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.

Public TV in Armenia and pop singers in PR disaster over Eurovision

Let me start from the very beginning of this story. A story that quickly turned into farce. Perhaps, one of the most spectacular yet tragic PR disasters of Armenia’s Public TV & co.

Group of initially unnamed Armenian pop singers issued a ‘statement’ on 23 February 2012, in which they urged country’s public broadcaster to boycott the Eurovision song contest in Baku. As a more immediate trigger for such decision, the ‘statement’ cited the news that “20-year-old solder Albert Adibekyan was shot by an Azerbaijani sniper on the Line of Contact between Azerbaijan and the disputed Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.”

“Theatre of absurdist Eurovision related propaganda continues.” - this was my immediate reaction that was subsequently quoted by AFP.

It was instantly obvious that this "group of singer/songwriters" was used as a propaganda tool and as a pretense so that Armenia’s Public TV will have an excuse to announce their “no”. The wording of the ‘statement’ left little to imagination as to the real authors behind such ‘creation’. State propaganda machine.

Entertainment website bravo.am, immediately after the release of the 'statement', tried approaching those "well known and famous" (yet unnamed!) singers, only to discover that many of them had no idea about the “written statement”, and contrary to what was indicated in some outlets ('all previous Armenian Eurovision singers signed it in') at least Andre said that in fact he would like to perform in Baku. Basically, Armenian propaganda people prepared and distributed the 'statement' first, then started asking singers to sign in. Tragic and laughable at the same time.

In a further evidence that this spectacle was coordinated by Public TV, one of the signatories - singer Artur Ispiryan - admitted in an interview with Yerkir Media that it was them (Public TV) who called him asking whether he thinks Armenia should participate in Baku or not. He said he was not aware of the accompanying text.

Following eventual 'disclosure' of signatories, I was glad to notice that Sirusho (the most successful Armenian Eurovision entrant so far) and Dorians (the band I like and favor for this year’s Eurovision) were not among them. Ironically, none of the signatories were even considered for this year’s Eurovision.

Many on social networks, in particular Facebook, and media, condemned the move as unacceptable exploitation of soldier’s death for personal and political propaganda purposes, especially by those singers who tarnished their reputation during 2008 post-election bloodshed by keeping silent or siding with the authorities.

(AM) "Այո, անբարոյականություն է, երբ որ դու առիթ ես որոնում` «Եվրատեսիլ» չգնալդ հիմնավորելու համար եւ հանկարծ օգտագործում ես զինվորի մահը: Անբարոյական է էն «աստղը», որ զոհված զինվորի անունը չարաշահում է իր մոտակա անելիքները պլանավորելու համար, իսկ մարտի 1-ի զոհերի մասին ասում է՝ թող էնտեղ չլինեին, չսպանվեին:" (source)

And here is just one of the reasons why I respect Dorians:

Addressing the reason cited by the artists for refusing to perform in Baku (Adibekyan’s death), Dorians’ producer [Vahagn Gevorgyan] said:
“The saddest part is that the soldier’s death yesterday is tied up with Eurovision and more uproar was evoked than the deaths of other soldiers. Not now, but long ago we should’ve reflected on the cause of [these] deaths in the army, who is to blame that soldiers are being killed. Of course, they say, the Azeris, but I don’t think that we don’t have problems within our own army,” he said.

The situation evolved into spectacular yet tragic PR disaster when first ArmeniaNow, then other news outlets (with the confirmation by Ministry of Defense) admitted that the soldier whose death was exploited for propaganda purposes and as an excuse to withdraw from the Eurovision was in fact killed by his fellow Armenian serviceman [read: Mis-Information: Army says Azeri sniper killed soldier, but new information contradicts and confirmation by MoD in News.am and RFE/RL]

Conscript Albert Adibekyan, who died on February 23 in a military base near Chinar village, Tavush province, according to new information, was killed not by an Azeri sniper, as it was officially reported, but rather by an Armenian serviceman. [...]
Helsinki Association expert Ruben Martirosyan told ArmeniaNow that yesterday at the meeting with Yura Badalyan, head of the Central Apparatus at the Ministry of Defense Investigative Service, Badalyan told him that they “had managed to find out that the killer was not an Azeri sniper but was an Armenian [serviceman].”
“So there is a new way of calling the murders committed in border military bases - to hide the case, attributing the blame to a [Azeri] sniper, to gain dividends in front of the international community. Parents will be comforted believing that their child has died as a hero. But this will simply destroy our army,” Martirosyan says. 

