Introducing bigot - Gevorg Altunyan of Armenia Public TV

Homophobia Hall of Shame has a new ‘resident’: Gevorg Altunyan, deputy head of news and analytical programs at Public TV in Armenia ում “առողջ բանականության սահմաններում ընկալելն անհնար է” (using his own words).

You know that things didn't change that much in Armenia when apart from handful of protests/comments on Facebook there have been no complaints sent to Public TV in Armenia after homophobic and transphobic outbursts by 'star commentator' Gevorg Altunyan in his Tesankyun TV programme. He didn't apologise and he still works in Public TV as a “Deputy Head of news and analytical programs”.



Disgraceful.

I devote him this song: You Think You're A Man.

Article in Aravot daily (AM): «Քարերով, թրերով կգան գեյ-շքերթի»

Despite all seemingly positive changes and signed documents, the situation with LGBT rights has not moved that far in Armenia. Not that it's news, but below is just another indication of the reality that many face in Armenia.

*via Aravot daily

ԼԳԲՏ համայնքի ներկայացուցիչները իրենց նվաստացած են զգում Հայաստանում

2009 թվականին ՄԱԿ-ի գլխավոր ասամբլեայի հերթական նստաշրջանի ժամանակ 64 երկրների թվում Հայաստանը եւս ստորագրեց մի հայտարարության տակ, ըստ որի՝ մեր երկիրն այլեւս պարտավորվում է բացառել սեռական փոքրամասնությունների (լեսբիների, գեյերի, բիսեքսուալների, տրանսվեստիտների՝ ԼԳԲՏ-ների) հանդեպ ցանկացած բռնություն: Սակայն փաստաթուղթը այս տարիների ընթացքում չօգնեց ԼԳԲՏ համայնքի ներկայացուցիչներին՝ պաշտպանելու պարբերաբար ոտնահարվող իրենց իրավունքները:

Հայաստանում ԼԳԲՏ համայնքի ներկայացուցիչները շարունակում են որպես «տեսակ» ծպտված ապրել:

Ոտնահարվող իրավունքների, իրենց հանդեպ ցուցաբերված անհանդուրժողականության մասին վկայում են 27-ամյա Աշոտն ու 21-ամյա Յաշան :

Ըստ Յաշայի, «ոչ մի հայ կամ ինչպես ընդունված է ասել՝ «շրջապատի տղա» չի հանդուրժում միասեռականներին: Եթե հանկարծ իմանան, որ, օրինակ, իրենց հարեւան շենքի Ալիկը գեյ է, դա կդառնա ամբողջ թաղամասի քննարկման թեման. կսկսեն տղերքով հավաքվել ու պլաններ գծել, թե ոնց Ալիկին բռնեն-ծեծեն: Մի քանի տարի առաջ գնացել էի Բուժական՝ ամառանոցում հանգստանալու: Հարեւանները նկատել էին, որ ես միայն տղա հյուրեր եմ ունենում, դրա համար էլ սկսել էին հետեւել իմ ամեն քայլին: Մի օր էլ, երբ ընկերոջս հետ լողավազանում էինք, նկատեցինք, որ լողավազանին կպած պարսպի հետեւի կողմից մեծ-մեծ քարեր են թափվում մեզ վրա՝ հարեւաններն էին…»:

Աշոտի փոխանցմամբ, ինքն էլ է անհանդուրժողականության դրսեւորումների բախվել՝ դեռեւս բանակում ծառայելու տարիներից: «Ինձ անընդհատ նվաստացնում էին, անգամ բռնաբարության փորձեր եղան, իսկ ես չէի կարող բողոքել, որովհետեւ հենց հրամանատարն էր կարգադրել ինձ ճնշել: Ծառայությունից հետո ընդունվեցի բուհ, իմ անձի հանդեպ ճնշումները շարունակվեցին եւս հինգ տարի: Ավարտելուց հետո անցա աշխատանքի, այնտեղ էլ իմ՝ ոչ ավանդական կողմնորոշման համար անվտանգության աշխատողների կողմից ծեծվեցի»,- հիշում է Աշոտը:

Հայաստանում ո՞ր ոլորտում են ԼԳԲՏ ներկայացուցիչները ավելի շատ: Յաշան նշում է, որ հիմնականում գեղեցկության սրահներում են, բարերում, ռեստորաններում. «Սակայն դա չի նշանակում, թե մերոնք կրթություն չունեն: Այն մարդիկ, որոնց մենք ճանաչում ենք, բոլորն էլ բարձրագույն կրթությամբ, զարգացած անհատներ են: Մեր շրջապատում բժիշկներ կան, որոնք հրավիրվում են արտասահման՝ վիրահատություններ կատարելու, իսկ Հայաստանում նրանց կոլեգաները լուրեր են տարածում, թե այդ գոմիկներին մարդու կյանք մի՛ վստահեք: Մեկը լինի, նման կերպ մտածողներին բուժի»:

