He is part of a record number of at least 36 out LGBTQ athletes in Beijing Winter Olympics.
Simon partnered with Armenian-Canadian Tina Garabedian for ice dancing competition.
վճարված է|paid
6 years ago
Showing posts with label sport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sport. Show all posts
Sunday, 13 February 2022
Figure skating: openly gay ice dancer Simon Proulx-Sénécal represents Armenia at Beijing Olympics
Simon Proulx Sénécal (wiki: link; insta: @simsenecal), Canadian-born figure skater, represents Team Armenia at the Beijing Olympic Games. The 2022 Games is the first for the out Armenian national champion. [HRC]
Monday, 25 November 2019
New Armenia: Revolution in the minds as PM Nikol Pashinyan stands up for trans weightlifting champion and against censorship
This was perhaps the most revolutionary speech that Armenia PM Nikol Pashinyan made so far. He stood up for human rights despite conservative hate groups’ backlash against (partial) state financing of the film re Armenian trans weightlifting champion, and offered his unwavering support to Mel. Inspirational and unprecedented for Armenia.
*video: 13 November 2019, PM Pashinyan answering MPs questions
[Of course, there were some problematic wording and passages in his speech, but the key here is to consider the context and view it as a whole.]
There is a huge resistance to the Revolution and its ideals from old regime linked circles. Left without usual source of illegal earnings but still able to utilise their illegal wealth and connections in state institutions and media, they try to sabotage and discredit Armenia’s new leadership.
Since the Velvet Revolution, old regime forces manipulated public agenda by exploiting LGBT rights and putting them against ‘national values’. After months of hesitation and trying to avoid directly addressing any LGBT-related issues, (I hope) government understood that without firmly and unequivocally supporting human rights for all, they simply leave more space for old corrupt circles and their proxies to keep manipulating it more and more, shrinking the space for reforms.
This speech followed another important one against censorship. Finally, Armenia has a PM who publicly confronts calls for censorship/limiting freedom of expression in art, culture etc. I love how he brought up an example of Charents. He could have gone further by quoting Charents homoerotic poetry, but hey, may be next time…
*video: 4 November 2019, PM Pashinyan live on his Facebook page
Few days before, a similar statement was issued by the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Arayik Harutyunyan. This is what I expect from state reps in New Armenia: firm no to censorship without any conditional language. I hope these words will be evidenced in practice.
As frequently (if not always) in modern Armenia history, Dashnaks are on the wrong side of it. They manipulated this occasion and started actions against the reformist minister but ultimately against the government and PM. They supported hatred, discrimination, homophobia and transphobia under the disguise of fight against educational reforms and for ‘national values’.
Bizarre things happening in Armenia: government (!) advocates against censorship in arts/culture, while some cultural reps argue for censorship; government wants to give universities greater independence re choosing courses, while some students & uni reps prefer having compulsory subjects…
Also related: Ultra-nationalists Outraged by Outdoor Contemporary Dance Performance in Yerevan
*Trailer of documentary film re Armenian trans weightlifting champion Mel: “Mel and Meline"/"Մել" ֆիլմի թրեյլերը
And not to forget the shameful open letter by number of sport federations and sport personalities against trans weightlifting champion Mel. It is utterly shameful and simply disgusting on so many levels. It illustrates how much hatred, homophobia and transphobia embedded in Armenia sport. To see so many united against ONE? Despicable. I never saw such unity by them for any good cause.
To remind, all those sport federations were (still are) affiliated with old regime reps and oligarchs, including BHK (‘Prosperous Armenia’) party head Gagik Tsarukyan (nicknamed ‘Dodi Gago’). They turned them into corrupt business enterprises to exert influence and keep sport under their control.
Ironically, newly appointed national ambassador for UNICEF Armenia - Olympic champion wrestler Artur Aleksanyan, is among the signatories. And until now, UNICEF Armenia office failed to act on this, instead promoting him further. Also, at least 3 of the signatories were charged over doping scandal. As they say: “գողն առաջինն է բղավում` բռնեք գողին” [the thief screams first - catch the thief]
*This is how I see New Armenia - full of colours. Picture - via Grigor Yeritsyan’s FB page, WCIT (World Congress on Information Technology) 2019 concert on Republic sq., Yerevan, 6 October 2019
The Velvet Revolution was an incredible event of historic significance for Armenia when people succeeded to change corrupt illegitimate regime. But in order for the Velvet Revolution to succeed, it needs to get transformed into a revolution in the minds.
