-sex couples deserve equal legal treatment."

As Ben Affleck tweeted: "Goodbye #DOMA #Prop8. Hello #equality."

And the hero of the day is of course Edith Windsor.

BBC: "The legal challenge to Doma was brought by New York resident Edith Windsor, 83. She was handed a tax bill of $363,000 (£236,000) when she inherited the estate of her spouse Thea Speyer - a levy she would not have had to pay if she had been married to a man."

President Obama called Edie Windsor—the plaintiff in the #DOMA case—from AF1 to congratulate her on today's ruling (White House twitter)

*picture - via The New Yorker: How Edith Windsor learned she won

The New Yorker: Everyone at the apartment of Roberta Kaplan, the lawyer who argued Edith Windsor’s successful challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act, exploded in screams and sobs when the ruling came down. Kaplan called her mother and said, “Total victory, Mom: it couldn’t be better.” Windsor said, “I wanna go to Stonewall right now!” Then she called a friend and said, “Please get married right away!” 

Update: Just after 11 A.M., the President called. Kaplan picked up the phone and gave it to Windsor. “Hello, who am I talking to?” Windsor said. “Oh, Barack Obama? I wanted to thank you. I think your coming out for us made such a difference throughout the country.”
***

Here is how Google celebrated today's historic ruling. Any search involving "gay", "lesbian", "bisexual", "transgender", "LGBT" - turned Google search rainbow.

TIME: Gay Marriage Revolution

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G .

...and totally inspiring.

TIME's cover story "chronicles how, thanks to a massive shift in public opinion, gay marriage went from inconceivable to inevitable in less than two decades."

TIME's new issue, featuring the story, 'How Gay Marriage Won,' hits newsstands Friday. Two couples who were photographed to illustrate the story appear on two separate covers this week. See more portraits from TIME's cover shoot. 

*Cover photographs by Peter Hapak.

Gay and straight Armenians join massive marriage equality rally in Paris

Great to see visible Armenian presence during massive pro- marriage equality rally in Paris today. Both gay and straight Armenians, as well as Armenian families joined the rally with posters and interviews to express their support for marriage equality bill that will soon be discussed in the French parliament.

The largest French public TV channel "20h" information show interviewed the participants of the rally, and there was an Armenian family Catheriene and Serge Bagdadian with 2 lesbians daughters. The dad said that he wants this law to become real and also the right for lesbian women to have the possibility of artificial insemination so that he can become a granddad.

[You may watch the brief interview from around 11:30 on http://www.france2.fr/jt/20h] 

Respects!!

1000 London buses promote Stonewall's equal marriage message: “Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!”

Britain’s most prominent gay rights lobbying group Stonewall extends its Education for All campaign message “Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!” to launch the largest advertising campaign of its kind on 1000 London buses to promote equal marriage.

Throughout April 1,000 London buses are carrying adverts from Stonewall to promote equal marriage, in the largest advertising campaign of its kind. The iconic ‘Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!’ adverts link to Stonewall’s equal marriage campaign website (www.stonewall.org.uk/marriage), which includes details of the charity’s response to the government’s consultation on the issue and explains how people can submit their own responses.

Here is what I spotted so far.

It's time. Best gay marriage themed video I've seen to date

I know, this video is now all over the web, shared, re-blogged thousands of times. But it is so good, that I have to post it on my blog too. This is perhaps the best gay marriage-themed video I have seen to date. No sensationalism. Shows exactly what it is.



*video is made by Get Up marriage equality campaign in Australia: 
Remove discrimination from your heart. Remove it from law.

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» ?

Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and beyond: No recognition of same-sex marriage/partnership and adoption rights for LGBT persons - Council of Europe report

25 member states (Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, the Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, Turkey and Ukraine) do not legally recognise same-sex couples through marriage, partnership registration or cohabitation rights. Some of these member states (Bulgaria, Latvia, Moldova, Lithuania, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine and Romania) have specified that marriage is the prerogative of different-sex couples.

Adoption rights
No access to joint adoption or second-parent adoption is a reality in 35 member states: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, Turkey and Ukraine.