During 2012, eight soldier deaths have been registered. Only two were from enemy fire.

Where are your voices now? Where is the statement condemning death of the Armenian soldier killed by his fellow serviceman? Where is the outrage of our super-patriotic singers? I can’t hear you.
***
P.S. There are quite a few genuine reasons that Armenia’s Public TV may have considered to withdraw from the competition, without resorting to above. Among them, I would like to highlight the underrated fact of virtual impossibility of Armenian fans (apart from being part of delegation or media) to travel to Azerbaijan capital Baku for Eurovision. I genuinely believe that Eurovision should not be held in a country where there are obstacles for participating fans. Because Eurovision is not only about songs, singers and country delegations. It's equally or more so about fans too. I will not even go into the issue of widespread and systematic human rights abuses in Azerbaijan (see the very latest example highlighted by the Human Rights Watch). And as if Armenian Public TV / pop stars‘ ridiculousness was not enough, now Azerbaijan’s Eurovision winner Nigar Camal resorted to propaganda language stirring anti-Armenian hysteria by exploiting the anniversary of tragic events during Karabakh war on Twitter. This is not the language that supposedly welcoming host should have used.

“Official” Eurovision-related decision by Armenia’s Public TV [participate - Yes/No; if Yes - the entry] will be announced by 18 March 2012.

Introducing bigot - Gevorg Altunyan of Armenia Public TV

Homophobia Hall of Shame has a new ‘resident’: Gevorg Altunyan, deputy head of news and analytical programs at Public TV in Armenia ում “առողջ բանականության սահմաններում ընկալելն անհնար է” (using his own words).

You know that things didn't change that much in Armenia when apart from handful of protests/comments on Facebook there have been no complaints sent to Public TV in Armenia after homophobic and transphobic outbursts by 'star commentator' Gevorg Altunyan in his Tesankyun TV programme. He didn't apologise and he still works in Public TV as a “Deputy Head of news and analytical programs”.



Disgraceful.

I devote him this song: You Think You're A Man.

‘Two alternatives’ for Armenia re Eurovision in Baku? I don’t think so. No ‘music wars’, please

Why on earth everyone ‘agrees’ that there are 2 alternatives for Armenia re Eurovision representation: either SOAD or Razmik Amyan?! Provided, if Armenia decides positively on participation, which seems likely. Of course, as I mentioned few times in my previous posts, there are still major concerns that Azeri authorities must address before the final decision is made by Eurovision officials and Armenia organisers.

Irrespective of Azerbaijan factor, I would love to see SOAD (System Of A Down) or similar band one day representing Armenia in Eurovision. Yes, I know, it’s not your typical Eurovision-like band, but - for a change - we could try with alternative genres too. Of course, I hope Public TV in Armenia & higher level decision makers understand (or must understand) that there should be no political songs there, well, at least not overtly political. I’d rather see messages of love, peace etc. In fact, Serj Tankian seems to understand this perfectly too. Two years ago, in response to similar speculations re their participation in Eurovision for Armenia, he stated: “A love song would probably do better than political song however".

Also, why suddenly everyone talks of Razmik Amyan as the 'only alternative to SOAD'? Just because he has Karabakh roots, and in Azerbaijan we should present either highly political SOAD or Karabakh-born Razmik Amyan? It’s a music contest, after all, and I sincerely hope that Armenia will not put itself into a ridiculous position of attempting at ‘music wars’ with Azerbaijan.

I am not fan of Razmik Amyan, never was. In my opinion, his music could become digestable only if he refrains (completely!) from that ‘klkloc’ part, although almost all of his songs suffer from that to a varying degree. Besides, his fashion sense and ‘moves’ are highly questionable image/style-wise, and close to ‘rabiz’ style. This will need an urgent image/style/fashion intervention, if his choice is finalised.

Let’s put forward and discuss few singers/bands, and (importantly) songs that they will represent. There should be several factors to take into account in decision making process, and those factors should not involve regional or international politics and place of birth.

For the first time ever... Armenia is OUT of Eurovision final. Failure that I warned you about...

I feel sorry for Emmy. Stage-wise they did whatever possible or impossible to save the performance. It was entertaining. But... what happened to her voice? Vocally it was too bad. But... that’s not even the most important aspect of it. There was this big BUT there... the BUT that mattered the most... At the end of the day, THAT song sucked. Spectacularly. It always did.

