X Factor Armenia judges: homophobes, closets and… drag

Egor Glumov

X Factor Armenia judge. Works as a presenter at homophobic radio station - radio Van. Self-proclaimed “militant homophobe”. To be more precise: “Christian and militant homophobe”, as he describes himself on a bio page for X Factor Armenia judges.

And here is Egor Glumov in drag, celebrating his workplace birthday. Or shall we say ‘celebrating’ himself?

*source of pictures: Tert.am

***

Garik, aka Ekaterin

X Factor Armenia judge. He is the author of lyrics for Armenia Eurovision entry Aram MP3 song Not Alone. But he is more known in Armenia as Ekaterin for his comedy sketches in drag.

When this blog exposed homophobic statements by Aram MP3, followed by Aram’s apology, Garik was all silent in Copenhagen where the song contest took place. As soon as he arrived back in Yerevan’s Zvartnots airport, he suddenly became all vocal, you know the fake macho-style type vocal, with a series of homophobic outbursts. [There is a saying in Armenian re this type of people: Հայաստանից դուրս կուռկուռի ձագ են դառնում]

And in his capacity of X Factor judge, Garik, aka Ekaterin, on the very day when the world marks IDAHOT, shouted that he is fighting too but on the side of homophobes. (watch this video from 1:17)
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Andre

X Factor Armenia judge. Andre was the first representative of Armenia in Eurovision in 2006.

On this video (from 26:40) from one of past seasons of X Factor Armenia he burst into homophobic rant when a participant dedicated his performance to IDAHOT. It’s hardly a secret who Andre really likes being with and which clubs he attends when in US or Europe.
***

To sum up:

You do not have to expose details of your private life. You do not have to be gay rights activist. But you don’t need to be a f*cking homophobic bully on TV or elsewhere. And if you do, there will be people out there to expose your hypocrisy.
***

P.S. I wonder if X Factor license that Shant TV - I assume - holds allows such displays of homophobic hatred.

British Council Armenia continues shameful collaboration with homophobic media

This seems like a deja vu.

"British Film Festival 12th Edition is organised by the British Council with the support of the British Embassy Yerevan, UNICEF and ArmenTel (brand name Beeline). In addition to showcasing the best of the British film industry of the recent years, training and competitions will be organised. […]
The information partners of the 12th British Film Festival are H2 TV station, Dar21 TV station, Laym TV station, Yerkir Media TV station, Shoghakat TV station, Civilnet, Public Radio, Radio Van, Radio Hay, Armradio FM 107 and Bravo.am, imyerevan.com, emporium.am."

The history of pretty close relationship between British Council in Armenia (more of their local staff) with the homophobic radio Van station was exposed by this blog back in 2010 [‘Champion of equality’ British Council Armenia sponsors homophobic radio station in Yerevan]. It took efforts for the former British ambassador in Armenia to make essential steps at damage control. And here we are again.

Only last week it was revealed that head of the radio Van station Shushanik is a member (“friends”) of “Griboedov” club in Yerevan, established by notorious “burn gay hearts” Putin propagandist Dmitry Kiselev. Indeed, Shushanik's utterly homophobic views earned Radio Van their place in Armenia: Homophobia Hall of Shame.

Not to mention some other questionable, to say the least, choices by the British Council Armenia, such as Yerkir Media TV, nationalist ARF Dashnaktsutyun outlet that was instrumental in instigating hatred towards gay friendly DIY bar firebombed in Armenia capital in 2012.

Ironically, festival’s web page mentions that “12th Edition dedicated to Inclusion and Communication”.

Ginosi Corporation suspends sponsorship of Radio Van upon discovering their homophobic ‘credentials’

Ginosi Corporation travel company suspends sponsorship of Yerevan based Armenian radio station Radio Van upon discovering their homophobic ‘credentials’. In a letter signed on 21 September 2011, head of the Corporation informed the management of Radio Van that they are “disappointed and feel put down by your organization” and announced suspension of all sponsorship plans “effective immediately”.

We recently learned with shock and regret of discriminatory remarks that Shushanik Arevshatyan has made about gays and lesbians on the radio station's official website/blog. This puts Ginosi.com as a corporate sponsor of Radio Van in an awkward position not only with respect to our gay and lesbian customers, employees and business relations but also as a company that views corporate social responsibility and equal opportunity in its business practices as a top priority.

[...] We feel necessitated to suspend all future sponsorship plans for Radio Van effective immediately. [...]

