Since the Velvet Revolution, Armenia is steadily improving its rankings in terms of democracy, freedom... One field that lacking progress is LGBT rights, where country is still among the bottom worst in Europe.
A shameful record, as we mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
Despite having number of seemingly committed to human rights MPs in post-Revolution Armenia parliament, no single MP (+ no single government official) had enough courage to speak up for IDAHOT.
Instead of Breaking The Silence - the motto of the day - they chose to keep the silence.
On a related but contrasting note, was great to see some government officials and media outlets in neighbouring Georgia, like Natia Mezvrishvili, head of government administration, and Civil.ge marking IDAHOT 2020 with such an important message.
Natia Mezvrishvili: As #UDHR has it "All human beings are born with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms". I stand as an ally with LGBTI people in Georgia and Worldwide #IDAHOT #NOTOHOMOPHOBIA
Civil.ge: May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. We stand together with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer+ people in the fight against hate. #Lovewins #IDAHOBIT 🇬🇪🏳🌈 📷 by Eana Korbezashvili/Civil.ge - Tbilisi, May 17, 2017
Unfortunately, I have yet to see similar stance by any media in Armenia.
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.
«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…
*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.
History was made in Armenia on Friday 5 April 2019, when during parliamentary hearings on the UN UPR (Universal Periodic Review - the process of a review of the human rights records of UN member states), for the first time ever, transgender woman Lilit Martirosyan, head of Right Side NGO, addressed MPs, members of Armenian civil society about the state of trans people in the country.
It was a powerful speech, right to the point, very well delivered. As subsequent reactions on Armenian FB and media illustrated, such level of visibility shocked the system. Instead of discussing the content of her speech, the main talking point on FB was the very fact that transgender woman was ‘allowed’ to enter and deliver speech in the parliament.
Parliamentary human rights committee chair Naira Zohrabyan of BHK party was ‘outraged’ by Lilit’s speech, citing ‘agenda hijacking’. She described Lilit’s speech “disrespectful” towards her personally, towards human rights committee and the parliament. Number of activists left the hearings as a protest re Naira Zohrabyan reaction.
What kind of ‘agenda’ you are talking about, MP Zohrabyan? Agenda that includes only convenient for you and your party topics? Agenda that excludes LGBT people from human rights discussions? If this is the agenda you are referring to, then it only deserves being ‘hijacked’.
To remind, Naira Zohrabyan became chair of human rights committee in the Armenian parliament solely as part of their party’s quota. She (and the party she represents) has no comprehension of the notion of human rights whatsoever and should be challenged constantly. They are so at odds with the ideals of the Velvet Revolution.
To complete the picture, suffice to say that following the hearings there were death threats on Armenian FB against Lilit Martirosyan, LGBT rights activists and… flowers for Naira Zohrabyan.
But hey, back to the positive news, well done Lilit !! Big respects !!
Below is a full transcript in English of Lilit’s speech, and video (English captions).
“Dear members of parliament, colleagues and guests,
We are making history today. Even a few months ago, it was impossible to even imagine what is today a reality in the post-Revolution Armenia.
I am delivering this speech to you from Armenian parliament podium, as a transgender woman. But I ask you to see me as a collective figure. Being a member of the Armenian transgender community, and the president of the Right Side human rights NGO, I encompass in myself tortured, raped, kidnapped, subjected to physical violence, burned, immolated, knifed, subjected to murder attempt, killed, emigrated, robbed, subjected to stigma and discrimination in social, medical, legal, economic areas and in every aspect of a dignified life, unemployed, poor and morally abandoned, Armenian transgender’s image.
Up until 2018, we have registered 283 similar cases against transgender people, and I don’t know what is scarier - this number or the fact that only a minor part of these cases were registered by the police or by other competent bodies? And if you take the above number “283” as the number of transgender people in Armenia, whose rights were violated, then, for me, it means that there are 283 criminals living next to me and you. And who knows, maybe the 284th will commit their crime just tomorrow. What is also concerning is that people who defend transgender people are also subjected to physical violence and persecution. In just one month, some people had cut the throat of a transgender person and have violently beaten the other one in their own apartment. And completely burned down the apartment including their personal belongings. Think about this, gentlemen.
I call upon you, including the representatives of transgender people, to get involved in the implementation of policies and legislative reforms related to gender equality and ensuring human rights in general. And we are ready to support you in building democracy in our homeland.
This was going to be a very different, positive post, about screening of two Armenian LGBT-themed films at the Golden Apricot International Film Festival in Yerevan.
I was pleased to see as part of the Golden Apricot’s (albeit non-competition) programme “Armenians: Internal and External Views” the schedule of 13 July for a feature film Apricot Groves (dir. Pouria Heidary) and groundbreaking documentary film Listen To Me (produced by PINK Armenia).
Here is what I tweeted only a few days ago (4 July) :
Nice. #Armenia #LGBT related feature film Apricot Groves and @pinkarmenia documentary Listen To Me @GAIFFYerevan Int'l Film Fest #Yerevan
On paper there is no censorship in Armenia. In reality this is how it works.
