History in making: Rainbow flag flying above UK Government Office to mark Gay Pride Day

This is why (along with other reasons) I made London my new home. This is why, despite all the problems and remaining challenges, UK is the best place in Europe to be gay. [And unfortunately, according to the same survey by ILGA-Europe, Armenia trailing in the bottom, among the worst...]

*picture via @libdemvoice: A proud moment - the Rainbow flag flying above the Deputy Prime Minister's office [Cr: Verity Harding]

PinkNews: In a first for central Government, the Cabinet Office is flying a rainbow flag to mark World Pride being held this weekend in London. The iconic flag has been flown on the personal request of Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. Officials say that Mr Clegg thought it ‘was about time for Whitehall to bring itself up to date’ by flying the flag in solidarity with the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered) community. Liberal Democrat Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “There has to be a first time for everything – flying this iconic flag in the heart of Whitehall is a small but important emblem that the Government and this country are behind equal rights. “I’m absolutely delighted that, with a little bit of persuasion and determination, we’ve been able to fly the rainbow flag for this weekend’s festivities. I hope this is the start of a new era of pride across the historic Whitehall village.”

Pink Paper: It can be seen flying above the Cabinet Office, adjacent to Downing Street: the centre of government dealings. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who in an interview this week reiterated his support of gay marriage.

AP: Nick Clegg has hailed the start of a "new era of pride" as the rainbow flag was raised in Whitehall for the first time. The Deputy Prime Minister said flying the flag, a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride, to coincide with London's gay pride event this weekend was a "small but important emblem". It comes after Mr Clegg called on Thursday for churches and other religious premises to be allowed to host gay weddings.

And finally, UK PM's message on World Pride: “The UK has been judged to be the best country in Europe in which to live if you’re gay so it is great that World Pride is being celebrated here in London – especially during this Diamond Jubilee and Olympic year. “I’m very pleased that the Mayor of London has enabled the march and events in Trafalgar Square to go ahead and I want to thank all the volunteers who will be stewarding the event and contributing to it. “It is 40 years since people first marched in London calling for equal rights. Since then we’ve come a very long way and progress is still being made. We have just finished consulting on how to introduce same sex marriage and we are working with countries across the globe to bring about greater equality. “I hope you all have a happy Pride and remember all those who have, and those who are still fighting for, greater rights and protection for the LGBT community.”

For pictures of the day: Day in pictures - 7 July World Pride 2012, London

Day in pictures - 7 July World Pride 2012, London

 *In/around World Pride 2012 rally at Trafalgar sq, London

 *Even Ann Summers sex shop turned rainbow for the occasion, Soho, London

 *Grindr Pride at Village, Soho, London

 *Soho was totally packed; view of Old Compton street

 *Sexy 'English lads', Soho, London

 *Escape and Madame JoJo's, well known gay venues in Soho, London

 *Purse-shoes... this was fun :)) Soho, London

 *'Strip show' from the balcony of Old Comptons, Soho, London

*Soho, London

"I sign this petition in memory of my great-grandfather" - To the Government of Armenia: Honor the Constitutional Right of Each Citizen [including LGBT]

As I posted earlier, the Armenian Gay and Lesbian Association of New York has sponsored historic petition co-signed by 20+ leading Armenian cultural figures who have unified their voices to support human rights in Armenia. This is the first time such a petition has been created in support of LGBT human rights in Armenia.

Chairman of Golden Apricot International Film Festival, one of my favourite film-makers, prominent Canadian Armenian director Atom Egoyan is among those who co-signed the petition.

It has since been supported by more than 300 (at the time of writing this post) Armenian and foreign citizens, including well known activists, cultural, art figures.

Comments are being posted under the petition by people who signed it.

Here is a very touching one by Christine Allen:

My great-grandfather, Shukrey Sanjiyan, was brutally attacked during a pogrom in Tarsus on November 15, 1895. He managed to survive and made his way to the U.S. via France in 1897. The rest of his family was slaughtered during the genocide. It is in his memory that I, his lesbian great-granddaughter, sign this petition. My wife and I have been together for over 26 years and our youngest daughter, Kalie Sanjiyan, carries his name. I work for equal rights for all people in America, and I support equal rights for all people in the homeland of my heart, Armenia.

[For more comments - follow this link to the petition.]