With this letter we say good bye to Radio Van and finally, we believe that a public apology by Radio Van to the LGBT community is in order.

Ginosi Corporation further announced that they will be reviewing their current policies and practices with respect to corporate sponsorship programmes “to ensure that we will never again unknowingly finance bigotry.”

For original letter in full, see Ginosi.com

My respects to Ginosi Corporation. I hope such an exemplary stance for human rights and against homophobia will set a trend for other companies in Armenia, Diaspora and elsewhere to follow.

I am encouraged that increasing number of people and companies, local and international organisations, agencies and institutions started paying attention and acting upon Armenia: Homophobia Hall of Shame.

There is always a way out from this list of shame. However, I will only remove organisations or individuals from the Hall of Shame if I become convinced that they made genuine efforts to move on leaving homophobia behind.

Armenian media semiar/workshop on LGBT rights and reporting 12-14 November 2010, Tsaghkadzor, Armenia

I will start from the end. Lara Aharonian, prominent human rights activist based in Yerevan, summed it up perfectly on her blog post: the atmosphere, the event, the outcome. This link - LGBT and journalists: a journey through tolerance and mafia game! - was among the most re-tweeted under the Twitter hashtag #armLGBT.

When I posted the link to her blog post on Twitter, @LGBTAsylumNews re-tweeted it by commenting: “fantastic report on grassroots LGBT work with media in Armenia by @Lara_Aha”

RT @unzippedblog fantastic report on grassroots LGBT work with media in Armenia by @Lara_Aha http://bit.ly/9coO1A #armLGBT

In a very recent past, I did criticise, at times pretty harsh, the British Council in Armenia for their failures in dealing with the LGBT related issues and effective (even if not intended) promotion of homophobic media outlets. Praise where praise is due. To the organiser - British Council Armenia, and participants, of course.

This type of workshops are exactly the type of initiatives that must be supported by bodies like the British Council if they want to promote and support changes for better in Armenia, and for real. While the immediate outcomes of this media workshop are indeed positive, its long-term success will depend on continuity of the process. Further media monitoring will give an idea whether this seminar made an impact (at least) on the work of those who participated.

Important update: Radio Van removed their joint highly praised #armLGBT media workshop article prepared by Arman from the radio station and Mamikon from PINK Armenia. I have to say, I am not surprised. I am (always!) ready to acknowledge positive changes, regardless of past history. But... Removal of this article means one thing to me. This particular radio station initially posted it to show off only. They didn't mean it. It was perhaps too honest for their 'standards'. You may still read the article (both parts) in full on Mamikon’s personal blog:

Ես կապ չունեմ նրանց հետ
Толерантность-шо це та ке?
***
And below are few more links prepared by participants following the media workshop.

ArmVersion:

Երկխոսությունը ծնում է հանդուրժողականություն
Խղճուկ ես դառնում, եթե պետությունը կողքիդ չի
***
Hetq Online:
Նա ընտրել է մարդկային հարաբերություններից ամենաբարդը
Lilit and Mary: Two Women Living Together in Armenia
***
Jenka’s blog
Ապրել այնպես, որ......
***
A1+:
Լուսանկարչուհին իրեն է պատկերել
Photostory by Svetlana Antonyan ('Ocean') on A1+: artist, gay, society...

***
Here are how the events were unfolded at the media workshop, as reported on Twitter by participants @Lara_Aha, @ditord and @mmkarmenia (with few additional tweets and comments [] by myself @unzippedblog).

Day 1: 12 November 2010

ditord
Media workshop in Tsakhadzor, #Armenia to bring together journalists and LGBT activists for team reporting projects #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
in Tsaghkatsor, Seminar on #LGBT rights and media in #Armenia 12-14 November, will be moderating discussion on #tolerance #ArmLGBT

unzippedblog
Follow @Lara_Aha @ditord @mmkarmenia for updates on #Armenia media seminar/workshop in Tsaghkadzor on #LGBT rights and reporting #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
#LGBT members and media people get to know each other, the ambiance a little tense but people r starting to open up #armLGBT #Armenia

Lara_Aha
@unzippedblog [present at media seminar are] journalists from A1+, hetq, Aravot, radio Van, Hraparak, Tert, IWPR #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
[also present at the seminar are] observers from #british Embassy, British council #armLGBT #armenia

Lara_Aha
@ditord is facilitating the introductions #armLGBT #armenia

Lara_Aha
the group is divided in 2: #LGBT and media. they will prepare a list of complaints against each other #armLGBT #armenia

