"No more homophobia, fascism in Armenia" - message from Stockholm Gay Pride

"No more homophobia, fascism in Armenia" - message on a poster carried during the Stockholm Gay Pride march in Sweden.
 

This is a clear reference to an alarmingly increased wave of homophobia in Armenia, with firebombing of gay friendly DIY bar and disruption of Diversity march in capital Yerevan by neo-nazi elements. These all being accompanied by continuous high level hate-filled speeches and actions from MPs and state officials. Few days ago firebombers of DIY bar were effectively pardoned.

In addition, Gay Star News reports that "this year’s Stockholm Pride is special because it is the first to explicitly invite LGBT Russians to Sweden, giving them a safe haven from the anti-gay ‘propaganda’ laws signed by President Vladimir Putin in June."

Safura to perform at Stockholm gay pride festival

According to local media, Azerbaijan representative at Eurovision 2010 Safura is "set for departure to Sweden, where she will be living for 5 upcoming years. As Safura told the journalists, she will remain in Sweden, where she is expected to record a new music album with a live orchestra. Safura also said, that a European tour is also in the plans."

Oikotimes reports that Safura will be performing at Sweden's gay pride event:

"Today it was announced that Safura from Azerbaijan will perform during the “Schlager evening” at Stockholm Gay Pride Festival. In the press release Safura says that she loves Stockholm. It is her favorite city and she is honored to perform at the Stockholm Pride.

The company behind Safura, Zaphire Group, is partly owned by Anders Bagge who is the Swedish composer of “Drip Drop”. The company has been asked to compose the official song for Stockholm Pride 2010.

“Schlager evening” is one of the most popular events during the festival and will take place on the 29th July in the Pride Park. It is an evening filled with Eurovision and Melodifestivalen artists. Most of the artists are kept as a secret but today three of this year’s MF artists were confirmed: NEO, Jenny Silver and Hanna Lindblad."

*picture - via Eurovision.tv