Armenia delegate at Council of Europe Zaruhi Postanjyan signs PACE declaration on Lithuanian discriminatory anti-gay law

Great to know that Armenian MP from parliamentary opposition Heritage party Zaruhi Postanjyan has principled position not only re Armenia related human rights issues in general which I always commended, but inclusive of gay rights too. My respects to Zaruhi.

She is the only delegate from a Council of Europe ex-Soviet country (if we not count one Latvian representative) to sign this PACE declaration about the Lithuanian discriminatory anti-gay law.
***

Doc. 11969
23 June 2009

Lithuanian Law on the protection of minors restricts publication of information on homosexual and bisexual relations

Written Declaration No 428

This written declaration commits only the members who have signed it
________________________________________

We, the undersigned members of the Assembly,

Note with concern the adoption by the Lithuanian Parliament of a law which:

- deems public information “agitating” for homosexual and bisexual relations detrimental to the “mental health, physical, intellectual or moral development of minors”;
- prohibits the publication of such information except in places or at times when such information would be inaccessible to minors,

Are shocked that such information has been classified with the promotion of drugs or suicide, and the portrayal of killings, mutilation or torture;

Believe that this legislation will serve only to perpetuate discrimination and intolerance and deny young lesbian, gay and bisexual persons access to information which they need in order to live in accordance with their sexual orientation;

Emphasise that these provisions violate both the European Convention on Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,

Call upon:
- the President of Lithuania to refer the law back to the Parliament for revision in the light of Lithuania’s international human rights obligations;
- the Parliament of Lithuania to eliminate all discriminatory references to homosexual and bisexual relationships in this law.

Signed:
• HÄGG Carina, Sweden, SOC
• JENSEN Mogens, Denmark, SOC
• BOSWELL Tim, United Kingdom, EDG
• CIRCENE Ingrida, Latvia, EPP/CD
• ČURDOVÁ Anna, Czech Republic, SOC
• ELZINGA Tuur, Netherlands, UEL
• ELZINGA Tuur, Netherlands, UEL
• FRAHM Pernille, Denmark, UEL
• GALE Anita, United Kingdom, SOC
• GARDETTO Jean-Charles, Monaco, EPP/CD
• HANCOCK Michael, United Kingdom, ALDE
• HUSS Jean, Luxembourg, SOC
• IVANJI Željko, Serbia, EPP/CD
• JENSEN Michael Aastrup, Denmark, ALDE
• JOHN-CALAME Francine, Switzerland, SOC
• JONKER Corien W.A., Netherlands, EPP/CD
• KELEMEN Attila Bela Ladislau, Romania, EPP/CD
• LAMBERT Geert, Belgium, SOC
• LEMPENS Paul, Netherlands, UEL
• LEUTHEUSSER-SCHNARRENBERGER Sabine, Germany, ALDE
• MAURY PASQUIER Liliane, Switzerland, SOC
• MONFILS Philippe, Belgium, ALDE
• MÓSESDÓTTIR Lilja, Iceland, UEL
• OHLSSON Carina, Sweden, SOC
• POSTANJYAN Zaruhi, Armenia, EPP/CD
• RACHOŃ Janusz, Poland, EPP/CD
• ROSOVÁ Tatiana, Slovak Republic, EPP/CD
• STOLFI Fiorenzo, Saint-Marin, SOC
• STUMP Doris, Switzerland, SOC
• von SYDOW Björn, Sweden, SOC
• De VRIES Klaas, Netherlands, SOC
• WILLE Paul, Belgium, ALDE

Total = 32

EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party
SOC: Socialist Group
EDG: European Democratic Group
ALDE: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
UEL: Group of the Unified European Left
NR: not registered in a group

*Thanks to B.F. for the info.
**photo - by RFE/RL

About Manneken Pis

I knew that I could not expect much of the so called ‘symbol’ of Brussels – Manneken Pis. But the reality was even worse, much worse than I expected. Manneken Pis is beyond words unremarkable. So bad, in fact, that I was almost speechless when I first saw it.

The only use of Manneken Pis is for tourist industry and related services. Few examples – below.

Brussels (photostory)

*René Magritte, well known Belgian surrealist/impressionist/mixed style artist.

*This is a monument (in downtown Brussels) devoted to gay rights activists and gay icons.

Homoerotic statues at Arkhangelskoye Estate Museum, Moscow, Russia

Could not resist of posting these, shall we say, pretty something pictures of statues at Arkhangelskoye Estate Museum near Moscow. Photos via prominent Russian gay rights activist Nikolai Alekseev blog.