Lara_Aha
the #LGBT community representatives expressed their concerns regarding media reporting and same the media group #armLGBT now will present

Lara_Aha
@ditord presenting the concerns and expectations of the media regarding the #LGBT community #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
radio van issue has been raised in the media group #armLGBT #armenia

Lara_Aha
What is the #LGBT community is expecting from the Armenian media? #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
media says: #LGBT community has to develop a better media strategy #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
media wants to know the needs of the #LGBT community in #Armenia #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
#LGBT community is presenting their concerns: first, use of language in the media, hamaseramol for example #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
second problem is the silence towards #LGBT issues in #Armenia media #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
3rd: lack of real investigation and references in articles related to #LGBT issues #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
misinformation distributed through media on #LGBT issues #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
another important concern: the fine line between hate speech and freedom of expression #LGBT #armLGBT #armenia

Lara_Aha
both sides presented, now the discussion starts between #LGBT and media #armLGBT #armenia

Lara_Aha
#LGBT representative is suggesting to present the right terminology regarding sexual orientation for use in media #armLGBT #Armenia

Lara_Aha
it's getting really hot in this conference room, heated debate #armLGBT #armenia

unzippedblog
@Lara_Aha You should all go for drinks afterwards :) #armLGBT

mmkarmenia
Changes are possible #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
@unzippedblog actually we will play mafia :) afterwards #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
@ditord is presenting "tolerance in media" #armLGBT #armenia

Lara_Aha
it seems that there is a good start for communication between #LGBT and media groups #armLGBT #armenia

Lara_Aha
62.5% of ethnic minority groups media coverage in #southcaucasus 2004-2006 #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
0.4% of sexual minority group media coverage in #southcaucasus, 2004-2006 #armLGBT #LGBT #armenia

Lara_Aha
ALM is the most tolerant towards ethnic minorities apparently in Armenian TV and Aravot among the newspapers #armLGBT #armenia

Lara_Aha
sexual minorities are the most active in using #socialmedia in #armenia for their cause #armLGBT #LGBT

Lara_Aha
[these are questionable projections] according to kinsey method, in #Armenia 4% of male pop. is gay and 2% of female population - aprox. 65 000 men and 18 000 women #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
Vahan Ishkhanyan talking about Charents' gay poems published in inqnaqir and the issue around it #armLGBT #armenia

mmkarmenia
Vahan Ishkhanyan is presenting Chatents's homoerotic poems #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
end of day one, seminar media and #LGBT - interesting discussions /insights #armLGBT #armenia

Day 2: 13 November 2010

mmkarmenia
day 2: preparing articles with media representatives #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
Day 2: media training seminar on #LGBT issues. Today participants are paired to write articles on the issue #armLGBT #armenia

mmkarmenia
me and Arman from radio Van will prepare an article together, hope it will not be the most boring in the group #armLGBT

mmkarmenia
What we did for journalists, don't know yet. What they changed in me, forced to write an article:) #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
the team will be back soon to present their story drafts, can't wait. Some of them even went out in the city to do an opinion poll #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
watching a documentary filmed by one of the participant journalists in 2004 but refused for hatuk goti [TV programme], entitled "dziadzzni dak" #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
now journalists are asking honest questions about #LGBT isues, to understand more and getting answers from the #LGBT reps. #armLGBT #armenia

mmkarmenia
Tomorrow morning you can read Arman's article on radio Van's blog, for me it is perfect #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
some of the group working on the articles #armLGBT http://yfrog.com/9d28gtj

Lara_Aha
first article MAmikon and Arman team http://bit.ly/cpS76O #armLGBT #armenia

mmkarmenia
oops, we were even faster, the article is ready: Mamikon from @pinkarmenia and Arman from radio Van. Enjoy it http://bit.ly/cpS76O #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
like it very much RT @pinkarmenia: the result of @mmkarmenia and Arman team work http://bit.ly/cpS76O #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
Arman and Mamikon team working #armLGBT http://yfrog.com/3ml6snqj

mmkarmenia
another post created by Janna from radio Van and Zara from WFCE http://t.co/KSKwvTU #armLGBT

Day 3: 14 November 2010

mmkarmenia
Day 3. Presention of team works. Actually 2 teams were faster and their articles were ready yesterday #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
Day 3: Media seminar on #LGBT issues in #Armenia: presentation of team-work articles #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
Arman from Radio Van is presenting his article and interpreting the comments http://bit.ly/cDkh1J #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
Mamik and Arman had a very constructive approach writing this article and reflected on the real problems in society on #tolerance #armLGBT

ditord
Presentation of results of joint work at #armLGBT first presentation by RadioVan http://goo.gl/V2l7E

