Embassy of Sweden in Yerevan delivers Valentine’s note featuring gay couple

Perfect Valentine’s note from the embassy of Sweden in Yerevan featuring gay couple holding hands.

Good to see they posted this both on their Facebook page and Twitter.

Respects!

Eurovision 2016: Armenia’s Iveta Mukuchyan, South Caucasus and more

When I first saw Iveta Mukuchyan’s music video of the song "Love Wave", I have to be honest, my first impression was like: oh well, ok-ish song, beautiful singer, problems with enunciation, but nothing special, apart from featuring hot enigmatic Swedish model Ben Dahlhaus.

I was hoping that presence of Ben on the stage in Sweden will do the trick to add an element of excitement and anticipation.

 *picture - via Ben Dahlhaus FB page 

*Ben Dahlhaus Instagram

But…

Only when I saw Iveta performing live during the Eurovision rehearsals, she really did make an impact on me. Her vocals are quite strong, and she owns the stage during the performance. Good job, Iveta.



It’s amusing to read comments dubbing her Armenian Beyonce :))

There is no doubts for me that she will easily qualify from the semifinal. The question is how far up top she will manage to reach during the finals. Wiwibloggs reviewers seem totally impressed.

Here is a music video of "Ari Yar" by Iveta Mukuchyan, full of diversity, and I like it. I want to see more such works from Iveta.



Btw, as part of Eurovision promotional tour, Iveta hosted Malta’s Ira Losco in Yerevan.

*picture via oikotimes

Here is the fact that was not highlighted by Public TV in Armenia: Ira Losco is a vocal advocate for LGBT rights.

I wish the day will come when I can say the same about Armenia representative at Eurovision. And I wish one day ‘Eurovision Armenia’ will proudly present such messages on their FB page.

Considering the high level of homophobia in Armenia and in line with the tunes of her song, I want to hear from Iveta a powerful all-inclusive message of love. Yes, with specific mention of LGBT people too.

Re other South Caucasus entries:

Azerbaijan: Samra is a beautiful singer with catchy song, but vocally she is the weakest among the South Caucasus entries.

Georgia: Nika Kocharov and Young Georgian Lolitaz are the least conventional among South Caucasus entries.

Great band, including musicians of mixed Georgian and Armenian roots.

*picture via esckaz

Here is a performance of "Gay Swimmer" (yes, you read it right! pay attention to the background of the picture above too) by the band.



However, I am not sure about the choice of their song “Midnight Gold” for Eurovision. Still, best of luck to Nika and Young Georgian Lolitaz.

Another singer to keep an eye on is Ukraine’e entry Jamala, of mixed Crimean Tatar (father) and Armenia (mother) origin. She will present with the song “1944” aimed at Russia, a tragic tale about deportation of the Crimean Tatars.

And finally, I really like France entry this year, and Russia’s Sergey Lazarev will certainly do well.

British and Swedish ambassadors in Yerevan and Tbilisi mark IDAHOT 2015, while others kept silence

Great statement from the British Embassy in Yerevan and Ambassador Kathy Leach to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

Glad to see the UK's support, as we share common goal:

"The UK has always been next to the individuals and organizations that are under very challenging circumstances trying to promote LGBT rights locally and globally." 

"No one should face discrimination because of who they are and who they love. Our goal is a diverse, respectful and fair world."

Full statement below and on British embassy's Facebook page

In a related separate development, respects to the Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia and Armenia, Martina Quick, who stood next to LGBT activists and allies in Tbilisi today, marking IDAHOT 2015 in a small but peaceful event, under police protection.

Celebrating #IDAHO #IDAHO2015 with H.E. @martinaquick. #17MayTbilisi2015 #Tbilisi pic.twitter.com/ItJLFp5Xdw

— Eka Rostomashvili (@ERostomashvili) May 17, 2015

Good to see Swedish Ambassador @martinaquick at the morning #IDAHOT action. Alas, didn't see others... #LGBT #Tbilisi pic.twitter.com/zbOxUoO9Dm

— Onnik J. Krikorian (@onewmphoto) May 17, 2015

[For more about IDAHOT events in Tbilisi: here]

Unfortunately, at time of writing this post, there has been no statement from the US embassy in Armenia, although embassy's Twitter and FB pages shared some general LGBT related human rights messages. [UPDATE: 19 May 2015 U.S. Ambassador in Armenia marks International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia]

Pretty astonishing of all was a position of the EU delegation in Armenia. A total silence, that is, i.e. ZERO mention of IDAHOT by them. Instead, their Twitter account was busy sharing concert pictures and selfie. They did not even share the EU's statement on IDAHOT. They got my big FAIL mark.