All-male Romeo & Juliet by Roman Viktyuk in Moscow

*via Gay.ru

Palestine to be represented at Mr Gay Europe 2009

Looking at the list of so far announced Mr Gay Europe 2009 participants, this guy caught my attention as he will represent Palestine at this year's contest. [Update 19 September 2010: Name, photo and personal info are deleted due to security reasons.]

"I would like to represent Palestine because I have lived long time hiding that I am gay. I am trying to break the psychological and cultural barriers."

Despite some initial hints, no indication that anyone from Armenia, or South Caucasus, will participate. The first and the only South Caucasus participation at the contest so far came from Sadikh Ragimov who represented Azerbaijan in 2007.

Mr Gay Europe 2009 will take place in Oslo, Norway, 19-23 August.

Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of Russia Today: 'Respect for gay rights could save Russia’s image'

Last September I posted on Unzipped about Russia-born Armenian Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of Russia’s main (state sponsored) English language TV channel Russia Today.

Citing Infox.ru, GayRussia.ru reports of a conference in Moscow aimed at discussing a seriously troubled international image of Russia. It took place on 15 June, with the participation of MPs, experts, public figures and journalists.

Margarita Simonyan raised the issue of recent police break-up of gay rights rally during the Eurovision 2009 in Moscow, prompting Infox.ru to headline its conference report as «Имидж России мог спасти гей-парад».

“This may seem like a minor thing for us, but in reality it has seriously spoiled Russia’s international image. After the break-up of gay parade, BBC dedicated an hour-long program to the event. The last time such thing has happened was during the August war in the Caucasus”, says Margarita Simonyan.

[…] Главный редактор телеканала Russia Today Маргарита Симонян вспомнила про разгон гей-парада в Москве, который долго обсуждался в иностранной прессе. «Это у нас кажется, что это мелочи, но на самом деле они очень сильно портят образ России. После разгона гей-парада этому событию была посвящена часовая программа на «Би-би-си». Последний раз такое было только во время августовской войны на Кавказе», — объяснила Симонян. […]

GayRussia.ru reminds that “Russia Today regularly and objectively covers different events in the life of the LGBT Community in Russia. This year the journalists of the channel not only covered the public action of the Slavic Gay Pride on May 16th but also the attempt to register a same-sex marriage on May 12th”.

These remarks by Margarita Simonyan are relevant not just for Russia. The state of gay rights and equality in any country is usually indicative of the state of human rights in general. This has, therefore, direct and significant impact on country’s international image.

Anyone who cares about Armenia’s international image should take a serious note of Margarita Simonyan’s remarks.

*photo - via Passport magazine

Armenian soldier (Picture of the Day)

I am simply astonished by this photo. A masterpiece by Ruben Mangasaryan.

*Source: Analyticon (thanks to Tzitzernak2 for the link)

Լուսանկարի հեղինակը լուսահոգի Ռուբեն Մանգասարյանն է, որ այս դրվագն անմահացրել է պատերազմի ժամանակ՝ Քարվաճառում: Մարտական գործողությունների կարճատև դադարի ժամանակ հայ զինվորը առիթը բաց չի թողել բնական տաք ջրում ցայվելու համար

Sirusho weds Armenia ex-president son (photo)

Armenian pop singer and Eurovision 2008 representative (Qele, Qele - 4th place) Sirusho weds (6 June) Armenia ex-president Robert Kocharyan's son Levon Kocharyan (Twitter).

The Armenian Reporter posted photos from the 'wedding of the year' and a brief info on the ceremony and guests. (below)

"The most anticipated and talked­-about wedding of the year took place in Yerevan on June 6. Armenian pop singer Sirusho married Levon Kocharian, son of Armenia's second president Robert Kocharian.

Hundreds of fans had gathered near Sirusho's house to have a glimpse of the bride as the groom and his family arrived to take her to church. As soon as she stepped out of the building's entrance, Levon Kocharian quickly took her hand and led her to the waiting car. President Kocharian and his wife Bella hung back and greeted the assembled neighbors, fans, and onlookers, along with Sirusho's parents, singer Suzan Margarian and actor Hrachia Harutyunyan.

The wedding ceremony took place in the ancient Sourb Gayane Church in Etchmiadzin. A lavish wedding reception followed at the Ojakh restaurant and banquet complex.

Never before had so many high-ranking officials, including Armenia's current president, Serge Sargsian, and famous personalities such as Tata, Hayko, Arsen Safaryan, Arman Hovhanissian, Alla Levonian, Zaruhi Babayan, Razmik Amyan, and others been assembled in one place."