Recent events culminated by Nikol Pashinyan’s speech effectively launched that very phase of the Revolution. Difficult road ahead but hopeful if successful - for all Armenia citizens, whether champion or not.
*video: 13 November 2019, PM Pashinyan answering MPs questions
[Of course, there were some problematic wording and passages in his speech, but the key here is to consider the context and view it as a whole.]
There is a huge resistance to the Revolution and its ideals from old regime linked circles. Left without usual source of illegal earnings but still able to utilise their illegal wealth and connections in state institutions and media, they try to sabotage and discredit Armenia’s new leadership.
Since the Velvet Revolution, old regime forces manipulated public agenda by exploiting LGBT rights and putting them against ‘national values’. After months of hesitation and trying to avoid directly addressing any LGBT-related issues, (I hope) government understood that without firmly and unequivocally supporting human rights for all, they simply leave more space for old corrupt circles and their proxies to keep manipulating it more and more, shrinking the space for reforms.
This speech followed another important one against censorship. Finally, Armenia has a PM who publicly confronts calls for censorship/limiting freedom of expression in art, culture etc. I love how he brought up an example of Charents. He could have gone further by quoting Charents homoerotic poetry, but hey, may be next time…
*video: 4 November 2019, PM Pashinyan live on his Facebook page
Few days before, a similar statement was issued by the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Arayik Harutyunyan. This is what I expect from state reps in New Armenia: firm no to censorship without any conditional language. I hope these words will be evidenced in practice.
«Նախարարն ընդգծեց՝ Հայաստանում այլևս չի լինելու սատանիզմի հիմքով, այլ մտացածին հիմքերով համերգներ չեղարկելը: Արվեստը լինելու է ազատ, որովհետև անկախ պետության կարևորագույն գրավականներից մեկն ազատ արվեստն է: Ոլորտի գերատեսչության ղեկավարի խոսքով՝ որոշ մարդիկ, ովքեր փորձում են քաղաքական դիվիդենտներ հավաքել, հետադիմության առաջամարտիկներ են: «Այո՛, մարդիկ կարող են որոշակի սկզբունքներից ելնելով՝ ասել, որ այս արժեքն իմը չէ: Մենք պետք է հարգանքով մոտենանք մեր այդ քաղաքացիներին, այդ խմբերին: Բայց արվեստում ցենզուրա սահմանելն անթույլատրելի է», - շեշտեց նա:Consider this also within the context of proposed radical reforms in education which are key in changing people’s mentality. Here we are: real issues vs manipulations by old regime and connected with them ARF Dashnaktsutyun party.
As frequently (if not always) in modern Armenia history, Dashnaks are on the wrong side of it. They manipulated this occasion and started actions against the reformist minister but ultimately against the government and PM. They supported hatred, discrimination, homophobia and transphobia under the disguise of fight against educational reforms and for ‘national values’.
Bizarre things happening in Armenia: government (!) advocates against censorship in arts/culture, while some cultural reps argue for censorship; government wants to give universities greater independence re choosing courses, while some students & uni reps prefer having compulsory subjects…
Also related: Ultra-nationalists Outraged by Outdoor Contemporary Dance Performance in Yerevan
*Trailer of documentary film re Armenian trans weightlifting champion Mel: “Mel and Meline"/"Մել" ֆիլմի թրեյլերը
And not to forget the shameful open letter by number of sport federations and sport personalities against trans weightlifting champion Mel. It is utterly shameful and simply disgusting on so many levels. It illustrates how much hatred, homophobia and transphobia embedded in Armenia sport. To see so many united against ONE? Despicable. I never saw such unity by them for any good cause.
To remind, all those sport federations were (still are) affiliated with old regime reps and oligarchs, including BHK (‘Prosperous Armenia’) party head Gagik Tsarukyan (nicknamed ‘Dodi Gago’). They turned them into corrupt business enterprises to exert influence and keep sport under their control.