The failure that amounted to a cold shower for the Public TV of Armenia, the organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest. They can no longer rely on Diaspora voting. They must rely on quality, even if Eurovision-like. It’s as simple as that.

I warned you. I sincerely did.

Read my latest comments I made before today’s semi-final so that nothing could influence what I had to say...

Major fail for Armenia in Eurovision. Emmy was robbed of her Eurovision song 

Cute Emmy + hot Greek dancers. Things started looking better for Armenia in Eurovision

Nothing and no one (absolutely no one) could help Armenia to progress further with THAT song, and deservedly so. No, I am not rejoicing that my predictions came true. I am just stating the facts.

(AM) Միշտ ասել եմ: Մենակ մեռնելուս օրը չգիտեմ: Ու տենց... (Նորայրի ականջը կանչի) 

via @onewmphoto: Obviously Armenia needs to hire @unzippedblog for its next Eurovision attempt... #ESC2011

I am glad that my favourites from the 1st semi - Georgia, Lithuania and Greece - all progressed to the final.

Georgia stood out in Eurovision context and may be beyond. Even my sexual orientation was questioned for a moment or two. A friend of mine commented on Facebook re my liking of Georgian entry: “and really, Mika, one would never know you were gay”. [*smile* and *like*]

Respects to Lithuania. Not only they were good vocally, but the use of sign language... RESPECTS.

And Greece... except from that rapping part, it was hot. Seriously.

Public TV in Georgia dismisses 2 journalists because of hate speech on Facebook, while in Armenia... even British Council & co promote homophobes on a VIP level

Excellent precedent. This is perhaps the first of its kind in the South Caucasus when journalists got dismissed because of hate speech (including homophobia).

On 18 March 2011, the Georgian Public Broadcaster dismissed two of its journalists, Giorgi Tukhareli and Giorgi Gabrichidze, because of offensive comments they made on Facebook against homosexuals and the Vatican as well as the Catholic Church. The journalists wrote the remarks on the wall of a page, I don't love my Patriarch, but even if the comments later disappeared, someone managed to take a screenshot to post on the Internet.

According to reports, Gabrichidze and Tukhareli resigned themselves and Vakho Sanaia, the anchor of a program they worked on, personally met them. He said that it would be impossible for him to work with them again in the future. “Their comments are incompatible with our values and work style,” Vakho Sanaia told Media.ge,” Journalists quit their jobs themselves, and that's what I wished.” Sanaia also said that he would not have worked with them from the beginning had he known that they were homophobes.

“I'm shocked, I could not believe until I saw it with my own eyes. Both Gabrichidze and Tukhareli were some of the best journalists and they have proven that many times by risking their lives to cover recent events in Egypt. Despite all this, program has its image, which has been jeopardized. We condemn this kind of action from a journalist even if they write it on their Facebook wall,” Rusudan Vashakidze, the Producer of the program, told onlinenews.ge.

According to Netgazeti.ge, Vashakidze talked to Gabrichidze over the phone and later denied accusations claiming that his profile had been hacked while those responsible for the program they worked on said that Facebook is a public space and journalists had to understand that everything they wrote would negatively affect them. Gabrichidze and Tukhareli violated the Georgian Public Broadcaster's code of ethics and therefore had to quit.

Not that this culture has any deep roots in Georgia, as homophobia & religious fanatism is pretty widespread there - see my previous posts re situation in Tbilisi & elsewhere or the latest from Eurasia.Net - but this is an excellent precedent to start with.

I never heard of an example by the Yerevan Press Club or similar groups to voice against homophobic instances in Armenian media. Perhaps, our human rights and LGBT related groups should be more active too, in monitoring and formally complaining about each such incident. That said... I remember how one prominent head of media rights group, when approached re condemning hate speeches in local media... the only thing he was interested in and curious about was... whether we would be publishing names of high profile gays in Armenia. Truly, to laugh and to cry.

Not only we are lacking similar precedents in Armenian media, but even some prominent international organisations (example - British Council) or Diaspora linked think tanks (example - Civilitas) continue their shameful policy of supporting media, groups or individuals that promote hate, intolerance and homophobia. This typically follows by lame excuses and patronising ‘clarifications’.

What sort of messages, say, British Council Armenia conveys, in behaving the way they do? The one of hypocrisy. They promote homophobes, then in response to the outrage by activists, to ‘save the face’, they organise trainings. Next day... they get engaged in yet another promotion of homophobes on a pretty prominent level (screenshot below).