Alex Bego: Russian Men art project

Gay.ru reports on Russian Men art project by photographer and film director Alex Bego. You may find a sample of his work (photo/video) here.

Cher's daughter Chastity Bono comes out as transgender person

Musician, writer and activist Chastity Bono, daughter of pop icon of Armenian origin Cher and Sonny Bono, has come out as transgender person, announcing (via publicist) plans to transition from female to male. This is effectively Chastity's second coming out after announcing in mid-90s that she is lesbian. Publicist Bragman tells TMZ that "Chaz, after many years of consideration, has made the courageous decision to honour his true identity." Full story below, via Yahoo News.

Cher's daughter Chastity Bono is undergoing surgery to become a man

*via Yahoo News

The writer, actress and musician - who confirmed she was gay in a magazine interview in 1995 - has been considering having the gender reassignment operation for a while, according to Bono's publicist Howard Bragman.

He reveals the gay rights activist's decision has been welcomed by her family and friends, and Bono - now known as Chaz - began the lengthy process to change genders after celebrating her 40th birthday in March.

Friends, including Bragman, have already started referring to her as a 'he'.

Bragman tells TMZ, "Chaz, after many years of consideration, has made the courageous decision to honour his true identity.

"He is proud of his decision and grateful for the support and respect that has already been shown by his loved ones. It is Chaz's hope that his choice to transition will open the hearts and minds of the public regarding this issue, just as his 'coming out' did nearly 20 years ago.

"We ask that the media respect Chaz's privacy during this long process."

Meanwhile, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has come out to salute Bono.

President Neil Giuliano says, "Chaz Bono's decision to live his life authentically represents an important step forward, both for him personally and for all who are committed to advancing discussions about fairness and equality for transgender people.

"Coming out as transgender is an extremely personal decision and one that is never made lightly. We look forward to hearing Chaz's story in his own words in the future."

*photo - via Queerty

WTF? A bizarre follow-up to my posts on gay-themed theatre play in Vanadzor, Armenia

Remember that gay-themed theatre play MetastaZ I posted about? The one which then received theatrical awards including for “best young director” in an annual theatre award ceremony in Yerevan.

After almost a year I first posted the info & videos, now the “best young director” (award received for that very play) and the main actress feel ‘ashamed’ and ‘outraged’ of publicity after my posts and videos. They asked me (I am not sure what was the exact wording they used) - through other people involved in the play - to delete my posts and videos. I doubt they understand English, otherwise they would have read my posts properly and understand that there were no X-rated comments there, unless you consider as ‘X-rated’ positive and nice things said about the play. Unless you consider as ‘X-rated’ any gay related blog. Bear in mind that the play itself was gay-themed.

I have only one question: WTF is going on?

You write the gay-themed play, you participate in it, you receive prizes for it, and now (after quite a while, I have to say) you are ashamed and outraged of the info being published in gay blogs? You are ashamed and outraged to be seen in a scene (which one of you directed and the other one played in) with a gay kiss? In fact, back then, they were very happy and thankful that the videos were made.

But the most ridiculous thing is the following. One of the reasons why they want the videos to be deleted is the actress’s boyfriend dislike that she is dancing there for everyone to see. I cannot even comment on this. This is beyond me. Why on earth she became an actress, and why on earth he is dating an actress if cannot stand an innocent dance during the play?..

You know what, I do not need your videos. You should ask me to keep them here. From today onwards all three uploaded to YouTube videos are private and will no longer be available to public. (there is no such possibility re one video clip uploaded directly to the blogger, so it will stay) Now it’s your turn, Ms. “best young director” Nune Khechumyan. What about giving up the “best young director” award? Слабо?

And one more thing. Re my blog posts, no one can dictate me of what I should and should not write on my blog. I can comment on any event I feel like it or find appropriate. That’s not your f* business.

The Fall of Communism as Seen in Gay Pornography

This film was made in 1998 by William Jones and is currently shown at 53rd Venice Biennale.

Description
Every image in The Fall of Communism as Seen in Gay Pornography comes from gay erotic videos produced in Eastern Europe since the introduction of capitalism. The video provides a glimpse of young men responding to the pressures of an unfamiliar world, one in which money, power and sex are now connected.

To see The Fall of Communism as Seen in Gay Pornography, click here.