Տարածաշրջանի երկրներից որտե՞ղ են ավելի ազատ եւ պաշտպանված ԼԳԲՏ համայնքի ներկայացուցիչները: Մեր այս հարցի առնչությամբ տղաները նշեցին, որ ԼԳԲՏ ներկայացուցիչների վրա ճնշումներ բոլոր տեղերում էլ լինում են, բայց ամենատխուր վիճակը Հայաստանում է: Նրանց համոզմամբ, Վրաստանում պատկերն ավելի բարվոք է՝ սեփական փորձով են համոզվել, Վրաստանում աշխատելով, ապրելով:

Դիտարկմանը, թե Հայաստանում ԼԳԲՏ համայնքը ներկայացնող կազմակերպություններից մեկն ամեն տարի հանդուրժողականության մրցանակ է հանձնում լրագրողներին, դա չի՞ նշանակում, որ արդեն կարծրատիպեր են փշրվել, քանի որ նմանատիպ կազմակերպությունները ավանդաբար պնդում են, որ ԶԼՄ-ները հոմոֆոբիա են տարածում, Աշոտը պատասխանեց. «Չեմ կարծում, թե կարծրատիպեր են փշրվել, իսկ այդ մրցանակը տալու փաստը ուղղակի հարմար առիթ է՝ մեր մասին եւս մեկ անգամ բարձրաձայնելու համար: Համաձայն եմ, լրագրողներն էլ իրենց մեղքի բաժինն ունեն, որ ոչ ավանդական սեռական կողմնորոշում ունեցողներին համարում են հիվանդներ, շեղվածներ»:

Իսկ թե ինչպես կընդունվի, օրինակ, գեյ-շքերթի անցկացումը Հայաստանում, Աշոտը համոզված է, որ հայաստանյան գեյ-շքերթների մասին խոսք լինել չի կարող. «Բացառվում է: Եթե հիմա նույնիսկ փողոցով ազատ չենք կարող քայլել, ոստիկաններն անընդհատ հետապնդում են մեզ, էլ ի՞նչ շքերթի մասին է խոսքը: Եթե այդ թեմայով անգամ խոսակցություն լինի, մեզ տեռորի կենթարկեն: Նախկին ոստիկանապետն ինքն էր ասել, որ մեզ պիտի վառեն-վերացնեն, բա որ գեյ-շքե՞րթ կազմակերպենք՝ ինչ կանեն»: Շարունակելով ընկերոջը՝ Յաշան ավելացրեց, որ Հայաստանը այս առումով շատ հետամնաց է. «Եթե հանկարծ մարդիկ լսեն, որ գեյ-շքերթ է անցկացվելու, Հայաստանի բոլոր ընդդիմադիր ու դիմադիր ուժերը կմիավորվեն ու քարերով, թրերով-սրերով կգան այդ շքերթին»:

ԵՎԱ ՀԱԿՈԲՅԱՆ
«Առավոտ» օրաթերթ

“Swimming to Chicago” - New novel by David-Matthew Barnes featuring gay Armenian teen

SWIMMING TO CHICAGO tells the story of a young gay Armenian-American teen growing up in a small Southern town.

It has been recognized by the American Library Association for their annual list of Rainbow Books - outstanding novels for LGBTQ children and teens.

Swimming to Chicago
A Young Adult Novel by David-Matthew Barnes

Reeling from his mother's suicide, seventeen-year-old Alex Bainbridge retreats from the world around him, often finding solace on a secluded island behind his house. As an Armenian-American living in a small Southern town, Alex struggles to fit in. His close friendship with the outspoken Jillian Dambro is his only saving grace, until he meets and falls in love with Robby LaMont - an introverted new student at school. As the year unfolds and the lives of the adults around them unravel, the three teens form an unbreakable bond, vowing to do anything to stay together - even if it means leaving everything behind.
(Amazon)

When I received the info on this book, I became curious to find out: Why did the author choose for his main character to be Armenian-American? Any specific reasons for that?

I asked these questions directly to David-Matthew Barnes. He explained to Unzipped: Gay Armenia his motivation to make the main character of Swimming to Chicago an Armenian-American teen:

“When I started writing SWIMMING TO CHICAGO, I knew I wanted to explore a culture and society that had not been given the attention and focus it deserved, especially where teenagers are concerned.

I considered making the character of Alex an Iranian-American teen, mostly due to my emotional response to the execution of Ayaz Marhoni and Mahmoud Asgari.  But, I felt their story was told beautifully by Jay Paul Deratany in his stage play HARAM IRAN.