There are so called ‘FB warriors’ or ‘concerned citizens’ and associated trolls on Armenian sector of FB who upon pushing the button by their rulers start an 'outcry' campaign against (frequently but not exclusively) LGBT related issues. You know, full with typical amorality, family/traditional values, ’gay propaganda’ and similar bullshit, with frequent calls to attack, burn, kill LGBT Armenians and human rights activists. This is subsequently presented as a ‘pressure by society’ and voila.
“We want to inform you that ARMENIANS: INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL VIEWS
non-competition program is completely cancelled. We apologize for any inconveniences.” (Тhis is what Golden Apricot sent to the filmmakers, whose films were included in the program)
Here is what happened. The Union of Cinematographers in Armenia that was to provide a space for the screening of the films, demanded to remove two Armenian LGBT-themed films from the programme due to an ‘outcry in society’ (= some FB users). According to the director of Golden Apricot Harutyun Khachatryan, they also mentioned… they are in mourning (Rouben Gevorgyants, the ex-director of the Union, passed away on 23 June), and they are not going to screen any movie.
Կինոմիության նոր ղեկավարները՝ նայելով «Ոսկե Ծիրան» կինոփառատոնի ինֆորմացիոն ծրագիրը, որում ԼԳԲՏ համայնքի մասին պատմող երկու ֆիլմ կար, և տեսնելով հասարակական աղմուկը, նշեցին, որ իրենք չեն կարող այն ցուցադրել: Այս մասին այսօր կայացած մամուլի ասուլիսին ժամանակ ասաց «Ոսկե Ծիրան» միջազգային կինոփառատոնի հիմնադիր և գլխավոր տնօրեն Հարություն Խաչատրյանը: «Մեր գործընկերներից մեկը Կինոմիությունն է, որոնցից մենք դահլիճ չենք վարձում, այլ իրենք այդ ինֆորմացիոն ծրագիրը ցուցադրում են Կինոյի տանը: Մենք պայմանավորվել էինք Ռուբեն Գևորգյանցի հետ, ով վերջերս մահացավ: Ծրագիրը պետք է ցուցադրվեր և հանկարծ պարզվեց, որ բավականին մեծ աղմուկ կա ծրագրի շուրջ հասարակության կողմից: Նոր ղեկավարներն էլ հայտնեցին, որ իրենք այսպիսի սգի չեն կարող նման ծրագիր ցուցադրել»,- ասաց Խաչատրյանը՝ հավելելով, որ իրենք չէին կարող Կինոմիությանը ստիպել, քանի որ դահլիճը չէին վարձում:
As Arsinee Khandjian and Atom Egoyan indicated in their statement, “We have never heard of a program of new films being cancelled to commemorate a cineaste's death as a sign of mourning and respect! This claim seems, therefore, quite preposterous!”
Instead of fighting this decision and finding an alternative venue, “Golden Apricot” has decided to withdraw the whole programme, which included around 40 films covering not only LGBT issues, but also different social issues, the Armenian Genocide, Nagorno Karabakh conflict etc.
I was told from reliable sources that a well respected venue in downtown Yerevan offered to host the programme but Harutyun Khachatryan declined saying the decision was already made, too late to make changes, blah blah. Excuses.
Pressures to censor works of art, films, freedom of expression can come from different places, be that Soviet style union of cinematographers, president office, Facebook users and so on, but for a festival of Golden Apricot calibre to effectively succumb to that censorship and endorse it, is shameful and scandalous.
Festival that censors films doesn't deserve respect. It deserves boycott.
I hope participants, guests, partners and sponsors of the festival will protest. There can be absolutely no excuses and no justification for censorship whatsoever. No ‘apology’ can be accepted too, only the full restoration of the censored programme.
There is petition in this regard “Stop censorship in Armenia” that you can sign following this link.
The “Golden Apricot” should immediately restore the screening of all films regardless of the format. Otherwise the “Golden Apricot” International Festival should accept that they are the ones who are legitimizing the censorship and changes in the Festival. […]
We are not accepting the apology of the “Golden Apricot” against the censorship: if we do so, that would mean that we are endorsing this and future censorships. We are calling upon the organizers of the “Golden Apricot” to protect the films selected by them, instead of an apology, as well as to restore the whole program and screen all films in another place and to publicly condemn the actions of the Union of Cinematography of Armenia. Only by restoring the program the festival can keep and protect its’ former reputation.
Says Pouria Heidary, director of Apricot Groves, one of two censored Armenian LGBT themed films:
"We made this film under the supervision of NATIONAL CINEMA CENTER OF ARMENIA a governmental institute that was responsible for cinema co-production with all the foreign countries that want to make a film in Armenia. they took our money and promised to support us. now nobody from that organization answers us, none of your cinemas screen our film and Golden Apricot film festival which is the biggest cinema and cultural event of Armenia does not screen our film which we put our love, our time and our art on it with the massage of love,friendship ,care and love of two neighbor countries. We wonder why these are happening???!!!!!