*Directed, written, narrated, and edited by William E. Jones

Music by Jean-Pierre Bedoyan

Sound mix by Craig Smith

Getting a massage in a bath house in Tbilisi, Georgia

"I'm stark naked and lying face down while a man in shorts attacks me in a manner that, under normal circumstances, I would regard as outright physical assault. But, just before I scream in pain, the masseur stops to dump a huge bucket of hot water over me on my marble slap. It's my first evening in Tbilisi, the capital of the former Soviet republic of Georgia, and I'm finding out how the local guys like to relax - in the beautiful tiled surroundings of one of the city's ancient bath houses, wreathed in the smell of sulphur from one of the hot springs beneath the city."

(Extract from Maxton Walker's report in The Guardian where he writes about the devastating impact of Russia-Georgia war on tourism in Georgia)

*photo - by Maxton Walker, via The Guardian

Gay couple in Yerevan (Picture of the Day)

Armenian blogger Smbatgogyan spotted today this gay couple in Yerevan, walking along Republic sq. and affectionately holding each other's hands in public. (not the way straight men in Armenia would commonly do, but the way lovers or partners would do) Blogger amused by how intimate and affectionate these guys were.

I wish Yerevan will become a place where all people, locals or visitors, regardless of sexuality, will enjoy their time, without being afraid of public displays of affections. This picture is more of an exception than a rule. But it's perhaps a sign that things are changing in Yerevan, slowly, painfully, but changing. Here is hoping...

Մի սիրային զույգի մասին

Ուրեմն մի-քանի օր առաջ երեկոյան ավտոյով գնում էի, մեկ էլ զգում եմ, որ դիմացովս գնացող տաքսին օրորվելով է առաջ գնում: Զգուշացա, ընթացքս դանդաղեցրեցի ու մեկ էլ նկատեցի........ տաքսիի հետևը երկուսով իրար են փաթաթվել ու համբուրվում են: Խեղճ տաքսիստ, երևի այդ օրվանից դադարեց տաքսիստ աշխատել:

Այսօր էլ Հանրապետության Հրապարակով բարձրանում էի, մեկ էլ այդ սիրահար զույգին տեսա` այնքան մտերմիկ էին զրուցում, այնքան քնքշորեն էին իրար նայում, որ մարդու նախանձ էին առաջացնում: Բարեբախտաբար հաջողվեց ֆիքսել այդ սրտատրոփ պահը:

Tsovinar - Drowning in You [Lake Sevan remix]

Thanks to the author of Armenian Trends blog (in French), I came across this link to Tsovinar's music video - Drowning in You [Lake Sevan remix]. It's quite different and original.


Description:
Filmed on location at the Ayrivank Monastery and Lake Sevan, Armenia. Guest guitar player Vartan Rabidian. Based on the poem "The Evening Sea / Իրիկուան Ծովը" by Mateos Zarifian. Read by poet Lola Koundakjian (The Armenian Poetry Project).

From Tsovinar's MySpace blog:

I am not Hye though I lived in Armenia for several years. The name Tsovinar (Ծովինար) is very ancient and very sacred. It was given to one of the pre-Christian deities in the Armenian pantheon.

Tsovinar, or Nar, is the Armenian goddess of water, sea, and rain. A fire creature, she forces the rain and hail to fall from the heavens with her fury. Her name translates as "Nar on the sea." (Wikipedia)

The Armenian culture is one of the more fascinating ones I have ever had the honor of experiencing. I am a very poor musician and I believe it shows in these songs, but ever since I first heard the ancient wooden double-reed flute called the duduk I have been spell-bound by its haunting beauty. I have always wanted a chance to record with it and when the opportunity arose I took it.

I hope these songs please the listener. I do not try to pass myself off as something other that I am; a poor amateur scratching the surface of a beautiful world of music stretching back to the beginning of the mountains. I hope you can enjoy.

‘Breaking news’: Gay military parade in downtown Tbilisi, Georgia

OK-OK. Not quite yet. It is Georgian ‘Onion News’ making fun of Georgian homophobes and their false patriotism.

There is this website called Ni2 News (ni2 (“niori”) in Georgian means “garlic”). Group of authors reflect on current news and make their very own ‘fake news’/satire, a Georgian version of ‘Onion News’. It is really funny.

This particular ‘breaking news’ relates to the recent NATO led exercises in Georgia widely opposed by Russia. The news says that after NATO trainings finished Israeli army expressed interest to train their Georgian peers. As we know, it is possible in Israeli army to be openly gay. So this time a gay unit called "SodGom" will come to Georgia to train Georgian army. After training is over, they will parade on Rustaveli avenue (the main street in Tbilisi). Georgia is happy with this decision because it increases defence capacity and simultaneously brings itself closer to the EU with this show of respect to the rights of sexual minorities.