Ten member states allow second-parent adoption to same-sex couples (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom). Apart from Finland and Germany these member states also give access to joint adoptions for same-sex couples. In Austria and France there is no access to second-parent adoption but same-sex couples in registered partnerships are allowed some parental authority or responsibilities.

*Read also: Groundbreaking Council of Europe report issues ‘red cards’ to many member states, incl. Armenia, for failing gay rights

History in the making: New York legalises gay marriage

It's a place that gave birth to the modern gay rights movement. Stonewall. It's therefore a bit surprising it took so long for marriage equality to become a reality in New York. It seemed so natural and routine for the soul of New York that this should have been the case for ages. Still, with delays, it's truly a history in the making. It's impossible to underestimate the importance and influence of New York worldwide. It's not simply a victory for local activists. It's a victory for all of us, for anyone who cares about human rights. Well done, New York !! Mon amour.

Yes, was so f*cking amazing to wake up with the news that New York finally legalised gay marriage.

This picture of the Empire State building in New York covered in rainbow went viral today.

It has always been cool to be a New Yorker. It's now even double-triple cool...

Cheers!

Breaking: gay marriage ban (Proposition 8) was ruled unconstitutional in California

BIG victory for gay rights movement. Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in California, was ruled unconstitutional by chief US judge. Here is hoping it will survive the appeals too. History in making. 


Congratulations to LGBT Armenians in California!!

Argentina says Yes! to gay marriage

BBC reports that “Argentina has become the first country in Latin America to legalise gay marriage after the Senate voted in favour. The country's Chamber of Deputies had already approved the legislation. The vote in the Senate, which backed the bill by just six votes, came after 14 hours of at times heated debate. The law, which also allows same-sex couples to adopt, had met with fierce opposition from the Catholic Church and other religious groups. The legislation, backed by President Cristina Fernandez's centre-left government, passed by 33 votes to 27 with three abstentions.”

I second Ricky Martin who tweeted the news: “#Argentina votes yes on gay marriage law! A great nation making history”.

Oh, poor Kissag Mouradian, Archbishop of the Armenian church in Argentina… You - along with some other religious leaders - were so out of touch with reality and trying so hard to oppose the bill. Do not you worry, you will be good, you will catch up. For now, as British would say, have a cup of tea…

BBC reminds that “there have been several gay marriages recently in Argentina, some of which were annulled by the Supreme Court, creating a legal controversy. Civil unions between people of the same sex are legal in Buenos Aires and in some other provinces but there was no law to regulate it on a country-wide level.

Argentina's capital is widely considered to be among the most gay-friendly cities in Latin America. It was the first Latin American city to legalise same-sex unions.

Same-sex civil unions are also legal in Uruguay and some states in Brazil and Mexico, while gay marriage is legal in Mexico City.”

*picture -by Reuters, via BBC

London Pride 2010: My top favourite pictures

Cute and adorable.

Same-sex family.

Enough is Enough. Act Against Homophobia.

*For more pictures - see my Picasa Web Album

London Pride 2010: Mayor of London backs same-sex marriage and marches with Gay Liberation Front

Mayor of London Boris Johnson marches with Gay Liberation Front founded in 1970 and marking its 40th anniversary. Prominent British human rights activist Peter Tatchell (first picture) reports that during the march London mayor expressed his support for same-sex marriage.
***

Boris Johnson backs same-sex marriage

London - 4 July 2010

When challenged by human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell at yesterday’s London Pride gay parade, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, declared his support for same-sex civil marriage.

He was responding to Mr Tatchell’s placard, which read:

“Dave & Sam Cameron can marry, gays can’t. End the ban on gay marriage.”

(David Cameron is the British Prime Minster and Samantha is his wife).

The Mayor took a look at the placard and said: “Why not?”

“So you are in favour of same-sex marriage?” queried Mr Tatchell. “Yes, I don’t see why not,” replied Mr Johnson. Pressed further, the Mayor added: “Fair enough, the ban should go.”

When Mr Tatchell reminded him that that the Conservative-Liberal Democrat government does not support same-sex marriage Mr Johnson replied: “Well, they should.”