My film has been screened in more than 43 festivals 3 of them were A grade film festivals 4 of them were Oscar qualify Film Festival 1 of them were BAFTA qualify film festival, we screened in biggest LGBT film festival in the world we have been the first Armenian film that ever screened in 2 countries in Africa, we won 5 awards under name of Armenia, we showed beautiful Armenia to world and made them hear your language more any other film in the past 15 years and in return all we get is hate.!!!"
In their statement, Arsinee Khandjian and Atom Egoyan stressed that they are “very concerned about the censorship”:
"Atom Egoyan was President of the Festival for almost ten years and it’s dismaying to see a festival that we both proudly advocated for within the international film community in the name of films and filmmakers that spoke of such urgent human rights issues can be suppressed, especially when these ideas need to be discussed and brought to light."
In recognition of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on May 17, U.S. Ambassador Richard M. Mills, Jr. met with Armenian civil society representatives who advocate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights in Armenia. During their meeting, the Ambassador heard from the civil society representatives about their work to ensure that the legal and human rights of LGBT Armenian citizens are fully protected.
The United States remains unwavering in its commitment to advance LGBT equality at home and around the world. Both former Secretary Clinton and Secretary Kerry have made strong statements condemning discrimination and violence against LGBT persons, recognizing that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The U.S. Embassy has supported NGOs who advocate for equal rights for all Armenians through its Democracy Commission Small Grants program.
Kudos to the signatories of this statement - PINK Armenia and Kaos GL. Great example of solidarity between Armenian and Turkish LGBT groups.
Pink Armenia and Kaos GL made a joint statement to mark the centenary of the Armenian Genocide, commemorating those killed, and underlined that they will fight against homophobia, transphobia, racism and nationalism together.
One hundred years ago, a huge crime was committed on the land that we have been living together, one unpardonable, irreversible crime, which can by no means be compensated. In order to shatter Armenian people, their culture, social and economical set up into pieces Great Crime/Meds Yeghern caused pains that cannot be located in the language of cold statistics. In the process of massacre, Assyrian and Greek people in Turkey had also been the target of systematic extermination policies. We still witness the effects of the unpardonable Armenian Genocide that had been initiated by Ottoman Empire.
We, as LGBT organizations struggling against homophobia and transphobia in Armenia and Turkey, call both LGBT and overall public societies to confront with what had been lived. We recapitulate our call for confrontation with genocide and protect our lives dimmed by hands of nationalism and state policies. As well as being against homophobia and transphobia, struggling against racist, nationalist and sexist policies in our region, We, as Pink Armenia and Kaos GL, commemorate everyone killed a hundred years ago and express once again that we share the painful memoirs and are in solidarity with the Armenian population scattered all over the world.
Today, struggling against racist and nationalist ideologies of homophobia and transphobia, which have intertwined with racism and nationalism both in civil society and public space all throughout the countries in our region including Turkey and Armenia that resulted in genocide is more important than ever. State-handedly institutionalized racist and nationalist discourses turn borders of our countries into impassable borders in between communities. The way to pass beyond the intercommunal borders is to act with solidarity via creating horizontal networks. Only our struggle will make it possible to get rid of abstract discourses of equality, justice and freedom, and to put our struggle at the center of our lives.
Armenian Genocide is a source of shame for all humanity. This shame and the scares of this massacre left us with big questions to answer. Assassinated by the people of 1915 mentality, the question posed by Hrant Dink, the Chief Editor of Agos Journal, is still waiting unanswered:
“Are we to act just like the responsible persons of the past extreme catastrophe or shall we take our lessons from past errors and write the new pages like civilized human beings?”
We, as Pink Armenia and Kaos GL, will strive to find answers to this question through our struggle. The way to be liberated with the ‘rainbow’ is through giving voice to the truths that have been overshadowed by nationalism.
UPDATE 16 May 2014: Armenia Eurovision national jury Arshakyan sisters profoundly apologised for homophobic and other pretty shameful statements. They said they have no negative attitude towards gays, transvestites, mental health patients… [For details and video link - see comments section]
*** Says Armenia’s Eurovision national jury member Anush Arshakyan: “I put Conchita towards the bottom of the ranking due to my internal repulsion [towards Conchita]”.
She then continued: “I find this phenomenon repulsive, the same way I find mental health patients repulsive”.
Her sister, another jury member Inga Arshakyan was next to her during the interview and we may safely assume she shares Anush’s views.
[To remind, this year’s national jury members Inga and Anush Arshakyan represented Armenia in Eurovision 2009 finishing 10th.]