At least locals are more honest. They do not disguise their activities under the cover of equality, diversity and tolerance.

It’s very convenient to say: “We are not there yet. You should be more patient. It will take time to see the changes.” True, *change* will not come at once, in one day. But how are we going to see any changes at all if we do not act and do not act now?

Luckily, there are activists in Armenia who act, and we have (albeit very few) media outlets that are homophobia-free (example - Epress.am).

The other day I was watching this excellent BBC drama Christopher and His Kind about famous British novelist Christopher Isherwood, his time in Berlin against the backdrop of rise to the power of the Nazis. Brilliant cast. Brilliant storyline and production. Highly recommend it. There was this very simple and powerful line there in relation to the rise of the Nazi.... “When you get used to it, that’s the danger. You get used to it. You get used to anything.” Says it all.

Armenia: Disgrace of the Day

When hatemongers from Iravunk tabloid award Public TV in Armenia for "best cultural coverage", and the head of Public TV Aleksan Harutyunyan proudly accepts the 'award' with the handshake, no more words needed to comment, it's #fail.

*picture - via 1in.am

Harvey Milk in Armenia (2): 'Milk' was shown on a national TV channel H2

His life changed history. His courage changed lives.

When I first watched Milk in London in January 2009, my first thought was "We need someone like Harvey Milk for Armenia. Someone who will inspire. Someone who will lead civil rights movement."

My second thought was whether the film will be shown in Armenia. I knew that it won't be released in cinemas, but there should be no problems with the DVDs.

However, I did not expect the film to be shown on Armenian TV channels so quickly. Always like pleasant surprises, and always happy to share them with you.

First, it was Tsayg TV channel in Armenia's second city Gyumri. They showed Milk in April 2009. Mamikon of PINK Armenia posted his impressions after watching the film: "I learn a lot from Harvey Milk, even all the phrases that he said are in my mind. Hope one day I can be so strong like him and I can do at least part of his work. I wish one day to stand on the top of the mountain with you and feel the wind of freedom."

What is even more significant is today's news from Yerevan, that Armenia's national TV channel H2 showed Milk tonight. News were first broken via Twitter. These are truly tweets of the day for me:

Armenian H2 channel shows a film on gay movement campaign in san francisco. WOW
*@astepany

The story of Harvey Milk, and his struggles as an American gay activist NOW on H2 armenian channel.
*@astepany

@unzippedblog - yes and the film is in russian. sony ericsson is the official "hovanavor"
*@astepany

Yes, "His life changed history. His courage changed lives". Let's just hope that we'll achieve this in Armenia without losing (more) lives...

Xenophobe, sexist and homophobe likely candidate to head Georgia Public TV

The message below is from Georgian LGBT NGO - Inclusive Foundation.
***
Dear all,

Many of you are aware that the director of Georgian public broadcasting has resigned. His former deputy and general producer G. Chanturia is now discussed as the possible candidate while all other candidates are not favored by government.

I urge all of to share this note with your friends and raise awareness so that Board has problems appointing him as director of GPB. This man is xenophobe, sexist and homophobe. Today we cannot afford this kind of person paid by our money slamming our face with his miserable prejudice!

This is the letter that EU presidency, Swedish Ambassador kindly wrote to the Board.

Letter of Swedish Ambassador to Georgian Public Broadcasting on the occasion of homophobic hate speech

To: Mr. Levan Gakheladze, Head of the Board of trustees of the GPB

Dear Sir,
Unfortunately, a climate of homophobia prevails in Georgia, reflecting attitudes that are not compatible with European norms on human rights. An example of this unhealthy social environment was the discussion published in the January 2009 issue of the magazine Tskheli Shokoladi, discussion during which a representative of the Georgian Public Broadcaster was reported as treating homosexuals in a disrespectful way, calling them “crippled people” and “pederasts”. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association as well as the Ombudsman have criticized this violation of the code of conduct of the Georgian public broadcaster.

In a related matter, in 2007 the GPB had agreed to show a documentary on LGBT rights violations in Europe entitled “Rainbow’s End”. However, for some unknown reason, the documentary was eventually not broadcast.

It remains unclear what the position of the Board over these cases is.

The Swedish EU presidency supports the negotiations within the EU on a new directive implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. According to this new directive, discrimination because of sexual orientation shall be prohibited.