I continued researching and soon discovered articles about gay rights (or the lack of) in Armenia. The more I read, the more I became certain that Alex needed to be Armenian-American. Most importantly, because - to my knowledge - a young adult novel written by an American author has never featured a gay Armenian teen character as its protagonist. I hope that not only Armenian-American teens will identify with Alex, but also other young people from conservative cultures would as well.

While working on the novel, I found and read an article. This motivated and inspired me to write Alex's story. I knew it was one that needed to be told.”
***


Selected for 'Best of the Books' by The Washington Blade!

"I love books that can destroy their own labels...Davud-Matthew Barnes' marvelous Swimming to Chicago will doubtless be put on the YA shelf...a well-told tale...that will engross readers of all ages...riveting..."
Jerry Wheeler, Out in Print

"I found myself unable to put it down..."
Sara Power, Books Your Kids Will Love

"A beautiful love story told from a host of different perspectives which allows us to truly appreciate the interconnectivity of our world."
Carsen Taite, Author of Nothing but the Truth and Do Not Disturb

"With what has been happening with our gay youth, David-Matthew Barnes gives us a book that is so important...It is not often that I come upon a book that pulls me in so completely...it could be a combination of wonderfully drawn characters, a terrific plot and great writing. Barnes gives us three terrific characters in Alex, Robby and Jillian...I found myself cheering our heroes on and wanting to take them by the hands and lead them through."
Amos Lassen, Reviews by Amos Lassen

"Is there a way to give a book six stars? Because this book is definitely 5-plus...David-Matthew Barnes writes beautifully, his characters are vivid and his plot is a winding road of twists and turns...I cared so much about the characters, I couldn't stop reading...This is a lovely, lovely read..."
D. Jackson Leigh, author of Call Me Softly and Long Shot

"The author’s knack for dialogue is indicative of his experience as a playwright. Conversations are honest, gritty, and profound, and most importantly, germane to the story and its outcome."
Christopher Verleger, EDGE

"This was a heartbreaking story...I enjoyed the book. It made me think once again about how we need to fight for acceptance...this book highlighted the need to stop bullying and the fears gay high school students have when deciding whether or not to reveal their sexuality."
Lilly Road

"Like many teenagers, Alex just wants to belong and to be truly liked...Swimming to Chicago provides twists, shock and escape..."
Amy Steele, Entertainment Realm

WOW factor: Diaspora Armenian making gay-themed Turkish film, receiving prize for it in Turkey

I asked award winning cinematographer Norayr Kasper to comment on the uniqueness of the combination of Diaspora Armenian making Turkish film on a gay-themed subject and winning the prize for it in Turkey.

Says Norayr Kasper: “Naturally, there are connotations regarding the reality of me working there; this is a complex question to discuss. Ultimately, this award is about my work as a cinematographer, not as an Armenian. And above all else, this is about artists coming together to work on an important human rights issue, freedom of expression, and making a difference through our collaboration, which transcends borders and identity.”

Zenne Dancer has been inspired by the true story of Ahmet Yildiz, who was murdered for being gay at the age 26 by his own father in 2008.



Below are extract from articles and press releases re Zenne Dancer.

[Official website Facebook page]
***
The Hollywood Reporter

Gay-themed 'Zenne Dancer' Wins Awards at Antalya Film Fest
The drama, from directors M.Caner Alper and Mehmet Binay, deals with homosexuals in the Turkish military.

ANTALYA – The 48th edition of the International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival ended this weekend with a surprising four awards for M.Caner Alper and Mehmet Binay’s Zenne Dancer, a first-time feature that deals with homosexuals in and outside the Turkish military. While the film was almost universally dismissed by international critics and festival guests, its hot-button topic led to a 10-minute standing ovation at its premiere screening and an all-female jury honoring it as Best First Film, along with awards for Best Cinematography (Norayr Casper), Best Supporting Actor (Erkan Avci) and Best Supporting Actress (Tilbe Saran). [...]
***
Hurriyet

'Zenne Dancer' stirs controversy on taboo subject

The award-winning Turkish feature “Zenne” (Zenne Dancer) will hit screens in mid-January. For the handful of people that have seen advanced screenings of the movie, however, it is already promising to be yet another litmus test of mainstream Turkish attitudes toward a prominent taboo: homosexuality.

The film’s controversial nature arises from its blunt tackling of homosexuality in its relation to traditions, family, state and the military. Co-directed by M. Caner Alper and Mehmet Binay, the film won five Golden Oranges at the recent Golden Orange Film Festival, Turkey’s most prestigious film event. “Zenne” took home the Best Film Award, the Turkish Cinema Critics Guild’s Best Debut Feature Award, as well as honors for cinematography and best supporting actor and actress.

“Zenne” is based on the true story of Ahmet Yıldız, a young gay man who was allegedly gunned down by his father in July 2008 after coming out. Ahmet’s father has yet to be tried for the alleged murder. [...]