Ironically, newly appointed national ambassador for UNICEF Armenia - Olympic champion wrestler Artur Aleksanyan, is among the signatories. And until now, UNICEF Armenia office failed to act on this, instead promoting him further. Also, at least 3 of the signatories were charged over doping scandal. As they say: “գողն առաջինն է բղավում` բռնեք գողին” [the thief screams first - catch the thief]
The Velvet Revolution was an incredible event of historic significance for Armenia when people succeeded to change corrupt illegitimate regime. But in order for the Velvet Revolution to succeed, it needs to get transformed into a revolution in the minds.
Recent events culminated by Nikol Pashinyan’s speech effectively launched that very phase of the Revolution. Difficult road ahead but hopeful if successful - for all Armenia citizens, whether champion or not.
Sunday, 30 June 2013
People, sport, fun and cakes - London Gay Pride 2013
Read also:
Google at London Gay Pride 2013: "Gaygle"
Love, the queen, equal marriage, the colours - key themes of the London Gay Pride 2013
Queer Resistance and Solidarity: Putin - homophobia czar, ResIstanbul, Free Bradley Manning, and more... (London Gay Pride 2013)
***
...spotted someone with a Patajanov-like hat
...post-parade drinks and music in Soho
Google at London Gay Pride 2013: "Gaygle"
Love, the queen, equal marriage, the colours - key themes of the London Gay Pride 2013
Queer Resistance and Solidarity: Putin - homophobia czar, ResIstanbul, Free Bradley Manning, and more... (London Gay Pride 2013)
***
...spotted someone with a Patajanov-like hat
...post-parade drinks and music in Soho
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Hot Chip - Don't Deny Your Heart... in football
...and then people wonder why I love football ;))
*Via Towleroad: Male Footballers Can't Deny Their Lust for One Another in Hot Chip's New Video: WATCH
*Via Towleroad: Male Footballers Can't Deny Their Lust for One Another in Hot Chip's New Video: WATCH
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Thursday, 24 May 2012
Armenia Football Federation president Ruben Hayrapetyan ‘against terrorism’ but ‘ready to punish gays and eradicate from society’
Homophobic hysteria in Armenia continues. Now president of Football Federation, MP of the ruling Republican party Ruben Hayrapetyan, reflecting firebombing of DIY bar, says he “condemns terrorism” but “in favour of punishing gays and ready to do it myself”. “We should think of another way of punishing to eradicate them from our society.” Someone on Facebook proposed new nickname for him - ‘fascist Rubo’.
Այսօր Aravot.am-ը ՀՖՖ նախագահ, ԱԺ պատգամավոր Ռուբեն Հայրապետյանից հետաքրքրվեց, թե DIY ակումբը պայթեցնելու դեպքի մասին ի՞նչ կարծիք ունի եւ ինքը պայթեցնողների՞ կողմնակիցն է, թե՞ ակումբի պաշտպանների: Նա պատասխանեց. «Նախ, ցանկացած ժամանակ տեռորը դատապարտված է իմ կողմից եւ վատ բան է: Իհարկե, դեմ եմ պայթեցնելուն, բայց միասեռականներին պատժելուն ես երկու ձեռով եմ կողմ եւ պատրաստ եմ նույնիսկ անել դա»:
Պարոն Հայրապետյանը չի ընդունում ակումբը պայթեցնելու միջոցով միասեռականներին եւ լեսբուհիներին պատժելու տարբերակը: Նրա խոսքերով՝ «Դա պատժելու ձեւ չի: Ավելի ուրիշ ձեւ պետք է մտածել՝ նրանց այս հասարակությունից ուղղակի վերացնել: Դրանց դեմ ամեն ձեւ էլ կարելի է պայքարել՝ բացի տրաքացնելուց ու պայթեցնելուց»:
Երեւանում բազմազանության երթ, որը շատերը «գեյ շքերթ» են համարել, անցկացնելու մասին տեղեկությանը Ռուբեն Հայրապետյանի սիրտը չդիմացավ: Նա բռնեց սիրտն ու ասաց. «Խնդրում եմ ես ձեզ, նենց բաներ եք ասում, որ ես վատանում եմ: Ես այս երկիրն ու ժողովրդին շա՜տ եմ սիրում, վախեցա»:
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Armenian water polo team from LA
Cute swimwear. And this water polo team from LA looking hot.