Please sign and share the petition with all your friends, family and allies. [The Armenian translation has now been posted with English original]

Anatomy of violence, or Armenia MP (president of Football Federation) Ruben Hayrapetyan slaughterhouse

Military doctor severely beaten by bodyguards of Armenia MP, president of Football Federation Ruben Hayrapetyan (aka 'Nemets Rubo') has died on 29 June. [For background to this story, read: Unbearable cruelty of being of Armenia tycoon - turned MP - turned Football Federation president & his entourage]



Video above details some of the 'heroic' pages from the history of violence of disgraced Armenia MP, president of Football Federation, oligarch Ruben Hayrapetyan, nicknamed 'Nemets Rubo'.

Posting this video, Hetq Online reminds how 'Nemets Rubo' threatened and/or enacted violence towards journalists, drug addicts, and (more recently) gays. The author righty points out that after all the violent rhetoric and actions, there should be no surprise that we witnessed yet another violence, this time with more tragic consequences. [Ռուբեն Հայրապետյանը միշտ զգուշացրել է (վիդեո)]

To remind, following recent firebombing of gay friendly bar DIY in Yerevan, ‘Nemets Rubo‘ said he “condemns terrorism” but “in favour of punishing gays and ready to do it myself”. “We should think of another way of punishing to eradicate them from our society.”

Other high profile MPs from ruling Republican party who supported firebombers and encouraged anti-gay violence include vice-speaker of the Armenian parliament, spokesman of the ruling Republican party Eduard Sharmazanov, and MP, (now) secretary of Republican party parliamentary group Hovhannes Sahakyan. 
[I recommend reading Հոդված ատելության մասին by Sergey Danielyan too]

Last night, there was a candlelight vigil in Yerevan in memory of beating victim Vahe Avetyan. People gathered in front of the restaurant where the violence took place [Harsnaqar restaurant belongs to 'Nemets Rubo'] Many held 'I am Vahe Avetyan' posters condemning violence, calling for boycott of oligarch MP businesses and his resignation as MP and president of Football Federation.

Among protesters rightly condemning violence, I noticed two well known personalities who have their share of moral responsibility for this atmosphere of hatred and violence.

Armenian MP from the ARF Dashnaktsutyun party Armen Rostomyan said nothing when his colleagues from the ARF party, and in particular Artsvik Minasyan, Hrayr Karapetyan and Artur Aghabekyan supported firebombers and at least in case of Artsvik Minasyan (+ here) and Artur Aghabekyan openly encouraged anti-gay violence.

Larisa Alaverdyan, former MP and ex-Ombudsman, effectively sided with homophobes during TV programme discussing attacks towards gay friendly bar and Diversity march.




Below are two pictures from the candlelight vigil protest action via CivilNet and PanArmenian FB page.

*picture via CivilNet/Seda Grigoryan

*"Slaughterhouse" written on the wall of Harsnaqar restaurant, picture via PanArmenian/Hrant Khachatryan [Հանցաքար" և "Սպանդանոց" գրվեցին ռեստորանի պատերին]

PACE delegates slam Armenian MPs who condoned attack on gay friendly bar DIY in capital Yerevan (statement)

*source: PACE (Parliamentary Assembly Council of Europe)

Homophobic violence openly condoned by certain Armenian members of Parliament 

27 June 2012  
Written declaration 527 

On May 8 an LGBT friendly bar in Yerevan was firebombed. Two of the arsonists have been arrested.

Certain Armenian MPs have openly condoned the arson attack. One is reported to have stated that the attack was completely “right and justified”, and to have claimed that those who support the rights of LGBT Armenians "are perverting our society, are defaming the Armenian national identity." Two others paid the bail of one of the arsonists. One of these MPs is reported to have asserted that the arsonists "acted in accordance with our society's values and national ideology", although adding that "it was wrong to cause material damage".

We call upon the Armenian authorities to publicly repudiate such statements, to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice and to put in place measures to protect LGBT people from violence and discrimination and to counteract homophobic and transphobic attitudes in society, in accordance with the Committee of Ministers Recommendation on measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Signed:

GUNNARSSON Jonas Sweden SOC

ACKETOFT Tina Sweden ALDE

ALONSO José Antonio Spain SOC

ANDERSON Donald United Kingdom SOC

AXELSSON Lennart Sweden SOC

CONNARTY Michael United Kingdom SOC

ČRNAK MEGLIČ Andreja Slovenia SOC

DAVIES Geraint United Kingdom SOC

DAVIES Don Canada

DOBBIN Jim United Kingdom SOC

FISCHEROVÁ Jana Czech Republic EDG

GARDETTO Jean-Charles Monaco EPP/CD

HÄGG Carina Sweden SOC

HÄRSTEDT Kent Sweden SOC

HAUGLI Håkon Norway SOC

JÁUREGUI Ramón Spain SOC

JENSEN Mogens Denmark SOC

LUNDGREN Kerstin Sweden ALDE

MEALE Alan United Kingdom SOC

MOGHERINI REBESANI Federica Italy SOC

MULIĆ Melita Croatia SOC

OHLSSON Carina Sweden SOC

PERNASKA Lajla Albania EPP/CD

RECORDON Luc Switzerland SOC

SHERIDAN Jim United Kingdom SOC

SYDOW Björn, von Sweden SOC

VILLUMSEN Nikolaj Denmark UEL

VUČKOVIĆ Nataša Serbia SOC

WURM Gisela Austria SOC

Total = 28

*EPP/CD: Group of the European People's Party SOC: Socialist Group ALDE: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe EDG: European Democrat Group UEL: Group of the Unified European Left NR: Representatives not belonging to a Political Group

Relevant background reading: 

HATE CRIME: DIY bar in Armenia capital Yerevan under neo-nazi arson attack

MPs of ARF Dashnaktsutyun party bail out neo-nazi attacker of DIY bar. Dashnak MP Artsvin Minasyan supports arson attack, effectively encouraging terrorism in Armenia

ARF Dashnaktsutyun must "send a strong message", or else is tarnished with this "heinous act" (re neo-nazi attack on DIY and Dashnak MP in Armenia supporting hate crime)

Disgraced Armenia MP from ARF Dashnaktsutyun Artsvik Minasyan calls for fight against gays as “threat to national security”

Terrorists as ‘national heroes’? Armenia ruling Republican party spokesman and MP explicitly support firebombers of DIY bar in capital Yerevan and encourage anti-gay attacks

ARF Central Committee in US condemns hate crime in Armenia as more local Dashnak MPs endorse firebombers and encourage anti-gay violence

Armenia Football Federation president Ruben Hayrapetyan ‘against terrorism’ but ‘ready to punish gays and eradicate from society’

"How tolerant are citizens of Armenia?" - animation by CivilNetTV

CivilNetTV presents this animation based on compilation of survey data suggesting pretty widespread lack of tolerance in Armenia. On so many levels. An example: 94% of Armenians would not want gay neighbour. [sources of the survey data: the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Caucasus Research Resource Centre]

Historic Petition: Armenians Support LGBT Rights in Armenia

The Armenian Gay and Lesbian Association of New York has sponsored the following historic petition that is co-signed by 20+ leading Armenian cultural figures who have unified their voices to support human rights in Armenia. This is the first time such a petition has been created in support of LGBT human rights in Armenia.

Please sign and share the petition with all your friends, family and allies.

[I am so glad to see one of my favourite film-makers, prominent Canadian Armenian director Atom Egoyan signature under the petition.]

* * *

For Immediate Release

June 26, 2012

The Government of Armenia: Honor the Constitutional Right of Each Citizen 

We, the undersigned, write to support democratic and human rights for all in Armenia. We are disturbed by the May 8 firebombing of the gay-friendly bar DIY and the subsequent vandalism of the space. Attacks on the May 21st Cultural Diversity march in Yerevan by a few hundred “neo-fascists,” some wearing swastikas, lead us to fear that the democratic nature of Armenian society is threatened. Though police have done an admirable job of maintaining order over the course of the attacks, the government has not responded directly to the incidents, nor produced a clear message of tolerance for diversity. Some members of the Armenian government have even made statements condoning these attacks, going so far as to claim that such violence against LGBT Armenians is a means of protecting “the national ideology.”

We stand with the United Nations, the United States Embassy, Amnesty International, the Armenian Ombudsman, the European Union and the Council of Europe, in calling for the Armenian government to act in alignment with global human rights values. We call on President Serzh Sargsyan, his administration, members of Parliament, and all local governing leaders to honor the constitutional right of each citizen of the Armenian Republic to be treated with dignity and respect.

Initial signatories include: Nancy Agabian, Shushan Avagyan, Arlene Avakian, Peter Balakian, Anna Barseghian, Eve Beglarian, Eric Bogosian, Chris Bohjalian, Diana Der Hovanessian, Gregory Djanikian, Atom Egoyan, Aris Janigian, TJ Jourian, Nina Katchadourian, David Kherdian, Nancy Kricorian, Micheline Aharonian Marcom, Marc Nichanian, Meline Toumani, Hrag Vartanian

The text of the petition may be found here.

Armenians at the NYC Gay Pride Parade !!

Armenian Gay & Lesbian Association of New York - AGLA NY, at NYC Gay Pride Parade today.

Have a happy Pride Day, guys!!