***
Press release via Hetq Online:

Zenne Dancer, a groundbreaking Turkish indie feature film, won five awards at the largest film festival in Turkey. Norayr Kasper, a Canadian cinematographer of Armenian descent, was awarded Best Cinematography. The film also received the Best Film Award by the Turkish Cinema Critics Guild, Best First Film, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor.

Zenne Dancer sets Ahmet Yildiz’s tragedy against a backdrop of rigid patriarchy and the clash between traditional values and urban modernity. It is the first Turkish feature film to expose the degrading treatment of homosexuals in the Turkish military.  Ahmet Yildiz was 26 when he was gunned down outside his home. Ahmet’s father, who is being tried in absentia for allegedly murdering his son, has been evading justice for the past three years.

“I am honored to receive this recognition of my work by the Golden Orange jury,” says Norayr Kasper, who is the cinematographer of over 30 films, including Atom Egoyan’s CALENDAR. “Mehmet and Caner involved me from the beginning stages of this project and invited me to contribute with a specific style toward constructing a distinct visual narrative,” continues Kasper, “their sensibilities, dedication to excellence, and attention to detail greatly impressed me. I was also drawn to the subject matter, and its relevance in raising awareness of this important issue.”

Kasper and Binay met in 2008 at the Golden Apricot Film Festival in Armenia. Binay’s documentary film “Whispering Memories,” which tells the story of converted Armenians as a result of the Armenian Genocide, was screened at the 5th Annual Golden Apricot Film Festival.

The awards ceremony was broadcasted nationwide and in Europe on NTV News Channel. Among online comments, award-winning novelist Elif Safak wrote about Zenne Dancer, “a groundbreaking, captivating Turkish movie that’ll speak to our consciousness.”
It is worth noting that Harutyun Khachatryan’s documentary “Border” won Best Film at the Golden Orange Film Festival in 2009.

Co-director Mehmet Binay accepted the award on Mr. Kasper’s behalf and thanked him for “painting this film as a tableau.”

The Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival congratulates Norayr Kasper for his award.

National postal service operator in Armenia HayPost issued special edition of stamps to mark World AIDS Day

*source of picture: Lragir.am (Thanks to Mamikon for the link.)
**Haypost announcement (in English)

Queering Yerevan: the book

After successful fund raising efforts, Queering Yerevan published their book: "Queered: What's To Be Done with Xcentric Art" (no question mark)

Publication Date: November 21, 2011.
Description: A catalogue of art works and texts that have shaped the Queering Yerevan movement. It includes documentation from various exhibitions and art happenings, photography, critical texts, excerpts from experimental writing, fragments from the QY blog, and email correspondence from 2007-2011.
Languages: Armenian and English.
Contributors: Artists, writers, cultural critics, and activists who have worked or associated in some capacity with the QY collective.
Publisher: Tigran Mets Press.

You may read review of the book on IANYAN.

Congrats!!

Ridiculous being of Iranian regime: latest targets - football and male haircut

*Mohammad Nosrati (via Daily Mail)

*Sheys Rezaei (via Daily Mail)

This pair of Iranian footballers got suspended for lengthy periods and fined heavily for ‘immoral’ goal celebration. There were even suggestions that they may face lashes.

Two leading Iranian football players face floggings for celebrating goals in a manner the regime deems immoral.

Mohammed Nosrati appeared to place his hand on the buttocks of Sheys Rezaei as members of the Persepolis team, based in Tehran, jumped on each other to celebrate the winning goal in their 3-2 victory over rivals Damash last Saturday. Earlier in the game, which was watched by millions of Iranians on live television, Rezaei appeared to touch the bottom of another teammate, Alireza Noormohammadi, though he insists he was just trying to tickle him.

The Iranian football federation swiftly suspended both players and fined them nearly $40,000 (£25,000) each. But a Tehran judge, Valiallah Hosseini, has now suggested that they should be imprisoned and lashed as well.

“The two players should definitely be charged and sentenced according to Islamic punishment to two months prison and 74 lashes,” he said. Describing their behaviour as a “breach of public chastity”, he continued: “Even if a husband and wife conduct themselves inappropriately in public they are punishable (but) the two players have behaved like this in front of thousands in the stadium and television cameras.” [...] (The Times)

As per latest news, at least one of the players is reportedly seeking his career abroad.

While Nosrati is still under contract with Persepolis, Rezaei was released by the club. The former Persepolis captain, who had repeatedly violated the disciplinary code of the club in the past, reportedly is seeking his luck abroad now.

I’d say, ban football altogether. It’s sooo homoerotic.

But there is more to ridiculous being of Iranian regime.

Recent reports by Amnesty brought to our attention the issue of ‘legal male haircuts’. Apparently, there are only limited number of male haircuts that are ‘approved by state’ in Iran.