For details and problems this sport and teams encounter in Armenia and Diaspora - read here (English brief version - here).
*picture - via sport.news.am
Saturday, 3 March 2012
Friday, 3 February 2012
Homoerotic photo-exhibit of Turkish wrestlers “Ottoman Fight Club” in London
I missed this exhibit in London but below are selected pics (& quotes) of Jamie McLeod’s mainly black and white portraits of Turkish wrestlers “Ottoman Fight Club”. (via Dalston Superstore and Jamie McLeod)
This exhibit was Time Out London “critics’ choice” for gay-themed events last week.
***
“I was interested in portraits and capturing the character and not documenting the actual sport.” comments McLeod.
“These images are not mere homoerotic fantasy pictures in the vein of Bruce Weber but an in-depth study of Turkish ethnicity and male sexuality through the body. “I’m interested in the sensuality of the male physique and the mystery of the face, and the hidden surprise behind the eyes” McLeod says. “I’m also fascinated by civilization and heritage. In Turkey you will find the classic Arabic-type face, Ottoman, Asiatic, Kurdish, Gypsy, Greek, Roman, Jewish and Georgian-type faces – all of which encompass the country’s rich and diverse cultural and heritage. Turkey is the stepping-stone between Eastern Europe, Asia and the Middle East so there is a strong mix of all these people.”
[Unzipped: Gay Armenia - I wonder if the artist is actually able to discern between all these “face types” and if he has any perception of “Armenian-type face” :)]
“It is not possible to discern what era these photographs were taken, as there is no reference to the modern day world, the photographs look and feel as if they could have been taken anytime over the last 100 years. McLeod is also enchanted by how brutal and beautiful they are –with their cast of non-classical semi-nudes captured like the warriors and heroes that McLeod believes them to be.
[...] The way Turkish men and boys interact with each other, massaging and caressing and laying together resting after the games and before fights. Male tenderness between each other is common in the Middle East and, quite often, it is only an expression of brotherly love – but it is something men in the west are scared to express without being labelled homosexual, McLeod believes.
“When Westerners see my photos they normally ask me if this is a gay festival and I laugh and say, sadly, no. It’s amazing to think just because men can express open affection towards each other through the way we would normally express it in heterosexuality, we conclude they are homosexual of which most of them are not. However the issue of sexuality in Turkey and the Middle East remains complicated.”
This exhibit was Time Out London “critics’ choice” for gay-themed events last week.
***
“I was interested in portraits and capturing the character and not documenting the actual sport.” comments McLeod.
“These images are not mere homoerotic fantasy pictures in the vein of Bruce Weber but an in-depth study of Turkish ethnicity and male sexuality through the body. “I’m interested in the sensuality of the male physique and the mystery of the face, and the hidden surprise behind the eyes” McLeod says. “I’m also fascinated by civilization and heritage. In Turkey you will find the classic Arabic-type face, Ottoman, Asiatic, Kurdish, Gypsy, Greek, Roman, Jewish and Georgian-type faces – all of which encompass the country’s rich and diverse cultural and heritage. Turkey is the stepping-stone between Eastern Europe, Asia and the Middle East so there is a strong mix of all these people.”
[Unzipped: Gay Armenia - I wonder if the artist is actually able to discern between all these “face types” and if he has any perception of “Armenian-type face” :)]
“It is not possible to discern what era these photographs were taken, as there is no reference to the modern day world, the photographs look and feel as if they could have been taken anytime over the last 100 years. McLeod is also enchanted by how brutal and beautiful they are –with their cast of non-classical semi-nudes captured like the warriors and heroes that McLeod believes them to be.
[...] The way Turkish men and boys interact with each other, massaging and caressing and laying together resting after the games and before fights. Male tenderness between each other is common in the Middle East and, quite often, it is only an expression of brotherly love – but it is something men in the west are scared to express without being labelled homosexual, McLeod believes.
“When Westerners see my photos they normally ask me if this is a gay festival and I laugh and say, sadly, no. It’s amazing to think just because men can express open affection towards each other through the way we would normally express it in heterosexuality, we conclude they are homosexual of which most of them are not. However the issue of sexuality in Turkey and the Middle East remains complicated.”
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