Also, the Swedish presidency will organize an Equality Summnit in November which will constitute an opportunity to reaffirm political commitment for this new anti-discrimination directive, give visibility to discrimination based on gender identity and highlight LGBT rights violations.

Taking into consideration Georgia’s European aspirations and its increasing engagement in the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership, I remind you that Georgia will be expected to transpose the EU acquis into national legislation, including comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, and to respect and uphold LGBT people’s rights.

The Swedish embassy would recommend that the Georgian Public Broadcasting undertake activities designed to educate the general public on sexual orientation and gender identity and to counter homophobia and negative stereotypes.

Best regards,

Hans Gunnar Aden

CC: M Levan Kubaneishvili, Director General of the GPB
M Paata Sabelashvili, President of Inclusive Foundation

Public TV of Armenia about transsexuals, gender reassignment surgery (video)

I posted about this programme few months ago. Now thanks to Transgenders in Armenia blog, a video extract from the programme aired by Public TV of Armenia.

Armenia Public TV about transsexuals

Transgenders in Armenia reports that yesterday Armenia Public TV aired a programme about plastic surgery and devoted 3-4 minutes to transsexuals and gender reassignment surgery. The blog says that it's pleasantly surprised by the objectivity of the journalist. The programme also mentioned that the Ministry of Health pledged to work on legislative changes regulating the issue. Let's hope, it will be sooner, say, matter of year(s), than decades. Of course, as blog indicates, you can't expect changes by just one TV programme, but at least it's a positive step making people exposed to existence and some of the problems faced by transgender people in Armenia.

2 խոսք Տրանսսեքսուալների մասին Հ1-ով
Երեկ` մայիսի 16-ին, ժամը 17:40 Հ1-ով ցույց տվեցին Գոհար Գասպարյանի հեղինակային "21-ի պիգմալիոնները" ֆիլմը: Ֆիլմը ինքնին գրեթե ամբողջովին նվիրված էր գեղագիտական պլաստիկ վիրահատությանը և մեզ մոտ ընդունված հիմնականում քթի վիրահատությանը:
Բայց ֆիլմի մեջ ընդգրկված էր մոտ 3-4րոպեանոց հատված նվիրված սեռի փոփոխման վիրահատությանը և ի զարմանս ինձ բավականին օբյեկտիվ էր: Ինձ դուր եկավ հեղինակի կողմից ասված խոսքերը "նրանք մեր կողքին են" :) Նման կերպ տարբեր վիրաբուժներ պատասխանեցին, որ դա լուրջ խնդիր է, որ անպայման անհրաժեշտ է նման մարդկանց բժշկական միջամտություն, որ պետք է տարբերակել հոմոսեքսուալիզմը, տրանսվիտիզմը և տրանսսեքսուալիզմը: Եվ հաղորդման ընթացքում հեղինակը ավելացրեց, որ մեր առողջապահության նախարարությունը իր կողմից խոստանում է առաջիկա մի քանի տարիների ( պ.ս. երևի մի 30-40 տարուց :-) ) անպայման անդրադառնալ այդ հարցին և համապատասխան օրենքին:
Ավելացնեմ նաև, որ նման մեկ հաղորդումը սարեր շուռ չի տա, բայց գոնե քայլ է, որի միջոցով գոնե մարդկանց ականջը սովորում է տրանսսեքսուալ բառ:

Online TV interview with editors of Georgian LGBT Me magazine

Blog.teentv.ge is a teenagers’ TV programme (in Georgian) transmitted via Internet. They focus on alternative subcultures and try to fill in that gap through their programming.

Teen TV was initially broadcasted on Public TV. Once they prepared a plot about how several priests came to the Halloween celebration (it was sponsored by a city hall; and they closed one pedestrian street when they encountered a clergy violent protest - the DJ was beaten up by priest). However, this did not get aired, and in protest they left the public channel. Teen TV will soon be hosted by Rustavi 2, a leading (private) channel. Till then, it is only available via blogging which is reportedly very popular.

Their most recent programme was devoted to Georgian LGBT magazine - Me. Below is a video which includes interviews with the editors of the magazine and passer-bys (in Georgian). Also - a brief summary transcript in English. (Many thanks to Paata for translation and the info provided!)



"One can find a large number of publications in press booths. However, the vast majority of these are addressed to the same type of readership (mainstream). Where can one find an alternative read? The choice is not that diverse. After viewing our story one may ask a question: why would WE cover the issue? Yet we think that this topic is equally interesting to EVERYONE."