The Iranian government dictates which haircuts are acceptable for its citizens. This week's clip from Amnesty TV looks at which styles are approved by the state. The Simon Cowell, the lesser Simon Cowell and the Elvis are pretty safe. But don't even think of trying a mullet or ponytail. (watch the video on The Guardian)

A1+: "Your Topic" - HIV/AIDS

Pretty good programme (AM) on Armenian online TV station A1+, with a focus on HIV/AIDS from all the right angles, and with knowledgable guests who speak the type language that should be example to others.

It's time. Best gay marriage themed video I've seen to date

I know, this video is now all over the web, shared, re-blogged thousands of times. But it is so good, that I have to post it on my blog too. This is perhaps the best gay marriage-themed video I have seen to date. No sensationalism. Shows exactly what it is.



*video is made by Get Up marriage equality campaign in Australia: 
Remove discrimination from your heart. Remove it from law.

Raffi Boghossian “breaks free” in Bulgarian X factor, in drag, à la Queen

18 yrs old Raffi Boghossian of Armenian origin is from second-largest city in Bulgaria - Burgas. He is not a professional musician, but he is very charming, entertaining and talented guy. He dreams of singing in Wembley and wants to study business management or marketing in England.

"My biggest dream is to sing in front of thousands of people in a huge stadium like Wembley. I want to be one of the world's great artists," said Raffi, who is still a student.

He revealed that he wants to continue his education outside Bulgaria. Particularly, he wants to study business management or marketing in England.

Hilarious performance.



Here is Raffi’s fan page on Facebook, and personal FB page.

Must watch: Russian TV programme makes mockery of proposed anti-gay "propaganda" law in St Petersburg

If you know Russian, this programme is an absolute MUST WATCH. It was aired today by NTV Russian TV channel re proposed anti-gay "propaganda" law in St Petersburg.

It's a rare delight. Watch it from the very beginning till the very end. You will not regret it.

It's a must watch in Russia, in Armenia, and in post-Soviet states.

Greek Ukrainian Andreas sings: Make Love, à la Kazaky, and fights animal cruelty

According to the bio posted on his website and YouTube channel, Andreas was born and grew up in Greece. Contrary to his father desires (to see his son becoming a financier), he instead chose modelling and show business. He then left Greece and came to Ukraine, first as a tourist and then, in his own words, fell in love with the country and decided to stay there.

However, Ukraine is not terra incognita for Andreas. Born in Greek repatriated family, Andreas speaks Russian very well and with no accent, thanks to his living and studying in Moscow. Moreover, Andreas can be called an international project. He can sing very well in Russian, as well as in Greek, keeping the same temperament. [...] 

In his spare time, he is seriously interested in nature and animals protection.
‘It’s not enough just to feel sorry about cruel behavior and killing animals, - Andreas says, - we should do something! I’m going to organize some events for it. For example, I plan to make people stop wearing fur clothes. It’s time to pay high attention to the cruel behavior toward pet animals as well…Until we learn to treat animals well we won’t treat people well either…’

Sexy video à la Kazaky with important messages against animal cruelty and for love. Simple as this: Make Love.



The uncensored version can be accessed here with disturbing scenes of animal cruelty.

*Thanks to Nelly for the link.

How I ‘became’ gay. A very personal reflection ahead of return to Stalinism and Fascism in Russia

Ever was curious how I 'became' gay? What sort of "propaganda" turned me, a little child, into a homosexual guy?

Here is a story of my life. Well, sort of. A teeny-weeny part of it. How I ‘became’ gay.

I was a little child. It was still Soviet Union. There were no alternative sources of information. There was no Internet.

You turn on TV, and you embrace yet another heterosexual love story. You read books - yes, heterosexual love story. You go out, and see heterosexual couples hugging, kissing each other.

All I saw among my family, relatives, friends, neighbours and strangers were heterosexual affairs, marriages and occasional divorces.

All my favourite love stories were straight ones because I didn't know of other type of love stories. This was the only type of life I was "propagated" towards.

And suddenly, as a child under such intense “propaganda”... Boom... I realised that I ‘became’ gay. A miracle happened. A little child transformed into a gay guy. It was not even Christmas time.

Basically, as long as “heterosexual propaganda” is out and proud and in full force, gay rights activists can relax, with no need to resort to ‘devilish’ plans of turning population (children) gay. I am a living proof of such transformation.

So here we are, ladies and gentlemen, the very real target you should be focusing your efforts on. Ban "heterosexual propaganda". Prevent your child turning into a gay man or woman.

P.S. This post is devoted to LGBT activists & allies in Russia who "propagate homosexuality" = fight against totalitarian rules & fascism and for human rights in Russia.