«Ես վերջին տեղը տվել եմ ադրբեջանցիներին եւ նախավերջինը՝ Կոնչիտային: Նրան վերջին տեղերում էի դրել՝ ներքին հակակրանքից դրդված: Նա միայն հակակրանք էր առաջացնում: Եվ ես ապշած եմ, որ sms քվեարկությամբ 2-րդ տեղ են տվել Կոնչիտային: Ես չգիտեմ, թե ովքեր են քվեարկողները եղել, բայց ես չեմ կարծում, որ մեր ամբողջ ժողովուրդը լավ վերաբերմունք ունի այդ անձի հանդեպ»,- Aravot.am-ի հետ զրույցում մեր հարցին, թե ինչու էին «Եվրատեսիլի» տրանսվեստիտ մասնակից Կոնչիտային Հայաստանում ցածր միավորներ տվել՝ այսպես պատասխանեց Արշակյան քույրերից մեկը՝ Անուշ Արշակյանը: Ինգան եւ Անուշը միանգամից դեմքի արտահայտությունը փոխեցին եւ զզվանքով ձեռքերով խաչ արեցին, երբ Կոնչիտայի անունը տվեցինք:
[…]
Մեր դիտարկմանը, որ ասում են՝ պետք է հարգել փոքրամասնությանը՝ Անուշ Արշակյանը պատասխանեց. «Հարգանքի աստիճաններ կան: Եթե խոսենք տոլեռանդության մասին, ամենատարածված բանն է Եվրոպայում, ապա ես երեւի թե դեմ եմ ցանկացած ձեւի ագրեսիային եւ ցանկացած տեսակի մարդկային բնաջնջմանը դեմ եմ: Եթե համարենք, որ այդ մարդիկ հիվանդ են, նրանց կարելի է բուժել եւ այդ առումով իմ հակակրանքը հասկանալի է: Ինչպես հոգեկան հիվանդն է հակակրանք առաջացնում, այնպես էլ նման երեւույթները: Իմ հակակրանքը ճիշտ այդպիսին է: Ես ոչ թե ագրեսիվ եմ, այլ՝ մերժողական այդպիսի դրսեւորումների հանդեպ»:
And this is what supposed to be a “professional jury” ???
Armenia’s national jury should be disqualified, and its members should not be allowed to serve in any jury contest, or any event.
They are shame not only for Armenia, but for Eurovision in general.
Not only they are homophobic, not only they accepted that they voted based on anything but professional assessments, but they offend patients with mental health problems too.
This is beyond words shocking and disgusting. And to think that there was time I quite liked the sisters…
Thank you, Conchita. Your win was like a litmus test.
Big congrats, Conchita !! Stunning performance. Epic win for the Queen of Eurovision.
Says Conchita: "This night is dedicated to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom. You know who you are - we are unity and we are unstoppable."
As Eurovision blogger @dreurovision tweeted: “Austrian victory in #Eurovision is a slap in the face for homophobia across Europe!”
Despite what official voting results (combined 50% national jury and 50% televote) may suggest, Conchita touched the hearts all over bigger Europe, including the South Caucasus countries Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
If we only count televotes (i.e. people’s vote via calls or sms), Austria’s Conchita ranks 2nd and gets 10 points from both Armenia and Georgia, and ranks 3rd getting 8 points from Azerbaijan. However, combined with jury votes, Austria received 0 (zero !!) point from Armenia (No. 24, above only Azerbaijan) and 1 point from Azerbaijan.
According to Eurovision statement, Georgia’s national jury results for final were declared invalid. Therefore, the televoting results applied. It’s not clear yet the exact reason but I wish Armenia’s national jury was disqualified too. Plus, juries from some other countries.
This effectively means that adding so called “professional juries” votes fuc*ed up the ranking, and national juries (in this case) in the South Caucasus countries simply suck. Big time.
In fact, the highest difference between jury and televote ranking re Conchita was in Armenia (22 points difference), followed by Azerbaijan (21) and Belarus (19). Even in Russia difference was not as prominent (8), and in Russia Conchita was No.3 (8 points) by televote & only adding jury voting put her No.6 (5 points).
I’d say shame on you, Armenia’s national jury. Your voting was a disgrace.
And I’d say well done people in the South Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan) who proved to be more open minded than what regimes and certain ‘elites’ want us to believe.
In general, looking at pattern of people’s and national juries voting indicates that the jury voting is more political and ‘calculating’ than people’s voting. Ironically, the very reason why juries were introduced in the first place.
Here are just few observations re Armenia’s national jury voting:
1. Political: Placing Ukraine towards bottom of their rankings so that there is no chance for Armenia to give any points to Ukraine, to avoid upsetting Russia.
2. Calculating (so called ‘strategic voting’): Placing Sweden towards the bottom of their ranking, because they knew Sweden is one of top favourites to win, so that to avoid votes to Sweden from Armenia. And giving the highest points to clear non favourites to win, like Montenegro (No. 2 in jury ranking) or Malta (No. 1 in jury ranking).
3. Homophobic/transphobic: Placing Conchita towards the bottom of their ranking (above Azerbaijan) because they are homophobic/transphobic and/or sh*t scared of being later ‘accused’ as supporting LGBT representative + like in case of Sweden, to ‘neutralise’ votes from Armenia to top favourite Austria.