Lara_Aha
172 people already read Arman's and Mamikon's post since yesterday night which shows the interest in this topic #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
"aper karogha sagh tertere gren vor menq estegh eyinq kaluboyneri het" ,- some men hanging around the hotel's swimming pool #armLGBT

ditord
@RadioVAN is asking here http://goo.gl/V2l7E Why are we more tolerant towards unfairness, but not to sexual minorities #armLGBT

ditord
comment on @mmkarmenia & @RadioVAN post http://goo.gl/V2l7E its easier to be against #armLGBT community than corrupt government officials

Lara_Aha
2nd article JEnya and Zara http://bit.ly/cw9qx9 on coming out - artagalusd #armLGBT

ditord
Zhenka / Zara's article http://goo.gl/dOrW9 is long, boring, too many figures, no specific issue is raised, but its a great start #armLGBT

mmkarmenia
I guess #armLGBT community do not have that much problems with journalists but each of them has problems in their groups

ditord
Gohar Hakobian of Aravot Daily is presenting results of 'vox pop' on the streets of Tsakhadzor. Results are funny! #armLGBT

ditord
In response to question what they think of #armLGBT, someone started complaining from lack of jobs and social problems #lol

ditord
Gohar Hakobian says Tsakhadzor ppl tolerant, because its a tourist place and they are used to seeing diverse groups #armLGBT

Lara_Aha
Gohar from Aravot and Karen from WFCE went out on the streets of Tsaxkatsor and did an opinion poll on #LGBT issues #armLGBT

ditord
can't really comment on Gohar Hakobian's article draft for Aravot Daily before it's published, interesting stuff though #armLGBT

ditord
Susan Simonian is presenting a feature article on gender change at #armLGBT workshop in tsakhadzor

ditord
Susan Simonian's feature paints a touching picture of #armLGBT minority's struggle to survive in a hostile environment. Depressing!

ditord
Susan Simonian's feature for #armLGBT woskshop has a success story. Yey! Love it!

mmkarmenia
Gayane from A1+ presented amazing video report about Ocean and her artwork #armLGBT

mmkarmenia
Lusine's real story presenting Vahe from Hetq. Another reality, another emotions and this is all about our lovely Lusine #armLGBT

ditord
Vahe's story prepared for #armLGBT workshop is rather controversial. Has lot's of good sides, but somehting bother's me about it

ditord
from mainstream journalism perspective, knowing potential negative feedback, I wouldn't publish Vahe's story as it is #armLGBT

mmkarmenia
Finalizing the seminar. Thanks to British Council for great initiative #armLGBT

unzippedblog
Thanks @Lara_Aha @mmkarmenia @ditord for excellent tweet-reporting from #armLGBT media seminar. Will sum up your tweets into a blog post.

Lara_Aha
seminar is officially over, it was an amazing experience and exceeded my expectations! i will be back with lots of energy and hope #armLGBT

unzippedblog
@Lara_Aha WOW. Well done, guys. I like what I am reading :) #armLGBT

Homophobe and into gay porn? Lucky you. You will be rewarded by British Council Armenia

After this: ‘Champion of equality’ British Council Armenia sponsors homophobic radio station in Yerevan

and this: Re: ‘Open Letter’ by Radio Van

...the ‘creative’ minds behind the radio station decided to unmask “these people” (that's how Radio Van refers to gays) to show how ‘disgusting’ they are by posting links to... X-rated posts from a blog that explicitly indicates upon access that it contains adult material.

И эти люди «запрещают нам ковыряться в носу» ["And these people "prohibit us from picking the nose"]

Obsessions with gay topics I may understand. But with the gay porn??? Oh my... Too absurd, even for Radio Van 'standards'.

But all the above did not stop the British Council Armenia to go ahead with their plans of partnership with the radio station. On Friday night they were out clubbing with the radio station to celebrate their ‘special bond’.