In solidarity with Russia’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people,

Mika
***
For background of disturbing developments in Russia that inspired my post, have a look at selected links below (in English and Russian):

(source)

(source)

Russia's gays under attack as MPs back fines for 'gay promotion'

Amnesty urges Russia to halt homophobic bill

BBC: В Петербурге вводят штраф за пропаганду гомосексуализма

The New Yorker: WHAT’S RUSSIAN FOR “HOMOSEXUAL PROPAGANDA”?

X-rated lollipop + more ;)

I never thought that the very definition of lollipop could be so X-rated. It reads like a porn.

Wikipedia: A lollipop, pop, lolly, sucker, or sticky-pop is a type of confectionery consisting mainly of hardened, flavored sucrose with corn syrup mounted on a stick and intended for sucking or licking.

The only reason I looked up for it is because I came across this pretty X-rated version of lollipop today while browsing through Soho stores in London (picture, above).

There was another treat waiting outside the store too - naked model, that is ;)

‘No gay rights movement’, admits co-founder of Azeri LGBT website

Have to be honest, when this new Azeri gay site - gay.az - was announced, conveniently coinciding with the victory of Azerbaijan at Eurovision and calls for its boycott by LGBT activists due to widespread homophobia and extremely poor human rights record, I was not convinced.

There has been some, perhaps over-optimistic, comments that the prospect of Eurovision in Baku would help local activists to put the spotlight on human rights record, including gay rights, and use the opportunity for benefits of rights movement. Unfortunately, while some attempts has been made here and there, including on Facebook, this doesn’t seem to make any real impact.

The very admission by Azeri gay activist and co-founder of gay.az website in an interview with LGBT Asylum News (reposted below) that “we do not put any aims in the struggle for our rights on the government level” says it all.

***
via LGBT Asylum News

By Paul Canning

Interview with Ruslan Balukhin, co-founder gay.az, a website for LGBT people in Azerbaijan:

Q: What is the purpose of your website?

A: This informative-entertainment resource is for LGBT community of the capital, Baku.

After news about the site appeared on the local news outlets, I started to receive SMS messages from supporters but also from people with negative views about this site. I often receive e-mails and calls with threats. Channel One and Euronews also sent me message and asked to give interviews.

Then I received similar message from Euronews where BBC and CNN were mentioned. I think, this interest is associated with the victory on Eurovision 2011 and with the calls from LGBT communities worldwide to boycott the show in Baku in 2012.

As far as I can remember, an organization, official representatives of LGBT community in Azerbaijan, exists from 2006 – 2007 [this was 'Azeri Gay Community']. During its existence it has done nothing to solve problems of sexual minorities. What to talk about, if even the site lgbt.az, which is the site of the organization, doesn't work anymore.

Q: What methods do you use in the struggle for your rights?

A: We do not yet have any defined methods. Today, our main goal is to offer psychological help to sexual minorities, and we also try to establish communication. Our site is not associated with politics and therefore we do not put any aims in the struggle for our rights on the government level.

Q: Although homosexuality is legal in Azerbaijan, I understand that it is not tolerated?

A: It's very serious problem, because there may be many backgrounds of negative attitude and aggression: conservatism, religion, education and people's views. But the main reason of different people not being accepted in our society is ignorance.

People do not know about biological and genetic causes of homosexuality. It is not easy to replace negative attitude with tolerance. In the first place, educational work must be done, it is necessary to tell people who LGBT people are and why they are different.

Q: How do gay couples survive, is everyone closeted?

A: If you mean living together, there are many homosexual couples in Azerbaijan. Of course, most of them keep their relations hidden from others, but it is not hidden from sexual minorities.

In most of our families, the attitude towards gays is that they shouldn't be in their families.

Sooner or late, families accept it. Sometimes much time is needed for the family of a transsexual to understand that nothing has changed with the person after they discovered a hidden part of his biography.

Q: What do you think about the future of the LGBT gay movement in Azerbaijan? Will change happen?

A: I'm sure that there will be equality among people, independent of their sexual orientation. It's hard to tell, how much time will be needed for it – tens or hundreds of years, but that depends on us.

Some Azerbaijani journalists call homosexuality “disgusting”, reports on these are left without reply. Gays encounter insults in everyday life – in universities, streets. Struggle against discrimination should be accompanied with educational work. We would like to have discussions about homosexuality in an adequate, delicate and informed way in universities and schools and mass media on the required level.

French rugby player of Georgian origin Dimitri Yachvili naked in Dieux du Stade

I have posted about hot Argentinian Armenian rugby player Juan Martin Berberian in Dieux du Stade 2009 famous annual calendar of naked rugby players.

Re-reading that post couple of days ago reminded me that I forgot to post about French rugby player of Georgian origin Dimitri Yachvili who appeared in one of earlier editions of Dieux du Stade.

(Wikipedia) Dimitri Yachvili (born 19 September 1980 in Brive-la-Gaillarde, Corrèze) is a French rugby union footballer who currently plays scrum-half for Biarritz and France.