All this clearly shows that jury’s voting had nothing to do with judging performance. It’s pretty much a manipulation to neutralise people’s votes. A kind of legitimate voting fraud, because formally they did not break any rules.
And finally. Austria giving 12 points to Armenia regardless of all what happened in the run up to the contest, with very close high televote and jury votes. Learn the lesson, Armenia. Love conquers hate.
“Armenia Vote Conchita / Հայերի ձայները Կոնչոյին” initiative on social networks Twitter (@voteforconchita) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ArmVoteConcho) calls Eurovision fans in Armenia to vote for Conchita Wurst during Eurovision final. This is in response to homophobic and transphobic comments generated following the announcement that Conchita will be Austria’s entry in Eurovision 2014.
“If you thought of all Armenians as uneducated intolerant homophobic assholes, well, have I got fab news for u gurl!
We support Conchita, or Concho, as we affectuously call her in Armenian, we'll vote for her and we invite everyone living in Armenia to vote for Concho, too.
Մենք աջակցում ենք Կոնչիտա Վյուրստին կամ Կոնչոյին, ինչպես հայոց ազգը նրան փաղաքշաբար կոչեց, քվեարկելու ենք նրա օգտին ու Հայաստանաբնակներին հրավիրում ենք մեզ հետ քվեարկել Կոնչոյի օգտին:”
I made my indirect contribution to #ArmVoteConchita by voting for her from London. Btw, Conchita delivered a fabulous performance during semifinal, worthy a winner.
Eurovision final is on Saturday and among favourites to win the contest bookmakers name Austria, Sweden, The Netherland, Armenia, UK…
As 50% of votes are counting from the national juries votes, the main challenge for Conchita’s path to Eurovision victory will perhaps come from the national juries in post-Soviet-block countries where homophobia and transphobia are still widespread.
It will be interesting to see how much difference people’s vote will make and whether we will see votes for Austria’s Conchita coming from Armenia.
I really want to believe that Eurovision experience is becoming a liberating eye opener for Armenia representative Aram MP3.
I do hope he learned (or learning) the lesson of diversity, and I am glad to see that after publicly reconciling with Conchita, issuing “I reject homophobia” statement [for background story:1, 2, 3], we get more pictures of Aram MP3 reflecting and communicating message of diversity and no prejudice.
Pollapönk (see picture above with Aram MP3) will represent Iceland at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen, Denmark, performing “No Prejudice".
PINK Armenia released their annual review of “Human Rights Situation of LGBT People” reflecting
developments in 2013.
It’s pretty good, albeit depressing, reference guide highlighting some of the main cases of human rights violations of LGBT people in Armenia, with (unfortunately!) only very few positive examples.
Issues regarding sexual orientation and gender identity are usually approached from a negative point of view, defenders of LGBT rights are considered as “traitors of the State”, and LGBT people are presented as enemies of society. As a result, any sphere of social life is becoming a place for discrimination, degradation, and ill treatment and violence.
Main topics covered in the report include the following:
General overview of human rights situation of LGBT people
Elections (presidential; local Yerevan)
Litigation of DIY pub
Legislation (propaganda bill; draft law on anti-discrimination)
Media
Engagement of Diaspora
Response of international institutions
Human Rights Ombudsman
Gender Equality law
Transphobia
Conference on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance
Rainbow flag
In conclusion, report states that “in 2013 Armenia has clearly slid backwards as intolerant views were voiced extensively, and indeed prevailed, during a national debate around gender equality. Government officials condone violent attacks against LGBT people, characterizing the violence as an expression of “traditional values.”
"Armenian youth will bring more benefit to the people, if they fight against sexual minorities instead of fighting against transportation fare rise." – Galust Sahakyan, vice-president of the [ruling] Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), the head of RPA parliamentary fraction.
Finally, a statement from Armenia Eurovision representative Aram MP3 that his fans and friends were expecting. [for background story: 1, 2, 3]
He made this statement in an interview with Eurovision portal esctoday.com on his birthday and hours before performing in Amsterdam’s Eurovision party tonight:
"Music and humor are inseparable parts of my life; I made some remarks recently in a humorous manner, which instead may have hurt the dear friends and fans. I really regret this and want to state clearly that I reject homophobia.”
Interestingly enough, on a second look and after his statement, his song could be taken as a message of all inclusive love ;))
Your song gives the clear message that nobody should feel alone. Do you think that sexual orientation or different skin color should be a reason for people to be or feel alone?
Even though people are used to my jokes regarding everything that surrounds me, my Eurovision song opens the other side of Aram Mp3 which is not very humoristic but rather emotional and sincere. This song expresses my feelings and thoughts. I really do think that one of the most wonderful things that can happen to humans is love. Love definitely doesn’t recognize religion, country, age or sex.
Due to an alleged joke you made regarding the Austrian Eurovision representative Conchita Wurst, which was reported in the European press, has stirred a mediatic storm across the continent. Could you please clarify this issue and share with us your views and opinion regarding this matter.