British Council Armenia aligns itself with homophobia

So, here we are. If you are homophobe, and especially if you are obsessed with the gay porn (yes, such combination is possible from a scientific point of view too, read this study), chances are you may be in luck and get a partnership deal by the British Council Armenia. That’s not all fun you may get. You may also celebrate your ‘special relationship’ by going out clubbing. British Council Armenia will make sure that you are fully rewarded.

eurOut: A look at LGBT rights in Armenia

UPDATE 29 April 2011: VO.X frontrunner Aram Rian has re-edited and replaced the controversial portion of the band’s "I Love Armenia" music video, by removing the reference to homosexuality as “perversion”. We have reached a mutual understanding with the group and consider this matter resolved as dialogue has taken place. We no longer have reason to believe either Aram Rian or VO.X is homophobic, and we wish them success in their future endeavors.
***
eurOut magazine (I recommend it!) - European LesBian News in Entertainment and Politics - posted an extended reflection on LGBT rights in Armenia.

In past, they have already reflected some of the highlights I posted on my blog.

Re: homophobic music video by Armenian band VO.X

Armenia

I don't get to write about Armenia much and I think it's a shame that when I do, it's in a negative way. In Armenian band VO.X's latest music video they list all the things that are wrong with the country, including perversion, with which they mean homosexuality (the segment appears around the 0:50 mark). To make matters worse, the band has gone out of their way this week to defend their stance, as if there's ever an excuse to be homophobic.

Re: British Council Armenia sponsoring homophobic radio station

Armenia / UK

The British Council - Armenia were contacted already earlier this year on the topic of sponsoring the openly homophobic radio station Radio Van. Back then, it seemed as if their tagline the Council is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity was important to them as they had the station remove lots of homophobic references from their webpage. Broadcasting was not monitored though and presenters and the head of the station were free to continue their discriminatory rants. And the British Council – Armenia only recently proudly announced a new cooperation with said radio station (via Unzipped: Gay Armenia).

***

Thanks to eurOut for keeping their readers informed about Armenia related events and linking to Unzipped: Gay Armenia and other LGBT related Armenian blogs.

Below are few extracts from their latest A look at LGBT rights in Armenia

[...] Apparently, it also has a homophobic radio station that is sponsored by the British Council Armenia. The blogger I linked to not only has a neat blog, but also has a list of Armenian LGBT blogs, links to information on LGBT rights in the South Caucasus region and a knowledge of current Armenian events you probably only have when you speak the language.

I recommend clicking that link, because I could of course repeat exactly what he says, but all I know is the British Council is an educational and cultural NGO which is responsible for things like English classes abroad and IELTS language tests. And although I don’t think any cultural and educational NGO should have links with any homophobic corporation, be it a radio station or a commercial brand or whatever, I believe there have been some issues with this particular radio station in the past which makes it especially strange that the British Council is still agreeing to sponsor its activities. [...]

Maybe I shouldn’t be writing so positively about Armenia, but Adrineh’s blog has given me some more positivity than I usually have. To me it says a lot that a person born and raised in Canada, which is a country that after all does have same-sex marriage and adoption rights and a lot of other solid protections under the law, would move to Armenia for love. Usually you see these things the other way round, which would in my opinion have been the easier option for the two of them. However, I also think that when more people like Adrineh, be it repatriates or expatriates, go to Armenia and stay there for a while, they will undoubtedly bring some changes and ideas with them. How Armenia is going to sort that out, is something we will have to wait and see.

Re: ‘Open Letter’ by Radio Van

Background info:

‘Champion of equality’ British Council Armenia sponsors homophobic radio station in Yerevan

Open letter by Radio Van
***

I did not know that criticising Radio Van and exposing its homophobia is equivalent to ‘damaging Armenia’s international reputation’. Familiar language they use, and that says it all.

Unzipped: Gay Armenia will always challenge homophobic organisations or individuals, regardless of their political or whatever affiliation, or those who support them. I will always reflect whatever I find positive and praise-worthy in Armenia. I will always expose, challenge and criticise human rights violations or societal injustices in Armenia. The way I see and feel it. This is my way of loving Armenia, and I do not need your or anyone else’s ‘lectures on patriotism’.

Head of radio station cites her views on gay adoption and marriage as reasons for the outrage against the radio station. No, Ms. Arevshatyan, your anti- gay adoption or marriage views were so mild compared to everything else you’ve said that I never paid attention or mentioned them on my blog.

“Sterilization and isolation” (“Стерилизовать и в резервацию!”) - this reflects your real views about LGBT people.

I do believe that people can change. I believe in power of education. However, engagement is a right option with those whose intentions are genuine.

‘Open Letter’ by Radio Van, with its somewhat aggressive tone and ending, proves that the radio station did not change and did not recognise its mistakes (to put it mildly), and all these mentions of “engagement” or “dialogue” are disingenuous. You must come clean first and open up new page for the Radio Van, page free of hatred.