Of Georgian descent, his father Michel was a French international before him. His paternal grandfather was a Georgian POW during the WWII in France who escaped and subsequently participated in the French resistance in the province of Limousin. Dimitri's brother Grégoire chose to play for the Georgian national team.

Enjoy! ;))

Oscar Meteor combats homophobia with a gay kiss music video - Water Under The Bridge

"The video started as a piece against homophobia; displaying the very images that homophobes do not want to see : an everyday gay couple kissing. It got its rhythm through association with the Oscar Meteor project, a collective endeavour based in Paris. This particular track was remixed by The Bangers, comprised of David Maltese and Mederic Nebinger, who collaborated with Daft Punk on their first release Homework. Video direction by JC Polien".

Thanks to Tetu for the link.
***
Oscar Meteor

Oscar Meteor is a collective project by a team of artists, musicians, composers, DJs, video producers and performance artists.

An innovative music act which fuses rock and electronic influences, and tackles important issues such as racism, the environment or homophobia through its songs and videos. Regular contributors to the project include The Bangers, comprised of David Maltese and Funky Derrick, known for his work with Daft Punk, and David Richards who produced many albums for Queen and David Bowie.

Together they bring our hero Oscar Meteor to life; a character with mysterious origins, a dandy both elegant and scarred, fragile and lucid. Oscar is an observer of our society's peculiarities. He displays them and sings about them, while letting us decide whether we wish to change.

James Franco's naked butt - fashion magazine cover

My friends know that I am in love with James Franco. Ever exciting, multi-talented, sexy, never boring... Perhaps, the most versatile actor (& more), as of today. For me, at least.

And now... his naked butt made it into LA fashion magazine Flaunt cover.

Enjoy! ;)

I like the way gay.net put it:

Franco’s latest uncharted turn is both shocking and not-so-shocking, considering the era we live in. The shocking part is that a recent Oscar-nominee would agree to have a close up photo of his naked bum grace the cover of Flaunt, the Los Angeles-based fashion magazine. That’s right kids; you can go out and purchase a close to life-size photo of Franco’s sweet cheeks, ready for framing or sleeping with under your pillow. The not-so-shocking part is that we live in a world where we’ve seen paparazzi photos of Britney and Lindsay’s naughty bits and sex tapes of Kim Kardarshian, Paris Hilton, Eric Dane and more. At this point in time, a 2-D picture of an actor's butt seems almost…well, family friendly.

You may read Flaunt magazine's feature story here.

James Franco’s ass stares at me from my desktop. it almost farts in my face. It feels like it wants to. Like it’s wanted to for weeks. But alas, this two-dimensional ass can’t blast any audible sass. It’s simply a photo, intended for our art cover—its gassy desires aren’t relevant. Of relevance is: how did we get here? How did Flaunt Magazine find itself a participant, throughout kept at an usual arm’s length, in the multiplicitous James Franco off-the-backlot artistry—what some amidst the fray might call an egoistic cluster-fuck, but what we’ll call a modern portrait of an ambitious man of means—onto not one, but two covers? [...]

*pictures - via Flaunt magazine

Internews Georgia - Minorities in Georgian Press (quarterly report): homophobia and Armenophobia side-by-side (part 2)

Read also: Coverage of sexual orientation/gender issues in Georgia media: homophobia and Armenophobia side-by-side (part 1)

*via Media.ge

In framework of the Heinrich Boll Foundation South Caucasus Regional Office Project – Addressing Hate Speech in Georgia: A Litmus Test for Human Rights and Social Tolerance, Internews Georgia is conducting a monitoring of reporting on and usage of the hate speech against ethnic, religious and sexual minorities in Georgian press.

On October 25 Internews Georgia published the first quarterly report of the monitoring. This report represents the results of quantitative and qualitative researches conducted during May-July 2011.

8 national and 3 regional publications have been chosen for the monitoring: Resonance, Alia and Kviris Kronika, Akhali Taoba, Versia, Kviris Palitra, Asaval-Dasavali, 24 Saati, and Weekend, Prime-Time, Batumelebi (Batumi), Samkhretis Karibche (Akhaltsike and Akhali Gazeti (Kutaisi).

During monitoring period Asaval-Dasavali, Resonansi and Akhali Taoba dedicated the largest space to coverage of ethnic, religious and sexual minorities.

According to the report newspapers Asaval-Dasavali, Versia and Alia Holding (newspapers Alia and Kviris Kronika) often violate standards of journalistic ethics by publishing xenophobic and homophobic statements.

Additionally, an important trend has been outlined that excluding few newspapers there are several media outlets that provide society with balanced materials based on ethical standards. Newspapers like 24 Saati, Resonance, Batumelebi, Akhali Taoba, Kviris Palitra, Prime-Time and Samkhretis Karibche are paying less attention to minority issues, however in case of coverage articles are always balanced and with no statements containing hate speech. Along with that, according to the report, monitoring revealed that there is a lack of analytical articles in the Georgian printed media regarding sexual, religious and ethnic minorities.