In this TV report, co-editors of the Me magazine Eka and Paata speak of the motivation behind the publication and its aims. They mention that Me magazine is the first attempt to assemble a publication about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in Georgia. [in fact, in the whole South Caucasus] The idea of it came early in 2006, slightly ahead of the registration of the organization – Inclusive Foundation, LGBT NGO in Georgia. It aims not only at LGBT community, but also a wider society. Incompetent media spreading misinformation and widespread homophobia were all behind the motivation to start this publication to address information needs and increase awareness of the population. Since then there have been increased attention and discussions in Georgia of this previously tabooed topic (with active involvement of the church). Magazine is distributed free of charge.

Reporter then mentions that like with any other new, previously tabooed subject matters, the publication of the LGBT magazine is expected to be met negatively and critically by the public. But the very fact that this publication has seen the daylight and makes influences is a positive sign.

They also interviewed few passer-bys.

1st interviewee: No, I do not know about this publication.
Reporter: would you read it?
1st interviewee: Yes, perhaps yes. I think would be interesting to.

2nd interviewee [in Russian]: No, I would not have an interest. And I think that this type of publications shall not be out, and especially youth shall not entertain themselves with it.

3rd interviewee: No, I haven’t heard of it.
Reporter: Would you read it?
3rd interviewee: No, I doubt it, because this issue is of no concern to me.

4th interviewee: No I have not encountered this publication.
Reporter: What is your opinion?
4th interviewee: Hmm, I don’t know… I think that it is nothing to welcome really, in my opinion…
Reporter: Would you read it though?
4th interviewee: No, I would not be interested in reading it.

5th interviewee: No, have not heard of it.
Reporter: Would you be interested to read it?
5th interviewee: mm, if I would find a particular article interesting, of course, I would read it, yes.

“Be Free”: Armenian pop star Shprot delivers the most original gender bending performance during Eurovision show on Public TV

Well done, Shprot!!!

The best show of the evening during the national selection for Eurovision 2009 in Armenia came from the most original, scandalous, always unique Shprot. She is a kind of singer who I’d always prefer to watch, instead of listening to via my ipod or cd. Her voice is not her strongest feature. But her performance, her shows became the most talked about in Yerevan. Her last show was not an exception. It was the first of its kind in Armenia. Everyone whom I discussed with the national Eurovision selection on Public TV of Armenia mentioned Shprot’s performance as something which stands out. Not her voice or song per se, but performance (!).

Watch Shprot’s gender bending, Victor/Victoria style, ‘half man / half woman’ performance (along with her dancers) below. You won’t regret it.




One of her most popular recent songs is Positive with Aram MP3.

I would highly recommend watching her song Be Free (see below). It contains so much needed message to Armenians to be free, to liberate themselves, to quit being scared of desires and dreams.



As one of the comments to the video states: “Her song is about being free regardless of who you are, your gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, etc...whatever you are don't be afraid of it but rather embrace it that's her message..”

I propose this song as a hymn to sexual and social liberation in Armenia. Well, until someone else propose the better one.

I love you, Shprot!

LGBT Georgia: gay group demands dismissal of Public TV official; new issue of Me magazine

Inclusive Foundation, LGBT group in Georgia has appealed to the Public Broadcaster's board of supervisors to dismiss the deputy director-general of the Public TV Giorgi Chanturia for his homophobic rhetoric. In its January issue, the popular Georgian magazine Hot Chocolate featured an extensive discussion on the new programming of the Georgian Public TV. When asked by one of participants “whether Public TV had prepared any single programme devoted to minorities”, Chanturia responded with a question: "For pederasts?" (a derogative term to refer to gays). Reportedly, he made also other xenophobic remarks. Georgian LGBT group argues that Chanturia's statements are “out of line with the Public Broadcaster's code of conduct.” Inclusive Foundation reports that “the board has yet to respond.” Apparently, number of media outlets in Georgia dismissed Chanturia’s remarks, a “welcomed” development, as indicated by Georgian LGBT group. They promise to provide more details in the next issue of their bi-lingual LGBT magazine “Me”.

In the meantime, the 9th issue of the magazine is out now. Notions of sexuality and gender identity/roles, including those reflected in Georgian culture and language, are the main focus of the current issue.