“If the Conservatives and Liberals can get together in a national coalition and settle their differences, I don't see why you can't have gay marriage,” the Mayor told Mr Tatchell.

“If a gay couple want to get married in a registry office, why shouldn’t they?” he added.

Mr Johnson, the second most influential Tory political leader, is the most senior Conservative to endorse the campaign for same-sex civil marriage.

His call for marriage equality was echoed by the openly lesbian Tory MP, Margot James. Marching with Mr Tatchell, she told him that although she supported civil partnerships she also wanted to repeal the ban on lesbian and gay couples getting married in a registry office.

“It is a big breakthrough to win Boris’s backing for marriage equality. His support will increase pressure to end the gay ban. I am very grateful to the Mayor.

“Public opinion is on our side. The government and most MPs are out of touch. An opinion poll conducted by Populous and published by iopinion poll conducted by Populous and published by The Times last June found that 61% of the British public support same-sex civil marriage.”

“Civil partnerships are a big advance but they not equality. They are second class. In a democratic society, we should all be equal under the law. Having separate laws for gays and heterosexuals is a form of sexual apartheid,” said Mr Tatchell.

Armenian church against gay marriage... in Argentina

Apparently, Armenian church representative in Argentina has nothing more to do than to actively protest the possible final approval of same-sex marriage bill by country’s Senate. Spanish-language online outlets report that the Archbishop of the Armenian church in Argentina Kissag Mouradian joined the anti-gay marriage voices by some other religious leaders at parliamentary committee hearings on same-sex marriage bill.

Earlier this year Argentine congress voted to legalise gay marriage. The bill then moved to the Senate where its “prospects are unclear”.

Kissag Mouradian called marriage between two men or two women “unthinkable”, “flatly rejected the idea of same-sex marriage”. (translations from Spanish by Google Translate)

The relatively ‘good news’ - if I may say so - is that reportedly he was not the harshest critique of the bill.

The only religious leader who supported the bill was Rabbi Daniel Goldman who argued that Judaism “is a search for the family, so family models, over time, may be modifying”. (Google Translate)

Here are few links to Spanish language sources carrying the news: 1, 2, 3, 4.

*picture - via The Armenian Church

Breaking news: Gay marriages are now legal in Portugal!!

Fantastic news from Portugal, right for the occasion, on the day when the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia is being celebrated worldwide.

Portugal's president ratifies gay marriage law

(AP) – 59 minutes ago

LISBON, Portugal — Portugal's conservative president says he has decided to ratify a law allowing gay marriage in the predominantly Catholic country.

The head of state's decision to permit the enactment of a bill passed by Parliament in January makes Portugal the sixth European country allowing same-sex couples to wed.

President Anibal Cavaco Silva announced his decision Monday.

The Socialist government's bill was backed by all of Portugal's left-of-center parties, who together have a majority in Parliament. Right-of-center parties opposed the measure and demanded a national referendum.

Portugal's Constitutional Court validated the bill's legality last month.

Cheating: all the same, or different?

To find out that your loved one was cheating on you, deceiving, living a lie, is always a frustrating, heartbreaking experience. Some may say cheating is cheating regardless of who that person was cheating with. Theoretically, yes.

However... as a gay man, it would be much worse for me if I caught my boyfriend/partner/husband cheating on me with another man, than with a woman. I do not think I will ever forgive him, if it was with another man, but I will probably be more flexible in listening to his ‘explanations’ or considering forgiveness if it was with another woman. [ Don’t take this as granted, future boyfriends! :-) ]

Likewise, I always thought that for a straight woman it’s much worse if she caught her husband cheating with another woman, than with a man. Well, apparently, it’s not (always) the case, at least according to this article in Aravot daily (AM), reportedly based on one Armenian woman’s real-life experience where she says: “There is nothing worse for a woman to see her husband in another man’s arms” [“Յուրաքանչյուր կնոջ համար սեփական ամուսնուն ուրիշ տղամարդու գրկում տեսնելուց ավելի վատ բան չկա”]