Until then, any support or sponsorship for the radio station by organisations such as British Council, BMI etc I will consider against fundamental human rights and for promoting homophobia in Armenia.

‘Champion of equality’ British Council Armenia sponsors homophobic radio station in Yerevan

British Council Armenia
We're throwing a party to launch The Selector, a radio programme featuring the latest music from the UK! Radio Van will be broadcasting the show throughout the year and you have the chance to win great prizes by tuning in to Radio Van and coming to our party at Lake Sevan. See you there! 

...and on the event's page: 

The British Council Armenia and Radio Van are happy to announce the launch of The Selector radio programme in Armenia. We are having a big party to mark this occasion and you are invited! [...]
Besides dancing and fun, you’ve also got the chance to win great prizes in a lottery! A return ticket to London for one person and an unforgettable and all-inclusive weekend for two at Arthurs Resort in Aghveran are up for grabs. A big thanks to BMI and Arthurs Resort for providing the prizes!
Besides the great music that The Selector offers, there is another great reason to tune in to Radio Van’s broadcast of the show throughout the year. You can win another return ticket to London to attend The Selector annual party, a prize once again provided by BMI.

***

Reading these announcements on Facebook, I could not believe my eyes. I was outraged and utterly disappointed with the decision by British Council Armenia to sponsor and support homophobic radio station in Yerevan.

Earlier this year, this blog exposed institutional homophobia and hatred within the Radio Van, with the head of radio station ‘fully agreeing’ with neo-nazi views expressed on their corporate blog. This ‘inspired’ me for launching Armenia: Homophobia Hall of Shame. Back then, I did express my firm belief that promoting hate should not be profitable in Armenia. Apparently, British Council in Armenia does not share such views.

I also pointed out at sponsorship by British Embassy in Armenia for a project within the radio station aimed at... promoting European integration (!!).

British Ambassador in Armenia was quick to intervene and reassured that the embassy was unaware of the homophobic material, the Euro project was agreed long before and now completed, and they “do not have any other current projects with Radio Van”. Thanks to that intervention, main homophobic materials were removed from the Radio Van’s corporate blog. However, that removal was simply a technical act. Head of radio station Shushanik made it clear on several occasions that her views did not change, that she was forced to remove materials, and the radio station never publicly acknowledged or distanced from their homophobic past, which never really became ‘past’ but continued to be ‘present’.

‘Marking’ International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), 17 May 2010, head of Radio Van Shushanik effectively and literally compared gays to... ‘sh*t’, cleverly using a seemingly not gay related citation and effectively equaling fight against homophobia with that against ‘sh*tophobia’. (link)

And here we are, our ‘champion of equality’ British Council Armenia happily sponsoring projects with such radio station and making joint invitations to a fancy beach party with “great prizes”. ...If this is “the freedom of expression and the diversity of views” British Council Armenia “respects”, then no comments, indeed.

In reply to my outrage and disappointment with their sponsorship of homophobic organisation, British Council Armenia came out with a relatively long response which contained quite a few but somehow irrelevant references to “equality” and “diversity” and did not address in any way my concerns re homophobia.

“The British Council values Equality and Diversity and aims to establish cooperation with individuals and organisations representing the diversity of Armenia and the world. We also respect the freedom of expression and the diversity of views, at the same time we always do our best to promote our values of Equality and Diversity among our partners and beneficiaries and to ensure that no discrimination occurs in the framework of our partnership initiatives and all the project stakeholders are treated with respect. In regard to this particular project, we would like to stress that this partnership has its history since 2003 when The Selector was being broadcast by RadioVan. Moreover this is a true non-commercial partnership thanks to which it has been possible to revive  the Selector in Armenia and bring our audiences the best of British music as we believe that Art is one of the most powerful media for establishing intercultural dialogue and promoting positive social change. We do hope that you will enjoy this initiative and that it will help us strengthen the links between Armenia and the UK."

No, I won’t and I cannot enjoy any initiative which promotes or sponsors homophobic groups in Armenia or elsewhere. This is not the way to “strengthen the links between Armenia and the UK”.

All these references to “Equality” and “Diversity” are totally devalued if, on one hand, the British Council sponsors ‘silent’ posters against discrimination, but in practice loudly sponsors homophobic radio station with fancy launch parties. This sponsorship by British Council clearly contradicts declared British Foreign Policy directives in promoting equality, human rights, including LGBT rights, worldwide. Moreover, not only British Council in Armenia is not ashamed of these connections, it proudly announces involvement of at least one other British institution, BMI, in sponsoring of this project with “great prizes”. I assume - or I want to believe - that BMI is not aware of homophobic nature of the organisation they are sponsoring.