***
#‎IDAHOT2015‬ Day Statement

May 17 is the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. This is a day marked globally to raise awareness about the discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Despite progress in some parts of the world, there is still a lot to be done both to fight against prejudice and also to ensure everyone is equally protected under the law.

The UK has always been next to the individuals and organizations that are under very challenging circumstances trying to promote LGBT rights locally and globally. Here in British Embassy Yerevan we have welcomed and supported the efforts of local LGBT activists, media and bloggers. This year an LGBT community dedicated media started to function – www.lgbtnews.am – which took the local efforts a step further.

No one should face discrimination because of who they are and who they love. Our goal is a diverse, respectful and fair world.

Kathy Leach
British Embassy Yerevan

"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."

Video blogging from the top of Cascade in Yerevan: PINK’s volunteer on LGBT parenting

Joel Wiklund is from Sweden and currently volunteering for PINK Armenia. On Twitter he describes himself as an “Actor. Living in Stockholm/Paris/Yerevan. Social-liberal Socialdemocrat. Feminist and LGBT-activist.”

And now his first video message from Yerevan, on LGBT parenting (!) From the top of Cascade. Look forward to more, Joel.

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

Austria became the 18th country in Europe to legalise gay civil unions

Symbolically coincided with the International Human Rights Day - which calls to "embrace diversity and end discrimination" - Austrian parliament made an important decision today by providing a legal recognition for same-sex partners. Although not a full marriage rights (no adoption or artificial insemination rights), this is certainly a step in a right direction.

VIENNA (AP) -- Austria's parliament passed legislation Thursday allowing same-sex couples to enter into civil unions, a move hailed by proponents as a historic win for gay rights in the country. The bill, slated to become law Jan. 1, will give same-sex couples many of the rights enjoyed by their heterosexual counterparts, including access to a pension if one partner dies and alimony in the event of a split.

What all EU countries (and others) should and would eventually do is to follow the example of Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Norway, Sweden, and South Africa  in providing full and equal marriage rights.

Europe's main gay rights group ILGA-Europe welcomes this decision by the Austrian parliament.

On 10 December 2009, the International Human Rights day, the Austrian parliament passed a law on registered partnerships for same-sex partners. ILGA-Europe welcomes this development which makes Austria the 18th country in Europe which provides legal recognition for same-sex partners. The law will come into effect on 1 January 2010.

Gay Armenians in Sweden can marry and be blessed in a church ceremony

There is a small but active Armenian community in Sweden.

Wikipedia: Swedish-Armenians are Armenians living in Sweden. The number of Armenians is around 8,000 and they come mainly from countries in the Middle East. Recently Sweden is seeing some influx from the Republic of Armenia as well. Most Swedish Armenians live in Stockholm, with a significant number in Uppsala.

Not only gay Armenians in Sweden can marry (gay marriage has been legal in Sweden from 1 May 2009), but those preferring church ceremonies can now be formally blessed in a church wedding as approved by the Church of Sweden.

Armenian online news outlets such as Tert.am and Capital business daily carry the news.

Sweden’s Lutheran Church Allows Gay Marriage

Tert.am

Sweden, already a pioneer in giving same-sex couples the right to adopt children, becomes one of the first countries in the world to allow gays to marry in a major Church, report AFP and Reuters news agencies.

Sweden's Lutheran Church decided Thursday to allow gay marriages in its places of worship, five months after they became legal.

The Church of Sweden, which was the state church until 2000, had backed the parliament's adoption of the gay marriage law, which took effect on May 1. But it deferred its synod's decision on church weddings until now.

The church said in a statement it would begin wedding same-sex couples on Nov. 1.

A church official said individual priests would still not be required to perform gay marriages. However, local churches would have to ensure that they could wed same-sex couples, if necessary bringing in an outside priest to perform the ceremony.

The country's smaller Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches said they were disappointed by the Lutherans' decision.

"It is with sadness that we learn about the decision by the synod of the Church of Sweden," Fredrik Emanuelson, a leader of the Roman Catholic Church, and Orthodox church senior official Misha Jaksic said in a joint statement.

"In our churches and communities, we will not unite homosexual couples since it is in complete contradiction with the tradition of the church and our vision of creation," they said.

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

Inga and Anush: Armenia in Eurovision finale – faves, performance, make up, Jonathan Ross...

My favourites were France, Sweden, Moldova and Estonia. I am pretty OK with Norway's win, which was predictable.

To be honest, for me Iceland's entry was unremarkable and a bit boring. I think the most overrated entries this year were Iceland and Azerbaijan.

Interestingly, an acquaintance of mine, a UK music industry expert, who was always extremely critical re Armenia Eurovision entries in past, SMS-ed me saying she was impressed with Inga & Anush...