With this post, Ni2 News reflects upon recent homophobic statements and actions in Georgia (and anti gay pride march hysteria), particularly those from Church connected far right orthodox groups. The ‘news’ item plays with the fact that due to traditional Georgian hospitality they will not dare to bully foreign (guest) soldiers. They won't have enough balls to go and fight one of the best armies in the world, and they won't endanger the military partnership with the West. So they have to suck up to the gay march on the main street of their country. :)

Hilarious. One of their previous ‘news’ was about Carl Lagerfeld getting a contract from Georgian church to update their outfits.

*Thanks to Paata and Saba for info and translation.
**photo - via Ni2 News

The Tunnel: “authorised graffiti area" in London

I am not sure I liked the idea of “authorised graffiti”. It was fun to pass via the graffiti tunnel under the arches at London Waterloo station. But I prefer graffiti 'underground', rebellious rather than “authorised”.

Emo in Yerevan: Eccentric and emotional teenagers challenge society (ArmeniaNow)

This week's top story by ArmeniaNow is about alternative sub-cultures, particularly emo, in Armenia, and how difficult is it to be different. My respect to these teenagers who defy stereotypes and societal 'expectations' and live their life the way they want to live. Below are selected extracts from the report. I am glad that after a hiatus, one of my favourite Armenian online publications is regaining itself and re-started posting reports on issues not covered by the mainstream.

*ArmeniaNow

When Argam and Nelly walk along the street together, many passers-by turn around to check them out. The teenagers dressed in black and pink attract attention with their haircuts with a front fringe closing one of their eyes and eyes heavily painted in black

Argam and Nelly, both 18, are representatives of emo culture. (A popular youth movement mainly in the United States and Europe, with a wide internet community such as: http://emospace.ning.com/)

Emos initially used to be fans of emo rock, and later emo culture was formed. The word ‘emo’ is derived from the English word ‘emotional.’ Emos are usually 12-18-year-olds; they wear either black or pink clothes, tight jeans, fingernails painted in black and listen to Emo music (Tokyo Hotel, AFI, Avril Lavine, etc.). (The first emo appeared in Yerevan in 2007.)

Argam Babayan, 18, is believed to be the only ‘Emo boy’ in Yerevan. Argam does not exclude that there might be other emo boys in the city, too, however, they are afraid to go out dressed like emo teenagers.

“I am not afraid, I dress like this all the time, and I do not want to change myself. However, when I walk in the street folks can insult me any time. They point at me, they say that I am a girl, or they ask whether I am a boy or if I am gay,” says Argam, who might be mistaken for a girl because he wears his hair long and also wears pink bracelets.

Emo teenagers say that there are about 20-25 emos in Yerevan, however only five of them are active in the theme. Argam says that it is because of the difficulty of being an emo in Armenia.

“The real emo must have a very expressive appearance and only a few would dare to dress emo style here,” says Argam. (Besides emos there are minority groups of goths, punks, Satanists and other youth movements in Yerevan)

[Unzipped: Gay Armenia - couple of month ago I posted a video on "Armenian satanists" on Unzipped]

[...] He works nightshift at a plastic bottle production shop at the Aparan waters plant. Argam says he got the job with great difficulty.

“I worked in a supermarket, and one day my boss came and told me to cut my hair the next day and only then come to work. And without saying anything I simply quit the job,” says Argam. [...]

The emos Argam and Nelly meet very often, they go for walks in downtown Yerevan, more often in the city’s area known as Cascade.

“When nobody understands you, you try to find someone who would entirely understand you. Now I am very happy that we have met,” says Argam.

*photo - Nazik Armenakyan / ArmeniaNow.com

Cross-dressing Georgian pop star Anri Jokhadze lampoons 'Happy Nation' of Georgia

This is simply hilarious.



Via This is Tbilisi Calling:

“Is there a nation as happy as ours?”

Sometimes it takes a supreme pop satirist to sum up a twisted situation in a suitably surreal way. Now, the past two gruelling months of confrontation between opposition and government in Georgia have been encapsulated in a hilarious pop video by singer Anri Jokhadze.

Taking as its theme a phrase from nineteenth-century Georgian poet-hero Ilia Chavchavadze, the Happy Nation video lampoons President Mikheil Saakashvili, his opponents, and various other Georgian celebrities, as well as satirising well-known Georgian pop-propaganda videos.

Anyone who’s familiar with the drama that’s been playing itself out on the streets in Tbilisi in recent weeks should take time out to watch. The final frames – if you get the references – are truly tragic-comic.
***
There is more about Anri Jokhadze on Gay Caucasus (in Russian).