Shameful.

United in laugh and homophobia: Armenia “purest” police chief and media outlets

There were times when you could read here and there that “there are no gays in Armenia”. Well, those times have passed, and could be remembered with smile on our face. Now there is another trend: “there are no gays in this or that Department/Ministry/field...”

Couple of months ago, it was Armenian Army representative who made such ridiculous claims, which were instantly laughed at by Russian language gay websites. Today it’s Armenia police chief’s turn.

Watch this video (AM) towards the end. Pay attention how Armenia police chief and media representatives laughing together when discussing this whole ‘gay/police day’ thingy. They [media, and then police chief] created this fake ‘coincidence’ story, and won’t let it go away despite it being an utter lie and ignorance. Why would they? It’s just a chance to have a good laugh with “the purest” police chief. Apparently, that’s their definition of ‘having fun’.

Armenia police chief Alik Sargsyan statements are ridiculous, outrageous, and bigoted.

He says that Armenian police is “the purest”; there are only “real men” working in police; there never was, and God forbid, never will be anyone with “disorders of [sexual] orientation” there.

«Ոստիկանությունը ամենամաքուրն է եւ ամենազերծը նման բաներից. ոստիկանությունում իսկական տղամարդիկ են աշխատում ամեն ինչով, եւ կողմնորոշման որեւէ խախտում, Աստված չանի, երբեք չի նկատվել եւ չի նկատվի»,-ասաց Ալիկ Սարգսյան: (A1+)

This is a very clear display of homophobia, and human rights violation by Armenia police chief.

In any civilised country, such statements by police chief would lead to media and public outcry and calls for resignation, or at the very least - apology. In Armenia, this leads to a united laugh of media representatives and Armenia police chief.

There is popular saying in Russian, good for this occasion: “Смеётся тот, кто смеётся последним”

And here is the latest from our “purest” police where only “real men” work.

Armenian police: shoot to kill?

P.S. (UPDATE 20 April 2010: apparently, I was too quick to refer to a "positive change" in this radio station - see comments section below) I have to say, that during this whole ‘gay/police day’ saga, Radio Van was one of the very few media representatives which avoided copy/pasting wrong info from other outlets. They made a blog post with appropriate picture, video, and a brief audio interview with the head of PINK Armenia Mamikon Hovsepyan explaining the real meaning of the day. Ironically, this is the radio station which ‘inspired’ me to launch Homophobia Hall of Shame. As I mentioned back then, “The purpose [of the Hall of Shame] is to show that hate is wrong. Hate is not cool. Hate should NOT be profitable. And there are always ways out. You just have to want to get out and make efforts to change yourself for better, to free yourself of hate.”

Lately, I see positive changes in the radio station’s policy, and if this trend continues, I will take them out of the Hall of Shame after 17 May (International Day Against Homophobia).

For now, I updated the Hall of Shame by including Armenia police chief Alik Sargsyan.

Playing low: Radio Van in Yerevan promotes hatred and homophobia

Head of radio station Shushanik “absolutely agree” with the views of a neo-nazi

...Starting with the title of Wednesday’s announcement - a radio programme to discuss “the problem of homosexuality in Armenia”. Then a ‘breaking discovery’ by the representative of Radio Van that gay Armenians successfully use social networking or online dating websites... How come... But the ‘icing on the cake’ was the fact they dubbed a disgraced politician-turned-ecologist-turned-pastor-turned-bigot no one- Khachik Stamboltsyan an “expert” and “publicist” (публицист) (see examples of some of his past ‘expert opinions’ (1; 2; 3), or today’s marazmovedenie). They wanted to make a PR headline for their radio station using gay Armenian guy as a toy. They wanted a circus, and they made a circus of themselves.

That for Radio Van homosexuality is a “problem”, became evident after the relatively recent cultural shock Shushanik, head of the radio station, experienced in Spain.

Apparently, ladies and gentlemen, the head of Radio Van - Shushanik - was a closeted homophobe who comes out with blogging. She could not stand that her beloved Spain has transformed into a society of free minded people with laws that give gay men and women equal rights similar to heterosexuals, including that of marriage.