Editorial
Like “non–traditional” sexual orientation, gender balance or equality has become a fashionable topic in the Georgian media. Aside from radically divergent assessments and distorted terminology, the thing that most stands out while reading these materials is author’s superficial knowledge of fundamental issues. Yet the media plays one of the most important roles in the formation and dissemination of social stereotypes within society.
As for gender issues in general, it should be pointed out that, thanks to years of efforts on the part of women’s organizations, at least some journalists have provided thoughtful and qualified coverage of relevant events. This cannot be said, however, about topics concerning sexuality and sexual orientation.
This can be explained on the one hand by the divergent views held by professionals working in the fields of sexology and psychology and on the other hand by the scarcity of academic materials on the topic in the Georgian language.
The main focus of this issue was selected, to a certain extent, because of this information vacuum. We hope that Me’s ninth issue – which is devoted to issues concerning the nature and interplay of sexuality, sexual orientation, gender identity – will be of interest to people working in the media, as well as others concerned about such topics.

Host of Armenian Public TV “2 Stars” music show Felix Khachatryan makes homophobic remarks

Apparently, there were some 'blue-coloured' references made by Felix Khachatryan, host of “2 Stars” (“2 Astgh” – “Stars on the Stage”) music show on Armenian Public TV. (“blue” is a mainly derogatory reference to gays in ex-Soviet countries).

The participating couples consist of one famous singer and another famous person, belonging to a different sphere (sport, politics, theatre, etc.). The judge and the TV-viewers during each live program assess the couples’ singing and artistic skills.

I do not watch that show, therefore asked around to confirm whether these incidents happened. Sadly, I got confirmations. Kind of routine homophobia, derogatory references and use of language by host Felix. Particularly, these remarks were made in reference to a duet performing I Will Survive (Anna Khachatryan & Mkhitar Avetisyan). I’ve heard also about one instance of offensive reference re “maleness” by singer-judge Shushan Petrosyan in reference to a male duo Aram MP3 & Garik Papoyan.

This is one of the rare but welcome occasions that I have to praise Aravot daily’s gay related publication denouncing music show host Felix’s use of homophobic references on Public TV. The author G. Hovsepyan makes some valid points implying that normally people who are insecure in their sexuality, or in closet, try to show off by using routine homophobia, listing similar other examples too. The author states that just because one defends human rights of blacks, women or “blues” does not mean that s/he is black, woman or “blue”, reminding that Public TV of Armenia is for “blues” too.

See, it’s this kind of Aravot I’d like to read more if not always. Aravot which exposes hypocrisy and fights prejudices, not the one which multiplies them.

«ԵՐԿՈՒ ԱՍՏՂ»-Ի ԿԱԶՄԱԿԵՐՊԻՉՆԵՐԻՆ ԵՎ ՀԱՂՈՐԴԱՎԱՐ ՖԵԼԻՔՍԻՆ

[...] Լավ, կարճ կապեմ, վերջում ուզում եմ ուղղակի դիմել «տաղանդավոր» հաղորդավար Ֆելիքսին. Ֆելիքս ջան, ո՞ր «կապույտ»-ից ես այդքան վառված, որ Հանրային եւ ոչ հատվածային հեռուստաալիքով ոչ մի առիթ բաց չես թողնում նրանց փնովելու: Լսե՞լ ես, որ ասում են. ինչքան շատ ես խոսում անկեղծությունից, այնքան կեղծ ես, ինչքան շատ ես խոսում քո երջանկությունից, այնքան դժբախտ ես, ինչքան ասում ես «սիրում եմ», այնքան քիչ ես սիրում եւ այլն...

Վերջում մեկ անգամ եւս ուզում եմ հիշեցնել, որ «Հ1»-ը հանրային հեռուստաալիք է, ուստի ոչ ոք իրավունք չունի ասելու՝ «չես հավանում՝ ալիքը փոխի»: Երկու դիտողություն եւս՝ սեւամորթների, կանանց, «կապույտների» իրավունքների մասին արտահայտվողը պարտադիր չէ, որ լինի սեւամորթ, կին, կամ «կապույտ»: Երկրորդ՝ Հայաստանի հանրային հեռուստատեսությունը դիտում են նաեւ «կապույտները»:
Գ. ՀՈՎՍԵՓՅԱՆ

Aram MP3 & Garik Papoyan


Anna Khachatryan & Mkhitar Avetisyan - I Will Survive


Lilit Hovhannisyan & Vahram Petrosyan - Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word