Anyway, ending in top ten was not that bad considering the choice of music, although potentially, with such a talent, they could have done so much better...
***
Jonathan Ross loves Armenia entry

#eurovision Armenia were my faves, but I hope Jade wins !
http://twitter.com/Wossy/status/1819864068

#eurovision I am going to move to Armenia.
http://twitter.com/Wossy/status/1819194899

#eurovision Love Armenia already. I'll have 2 falafel and extra hoummus to go.
http://twitter.com/Wossy/status/1819184206
***
Different sexy

Either you hate it or love it. There was no middle ground in online discussions re Inga and Anush look and make up. I am among those who think they deserve compliment re their look. Yes, I do think they looked different and sexy.

Here is an opinion expressed on Twitter which I loved:

If all the women in Armenia are a sexy as the one on #eurovision then I am emigrating there tomorrow. ;o)
http://twitter.com/chief1981/status/1820616585
***
Inga and Anush toned down their make up

According to this tweet which refers to Armenian conservatism, after criticism in Armenia of their extensive make up following the 1st semi-final, Inga and Anush toned it down a bit.

they changed the make-up a little bit =) armyanskiy konservatizm@ spanec :) #eurovision
http://twitter.com/mbarseghyan/status/1819222208
***
P.S.

There was a different kind of ‘contest’ going on between Armenia and Azerbaijan during the Eurovision song contest. A propaganda and pretty childish ‘war’ which was apparent only to those 2 countries and may have some consequences. For details:

Ethnic rivalry wins over kitsch in the Caucasus

Karabakh conflict a.k.a. Eurovision contest

One vote from me to Sweden at Eurovision final. Malena Ernman 'is gay today' in solidarity with Russia gays

My big Respects to Sweden representative at Eurovision Malena Ernman. She is straight, and in solidarity with Russia gays, posted this statement today:

"Regarding the planned gay parade here in Moscow today I think it’s very sad that they won’t allow a tribute to love. I’m not homosexual but today I am happy and proud to call myself gay - to support my friends and fans."

Sweden was among my top favourites after the first semi-final. Now I have even more reasons to vote for her today.

Esctoday reports:

Today, as Moscow prepares to host tonight's Eurovision Song Contest for the first time, police in Moscow, Russia used force to stop a gay rights rally in the city. Swedish Eurovision Song Contest representative, Malena Ernman has become the first artist from tonight's show to speak out about the subject.

Earlier today, Malena Ernman, who is representing Sweden in tonight's Eurovision song Contest sent a strong message of solidarity to the campaigners.This morning, she posted a message on her blog to support the rights of gay and lesbian citizens in Moscow, taking a brave step, she has made the following statement:

"Regarding the planned gay parade here in Moscow today I think it’s very sad that they won’t allow a tribute to love. I’m not homosexual but today I am happy and proud to call myself gay - to support my friends and fans."

Sweden's gay community has been at the forefront of promoting the Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden. The Schalger Pride Eurovision Song Contest party has been a permanent fixture on the Thursday night of Stockholm's Gay Pride celebrations every year, and attracts a large number of international Eurovision fans to the event.

*photo - via Eurovision.tv

Sweden legalizes gay marriage!!

Sweden became the 7th country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. The Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Spain, Canada, and South Africa also allow same-sex marriage. (Civil unions are allowed in more countries.) The new law will take effect on 1 May 2009.

Radio Sweden International (via ILGA Europe): Following a parliamentary vote Wednesday afternoon, MPs voted by a huge majority to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry in civil ceremonies. If they want to get married in a church, however, then they will have to find a vicar who will agree to marry them.

Same-sex couples have been able to become civil partners in Sweden since 1995, and the law change doesn’t automatically make them husband and husband or wife and wife, if they want to get married they will have to either have a new ceremony, or send in an application to get the partnership converted into a marriage.

The government was split on the issue with coalition partner the Christian Democrats the only party in the Swedish parliament to oppose the extension of the term ”marriage” to include non-heterosexuals. But in a free vote in parliament 261 MPs voted in favour of the reform, 22 voted no, while 16 abstained.

Religious groups in Sweden are split on the issue. Some Lutheran Church of Sweden vicars have said they will marry same-sex couples, and the church will take a common stand on the issue at a Synod in the Autumn. Roman Catholic, Muslim, and other religions have been much more sceptical to the law change in their comments.

Bicycle

Looking at the programme of the 23rd London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, under the “Experimental Visions”, I noticed this description of a short film by Klara Liden “Bodies of Society” (Sweden 2006):

“A sadomasochistic relationship with a bicycle.”

How sweet! :)

No, it's wrestling

Olympics scandal: Ara Abrahamian was right!

*source of photo - AP, via Yahoo