The monitoring also demonstrated that among ethnic minorities, the coverage was mainly focused on Armenians and the tone was often negative. Regarding issues related to sexual orientation/gender identity, incorrect use of terms by both journalists and respondents and lack of awareness about the issue was noteworthy. In comparison with ethnic and sexual minorities, religious minorities attract less attention from the Georgian media, although Jehovah's witnesses is the minority group in relation of which hate speech is most frequently used.

The results of the monitoring clearly demonstrate that homophobic attitudes towards minorities are often manifested. “This indicates that the problem of tolerance and acceptance of differences is still an acute problem in Georgia,” – is said in Internews Georgia’s quarterly report.

You can download the monitoring quarterly results from Media.ge website.

(thanks to @kpearce for the link)

Coverage of sexual orientation/gender issues in Georgia media: homophobia and Armenophobia side-by-side (part 1)

Read also: Internews Georgia - Minorities in Georgian Press (quarterly report): homophobia and Armenophobia side-by-side (part 2)

*via Media.ge

Media Development Foundation publishes new results of monitoring conducted under Media Monitoring - for Accountable and Professional Media project (the project is funded by Open Society Georgia Foundation). Under the project Expert Eka Aghdgomelashvili conducted monitoring of coverage of sexual orientation/gender issues in Georgian media from May 1, 2011 till June 1, 2011. The monitoring results indicate that homophobic expressions and insulting epithets are actively used in political discourse.

The following media outlets were selected for the monitoring:

Newspapers:
Resonance - (public-political newspaper. Published five times a week);
24 Saati - (daily public-political newspaper);
Alia - (public-political newspaper. Published twice a week);
Kronika - (weekly public-political newspaper);
Asaval-Dasavali (weekly public-political newspaper);
Kviris Palitra - (weekly public-political newspaper).

Magazines:
Tabula (published once a week, it has its own website);
Tbiliselebi (published once a week, it has its own website).
The blogs published on the newspapers' and magazines' websites were also taken into account. The monitoring results also include 1 radio story aired by Radio Liberty and 1 article published by Netgazeti (online news source), which were dedicated to International Day against Homophobia - May 17.

In Total 36 articles and news stories (20 newspaper articles, 11 magazine articles) as well as 1 online news source and 1 radio interview have been analyzed.

The total number of articles connected with the research topic was 38. The negative attitudes expressed in the articles are much more (24) than positive attitudes (5) and neutral attitudes (9).

This state of affairs is significantly impacted by the fact that homophobic expressions and insulting epithets are actively used in political discourse.

During the monitoring period it was discovered that:

The biggest number of articles concerning the above-mentioned topics was published by Tbiliselebi magazine as it pays a lot of attention to the above-mentioned topics. 91% of researched materials published by Tbiliselebi magazine concerned foreign showbiz stars belonging to LGBT group. When discussing these stars the journalists usually point out their sexual orientation whether or not this is required by the context of the article.

Some words that are used for denoting sexual orientation/gender identity in media (like "gay", "lesbian", "bisexual", "transsexual", "homosexual", "LGBT", "sexual orientation") do not have negative connotations per se, but sometimes they are still used in a negative context.

Tbiliselebi magazine also uses terms like gay, lesbian, bisexual in a neutral context; however, that magazine frequently uses the following word expression: "nontraditional sexual orientation", which in itself is nonsense - sexual orientation cannot be either "traditional" or "nontraditional".

Insulting words (like "faggot", "sodomite", "queer" etc.) are most often used in Kronika (13), Alia (11) and Asaval-Dasavali newspapers. As a rule, social phobias become stronger during political, economic or social crises when "a visible enemy image" is needed. Kronika, Alia and Asaval-Dasavali newspapers are traditional leaders as far as intensity of negative expressions and insulting context of expressing LGBT identity are concerned (taking into consideration the results of previous surveys). These newspapers are generally known for the frequent use of hate speech not only against sexual but other minorities as well.

Labeling political opponents as homosexuals, accusing them of spreading homosexual propaganda etc. are used for enhancing the effect of building an "alien" image of the government and on the other hand these methods are used for generalizing the dangers coming from the "alien", which threaten the whole country.

The articles studied and analyzed during the monitoring process are equally full of Armenophobia and homophobia. This symbiosis was caused by the xenophobic opinions expressed by Robert Sturua, which were followed by heated debates in media and social networks.

Term "liberast" (a mix of two words: "liberal" and "pederast") is one more example of introduction of homophobia in public political discourse.

Journalists often misuse and mix terms, which denote gender identity, sexual orientation and sexual behavior.

Detailed results of the monitoring can be viewed in the full version of the monitoring results.