My song reminds everyone that they’re not alone. That’s my main message; I want everyone to know they’re not alone in the world, regardless of what country they come from, their religion or who they love. That is the most important idea I want to deliver to my audience. In my personal life and in my work, the respect for others is my guiding principle. Apart from being a musician, I’m also a comedian. Music and humor are inseparable parts of my life; I made some remarks recently in a humorous manner, which instead may have hurt the dear friends and fans. I really regret this and want to state clearly that I reject homophobia.
UPDATE5 April 2014: Armenia Eurovision representative Aram MP3: “I reject homophobia”
***
As of now, he didn’t have guts or perhaps didn’t feel like saying “sorry” for his homophobic and transphobic remarks, and for his disrespect towards fellow Eurovision contestant.
Some of his fans tried justifying his behaviour by "freedom of speech" and him being a comedian, as if being a comedian somehow justifies bigotry.
Yesterday Aram MP3 put his ‘funny’ side to yet another test and failed it spectacularly.
Aram wrote on his Facebook page that he would have preferred playing “a negative role” if offered to star in a film. And he posted a picture of himself posing as Hitler. Perhaps, he thought that his fans would be amused and entertained by such picture. However, he quickly deleted the picture, following storm of criticism from Facebook users who ‘liked’ his FB page.
*screenshot of Aram MP3 (now deleted) Facebook post
Many expressed their outrage and shock that after scandal over his homophobic, transphobic remarks, Aram would resort to such bad taste amateur behaviour, further antagonising a proportion of his fans.
As one FB user commented under this picture: how would Aram MP3 feel if another Eurovision contestant posted a ‘funny’ picture of his/her-self posing as Talaat pasha, one of the main perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide?
Yes, Aram MP3 quickly deleted this picture. But it left a sense of unease even among his loyal fans.
Seriously, Aram, after being exposed for making homophobic and transphobic remarks, this is all you came up with?
This was a classic face-palm moment when words fail to express how stupid that was.
Says Conchita (Heute): “Oh, that means he won't marry me? To be honest, I did not take seriously what he said about me. One thing is clear, Aram thinks that I apparently want to be a woman… Aram, sweetheart, I'm a working lady, and a lazy young man in my free time and it can't be the other way. If you have problems with understanding that, I'll gladly sit and explain it to you. Oh, and concerning your homophobic remarks… seriously, ON THAT we're actually going to have a talk!”
Awesome response.
Meanwhile, silence so far from Aram MP3. No “sorry for unintended offence caused” or “misunderstanding” statements.
UPDATE5 April 2014: Armenia Eurovision representative Aram MP3: “I reject homophobia”
***
I am pretty disappointed that from the very first day when Public TV announced Aram MP3 as Armenia representative in Eurovision, he started making homophobic and transphobic remarks, especially in relation to Austrian representative in Eurovision. I am sure Eurovision fans in Europe, including many LGBT people, won’t be impressed to learn about Aram MP3 statements so far.
In his first Public TV appearance following the nomination, answering pretty ridiculous question by Armenia Eurovision delegation head: [what is your opinion about Austria’s “the bearded woman” Conchita’s “orientation”?], Aram MP3 replied that for him it’s “not normal”, “not adequate” and as if jokingly continued: ‘hopefully, we will help her to eventually decide whether she is a woman or man’. [see video (in Armenian) from 30:43 minutes]
A note for Armenian media and for Aram MP3 re drag artist Conchita Wurst [Conchita is not perceived as drag act but rather trans, gay by many in Armenia]:
Because of the discrimination against Tom in his teenage years, he created Conchita. The Bearded Lady, as a statement. A statement for tolerance and acceptance- as it's not about appearances; it's about the human being.
*eurovision.tv
On 20th March, during press conference with local reporters, similar remarks repeated again.
Reporters also asked about his opinion of Austrian representative Conchita Wurst. Aram MP3 confessed smiling: ‘it will be difficult’.
“I just realised that, after all, we will be on the same stage, because as part of the Eurovision all participants perform one song together. If you want to know my position, when I pass next to Kom aygi [Unzipped: cruising park in downtown Yerevan frequented by gay men and particularly trans sex workers], I speed up my car. In this case [re Conchita], I will try to somehow put up with.”
Լրագրողները նաև հետաքրքրվեցին, թե ինչպիսին է նրա մոտեցումը Ավստրիայի ներկայացուցիչ Կոնչիտա Վուրստի նկատմամբ: Արամը ժպիտով խոստովանեց, որ դժվար է լինելու:
«Նոր հասկացա, որ այդուհանդերձ նրա հետ նույն բեմում ենք գտնվելու, քանի որ «Եվրատեսիլի» շրջանակներում բոլոր մասնակիցներով պետք է համատեղ մեկ երգ կատարենք: Իսկ ընդհանրապես, եթե ուզում եք իմանալ իմ մոտեցումը, ապա «կոմայգու» մոտով անցնելիս ես արագացնում եմ իմ մեքենայի ընթացքը. այս դեպքում պետք է մի կերպ համակերպվել»,- ասաց Արամը:
Such references to Kom aygi are being routinely used in Armenia by media and individuals to stir-up or gave in to homophobic and transphobic sentiments among mainstream public. Participation of Austria's Conchita led to calls to boycott Eurovision by homophobic circles claiming it would be ‘dishonour’ for Armenia participant to be on the same stage with Austrian representative.