Back home in Yerevan, she started seeing gays everywhere - in cafes, streets, airports... Oh, but she forgot to look at her immediate surrounding. She could have been ‘pleasantly’ surprised.

Shushanik got so carried away by hate that she “absolutely agree” - in determination to exterminate gays - with an Armenian neo-nazi who uses swastika as his livejournal userpic. This is perhaps one of the most disgraceful exchange of comments I have ever seen in Armenian media. On one side is a neo-nazi, on the other side - head of radio station saying ‘’I absolutely agree with you” to a... neo-nazi.

Below is an extract via comments section to one of Shushanik’s homophobic blog posts.

Արորդի 16:19 on Сентябрь 18, 2009
Գոմիկների «իրավունքները», «կարմիր խնձորի» թաղումը և սեռական սանձարձակության տարածման միջոցով ընտանիքի ինստիտուտի քայքայումը, «ընտանիքի պլանավորիչները»` այդ ամենը գործիք է, որ կրճատեն Արիական քաղաքակրթության կրողների քանակը և իվերջո, արիացի ազգերի «քոքը կտրեն»: Դա ագրեսիայի շատ վտանգավոր տեսակ է, դա սողացող ցեղասպանության ձև է: Ուստի` քանի դեռ կա առողջ մեծամասնություն, այն ԻՐԱՎՈՒՆՔ ունի և ՊԱՐՏԱՎՈՐ է ցանկացած միջոցներով հակահարված տալ այդ վիժվածքների: Դա կլինի ընդամենը ԱՌՈՂՋ ԻՆՔՆԱՊԱՇՏՊԱՆՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ


shushanik 03:58 on Сентябрь 19, 2009
я абсолютно согласна с вами. Если делать демократичное лицо и делать вид,что то, что происходить ,нас не касается ,то это зло,да и не тольео это,очень быстро проникнет во все сферы жизни, как сейчас и происходит. У меня такое ощущение,что выполнятся очень важный стратегический план против человечества, и он похуже всех панэпидемий. Человечество планировано уничтожается ,разными методами- насаждение наркотивок,насилия, обесценивание всего того,что накопило человечество,однополые браки. Если равнодушно смотреть на все это, катастрофа приблизится неминуемо. Мы же боремся против наркотиков и пьянства, мы же посемествно говорим о вреде курения,огромными буквами выписывая предупреждения на сигарентых пачках? А однополые браки опасны не для физического здоровья,а морального и духовного. Однозначно считаю,что либеральничать нельзя. » Стерилизовать и в резервацию!» Мы уже опоздали, посмотрите,что уже делается в нашем городе?! Вы видели официантов в кафе? Они же в большинстве уже голубые,как они ходят, как разговаривают, как кокетничают при виде мужчины. Фу,гадость! Если ничего не делать,это значит обречь следующее поколение наших внуков на явную однополую любовь. Народ,опомнитесь, какая демократия?Давайте тогда будем защищать права наркоманов, права пьяниц, быть терпименее к юным токсикаманам, до чего мы тогда докатимся????

Head of Radio Van Shushanik and some of her employees promote views that deny people’s dignity and endanger their lives... Radio Van is so OUT of my playlist.

‘EURO’ Radio Van supported by British Embassy in Armenia

Apparently, this radio station got sponsored by British Embassy in Armenia for a radio project aimed at... promoting European integration (!!). I assume that British Embassy, like many others, was unaware of endemic hatred and homophobia in this radio station. Well, now they know... Promoting hate should NOT be profitable in Armenia.

Armenia: Homophobia Hall of Shame

Starting today, there will be a new page on my blog - Armenia: Homophobia Hall of Shame. Any organisation or individual in Armenia and Diaspora that promotes homophobia will be eligible for the entry. Whenever appropriate or available, link will be placed next to the name with the example(s) of hatred.

First entrants to the Hall are Iravunk newspaper and Radio Van. More entries to follow, including based on my past postings. Not a company one should be proud of. Of course, it’s very possible that Ms. Shushanik will consider this nomination an honour. If that’s the case - congrats.

No, putting individuals or organisations to the Hall of Shame does not bring me pleasure. I wish the Hall is empty or does not exit at all. It won’t be your usual blacklist. That’s not the main purpose. The purpose is to show that hate is wrong. Hate is not cool. Hate should NOT be profitable. And there are always ways out. You just have to want to get out and make efforts to change yourself for better, to free yourself of hate.

If you think of collaborating with or sponsoring an individual or organisation in Armenia and /or Diaspora, use this list as an exclusion criteria.