The following day, during his RFE/RL Facebook ‘press conference’ (event's page), many Armenian FB users expressed their dismay about his remarks from above meeting with journalists.
In reply to criticism, Aram MP3 said he only “jokingly" noted that it would be difficult for him, ‘to make journalists laugh’, but he was “honest”: “I do not live such life, and regardless how the world progressed or regressed, this is an unacceptable subject matter for me.” After journalist’s insistence, he stated he did not mean to offend Conchita. [see video (in Armenian) from 7:39 minutes]
I dare Aram MP3 to repeat such “jokes" and views to European journalists covering Eurovision.
I am not a big fan of his song, but good for Aram that it quickly became top viewed among Eurovision entrants on YouTube and bookmakers’ favourite. Shame for Aram’s amateurish attitude towards his colleagues and for his repeated homophobic and transphobic remarks.
I hope and wish that mixing with the Eurovision crowd will open up his eyes to diversity of people, and to the importance to respect and value such diversity.
I will not be voting for Aram MP3, because I simply cannot vote for someone with such views. You decide yourself. But if he wins, I will be only happy to see "gay parade" Eurovision coming to Armenia, although it would be ironic that a person with such questionable views would make this happened.
While Armenia human rights ombudsman, conveniently ‘forgetting’ what his position is all about, targets trans sex workers and uses neo-nazi website to justify his discriminatory statement, the October issue of prominent French Armenian magazine Nouvelles d'Arménie publishes an extensive report on discrimination of trans people in Armenia, with a reflection of LGBT rights violations in general.
Below is a brief outline in English, accompanied by pictures of original French article. Many thanks to Adrineh for translation.
***
"Denounced by their own family. Banned by an army that considers them mentally ill. Violated and beaten without the police coming to their aid. Armenia is a hostile land for homosexuals, bisexuals, and, a fortiori, for transsexuals and transvestites. Many of them choose exile where they benefit from refugee status."
Then the article mentions a few details of a few of the trans sex workers. These sex workers are violated, beaten but the police don't help them, and in fact, says it's their fault. "Each night, we go out never knowing if we will be alive tomorrow," says Aram. Transsexualism is not recognised in Armenia and even less accepted, liked to a psychological pathology and mixed up with homosexuality.
The article cites PINK Armenia's 2011 survey in Yerevan, Gyumri and Vanadzor: 72.1% of those asked have a negative perception of homosexuality and 71.5% believe the state should take measures to "combat it". They cite a psychologist named Davit Galstian: "There's a real phobia of homosexuals in our society; they are considered like beasts". Also cites an Armenian AIDS Center statistic that "only 2%" of AIDS cases were identified as being "related to homosexual practices".
Next section talks about the work of PINK Armenia: not only promoting sexual health and education, but also protecting the rights of the LGBT community. Head of PINK Armenia Mamikon Hovsepyan is cited. Mamikon mentions that though sex between two men was decriminalised in 2003, thus fulfilling one of the conditions of Armenia joining the Council of Europe and though in 2008, Armenia ratified the UN declaration on sexual orientation and gender identity, no legislation exists today to condemn discrimination, the inciting of violence or hate crimes or [hate] speech against people because of their sexual orientation. This legal vacuum was illustrated in May 2012 with the attack on gay-friendly bar DIY.
This fuelled a rise in violence against the LGBT community, not only by political actors from all sides, overtly oppressive, denouncing them (LGBT) as unacceptable and a menace to Armenian society, but also by religious authorities and local media, which relay messages of homophobic impunity.
The article mentions the Diversity March, 21 May 2012, and the counter-demonstrators who said "Send the homosexuals to Baku" and "Armenia without homosexuals". Article mentions Parada film screening which had to be postponed and finally cancelled because of extremist groups.
"In this context, there is hardly any other choice for many than exile." Article concludes by saying that many go abroad (get a visa for Europe), notably France, get refugee status under the category of being persecuted because of sexual orientation in Armenia.
Since 2010, PINK Armenia, together with other activists and partners, organises RainbowFlash to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. The idea of flashmob is to release rainbow-coloured balloons as a show of determination for a peaceful fight against homophobia and transphobia. Activists are invited to participate, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
This year the flashmob took place on 17 May 2013, 6pm, in Yerevan's Tumanyan park where small group of activists released the rainbow balloons. The event was not publicised in advance and took a form of a proper flashmob, also considering last year events when Diversity march was attacked by neo-nazi style thugs.
The EU Delegation in Armenia rightly stresses that "discriminatory statements from certain politicians and in particular the proliferation of hate speech are worrying."
In a strongly worded statement, the EU Delegation continues that the "lack of official reaction has the potential to encourage a sense of impunity in radical groups, and even possibly threaten democratic development." They remind Armenia authorities of their international and European human rights commitments and urge them to "uphold their commitments to tolerance and non-discrimination in a manner that adequately addresses intolerance as regards homophobia and transphobia".
Local EU Statement on recent expressions of intolerance in the Republic of Armenia (29/05/2012)
The European Union Delegation issues the following statement in agreement with the EU Members States Heads of Mission in Armenia
The EU Delegation recalls that human rights apply equally to all human beings and underlines the value of non-discrimination and protection of human rights.
At the same time, the EU Delegation is concerned about recent developments, which endanger non-discrimination and protection of human rights in Armenia. The firebombing of a pub in Yerevan and the subsequent disruption of the Diversity March – both portrayed as an anti-LGBT * action by certain radical groups, as well as discriminatory statements from certain politicians and in particular the proliferation of hate speech are worrying. These developments have sparked a new debate about the extent of discrimination and tolerance in Armenia.
The lack of official condemnation and the perception of ineffective law enforcement have raised concern among Armenian civil society, Human Rights Defenders and international observers. This lack of official reaction has the potential to encourage a sense of impunity in radical groups, and even possibly threaten democratic development.
Armenia has committed itself to the respect of human rights, inter alia, as a member of the Council of Europe, in the EU-Armenia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement of 1999 and in the EU-Armenia Action Plan of 2006
The EU Delegation calls on the Armenian authorities to uphold their commitments to tolerance and non-discrimination in a manner that adequately addresses intolerance as regards homophobia and transphobia.
Turkish LGBT group Kaos GL hosted 2nd Regional Network Against Homophobia on 16-19 February in Ankara with the participation of organisations from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, Lebanon, Serbia and Turkey.
First session, moderated by Mamikon Hovsepyan, head of PINK Armenia, welcomed new groups that joined the Network and discussed current developments and changes in participating countries.
There was also “Photography Presentation” by Nazik Armenakyan from Armenia.
Activists from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, Lebanon, Serbia and Turkey came together to talk about forming news ways of network and using it as a powerful tool against hate and as a solidarity shelter in the regions. During the meetings, discussions on how and what kind of a network to create, motivations for the network, best practices from each country (such as shelters, legal victories and media…), challenges being faced, organizational needs and future cooperation took place.
Participants agreed that we reach information about each other via far channels and on different platforms; instead, we wish to reach each other in our own countries and in our local realities. The network will be established in a way it is used as a source of information about regional updates and as a pool of knowledge on local policies and developments.
The meeting was started with a welcoming forum for the new organizations and countries. Pro LGBT from Albania, Gender and Development from Azerbaijan and Helem from Lebanon took the floor to introduce their work and the most dominant agendas in the countries. Pro Albania underlined the importance of the current Anti-Discrimination Bill to be implemented. Helem expressed the “Morality Police” pressure on the community, Article 534 in Penal Code which prohibits having sexual relations that are "contradicting the laws of nature” and the BDS campaign they are endorsing. Gender and Development have expressed their stance on the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest by saying: “We do not want Europeans to come and organize a Pride event in our country. We have our own ways of working against homophobia and transphobia in our own local contexts.”
Organizations have shared their organizational needs for a number of work fields. A good number of organizations have expressed their need to reach the regional information from first hand. Other needs were to establish a lawyers network with a wealth of knowledge on local and international court results and establish a media network to promote human rights of LGBTs in the three regions.
One of the outstanding parts of the network meeting was “Existence of Lesbians and Bisexual Women: Looking at Patriachy and Feminism”. Biljana Stankovic from NLO Novi Sad Lesbian Organization and Andrea Gilbert from Athens Pride took the floor to speak on the issue from their own local realities. Stankovic, mainly speaking on women’s solidarity and the influence of wars on women and female sexuality, expressed: “We started as women in peace movements and as conscientious objectors. When Yugoslavia fell apart, there was hate speech spreading all over the Balkans. So we started writing solidarity and peace letters to each other in prisons, in shelters and as refugees.”
The Regional Network meetings will continue with sub-regional meetings in the three regions. The first sub-regional meeting will be hosted by Queer Zagreb in Croatia. The event not only aims to bring the network members together but also support the local activities being held in the hosting country during the time of the visit. The dates of the meeting in Croatia will be announced soon.
“The real violence… the violence that I realised was unforgivable is the violence that we do to ourselves, when we are too afraid to be who we really are.” #Sense8
Մարտիրոս Սարյան: "Իմ կարծիքով, մեզ՝ որպես արևելյան ժողովրդի, չափազանց կպատշաճեր բազմագույն դրոշը, որն ի հայտ է բերում ինքը` չքնաղ և հավերժ գեղեցիկ ծիածանը:"(source)
Posts