*picture via @veken

Armenia: A Slow Slide Into Fascism? (Huffington Post)

Very powerful post by Christopher Atamian on Huffington Post. A must read that should act as an alarm bell.

"Now of course is not the time to abandon Armenia. Armenia continues to be a strong ally of the United States. Armenians around the world, in spite of the oligarchs' best efforts to destroy their people's reputation as an educated, hard-working minority, continue to be a symbol of survival and success. But LGBT organizations, the American government and the relatively powerful Armenian diaspora must unite in putting real pressure on the Armenian government to reverse the worrying anti-democratic and fascistic developments that threaten to completely engulf the country. The Armenian government must not only fight corruption, it must publicly oppose attacks on all minorities, particularly LGBT people, and promote an atmosphere of democracy and tolerance in the country. Not to do so is to shame Armenians around the world, not to mention the memory of 1.5 million people who lost their lives during the Armenian Genocide."
***
Huffington Post

Armenia: A Slow Slide Into Fascism?

Christopher Atamian 
Writer, director, producer and translator

Armenians in the far-flung diaspora are justifiably proud that their ancestors survived the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and thrived wherever they went in the world, and that Armenia made a significant contribution in the 20th century battle against fascism, contributing over 500,000 men during WW II to fight Hitler and defeat the Nazis, losing an estimated 100,000 in the process. During the Soviet years which ended in 1991, Armenia was even a haven for Jews as some 10,000 "internal" Jewish immigrants fled Russia, the Ukraine and other Soviet Republics to settle in Yerevan, the country's capital, where they encountered an almost complete absence of anti-semitism and quickly assimilated into the Armenian nation.

But since the collapse of the Soviet Union, a far more unseemly and dangerous type of Armenia has emerged. The country has been overrun by a small circle of anti-democratic Oligarchs who have filled their pockets, essentially stealing the nation's wealth while failing to develop the economy: as a result, half the population has left the country and those that remain live in a state of shameful poverty. Elections have been mostly anti-democratic and rigged. The diaspora sends money, opens institutes and businesses and tries as best it can to counteract the frightening news that continues to emerge from Yerevan.

For all practical purposes, Armenia is a step away from dictatorship. It is the same oligarchs who run both the country's business and political worlds who have apparently supported the most recent attacks on the country's tiny and vulnerable LGBT community. Following a brain drain in the 1990s and 2000s, it seems that the Armenian government is intent on chasing out anyone who can possibly contribute to the country's culture, including its LGBT people. Aided by a growing neo-fascist party and a powerful Armenian Apostolic church that also continues to consider gay people "perverted" and "against the interests of the Armenian nation," anti-LGBT sentiment continues to increase in Armenia.

These attacks intensified on May 7th of this year when Tsomak Oganesova's bar DIY was firebombed at 5 A.M. by two Iranian-Armenians who were arrested but quickly set free by a member of the nationalist ARF Dashnaktsutiun Party (the equivalent of Armenian Zionists). DIY was one of the only bars in Yerevan open to free thinkers and where artists and LGBT people were free to gather and exchange ideas. Naturally, many of its patrons were LGBT people. The ARF and the Armenian government have yet to release official statements condemning this last, cowardly attack. In fact Eduard Sharmazanov, the deputy speaker of parliament, also spoke positively about the alleged attackers in a post on his Facebook page. On the ATV television station's "Half-Open Windows" last week one could, however, watch a nauseating alliance of self-proclaimed fascists and priests denouncing gay people in the most vile and deplorable ways.

Now of course is not the time to abandon Armenia. Armenia continues to be a strong ally of the United States. Armenians around the world, in spite of the oligarchs' best efforts to destroy their people's reputation as an educated, hard-working minority, continue to be a symbol of survival and success. But LGBT organizations, the American government and the relatively powerful Armenian diaspora must unite in putting real pressure on the Armenian government to reverse the worrying anti-democratic and fascistic developments that threaten to completely engulf the country. The Armenian government must not only fight corruption, it must publicly oppose attacks on all minorities, particularly LGBT people, and promote an atmosphere of democracy and tolerance in the country. Not to do so is to shame Armenians around the world, not to mention the memory of 1.5 million people who lost their lives during the Armenian Genocide.

Georgian bloggers against homophobia

...with their version of classic Lily Allen - F*ck You



Well done!!

*via Queer Georgia FB group

Widow of Armenia national hero Monte Melkonian blasts ultra-nationalists for hijacking his name to spread hatred and anti-gay violence

This picture shows one of the ‘activists’ from the ultra-nationalist, neo-nazi crowd who attacked diversity march in Yerevan, few weeks ago. He spotted wearing T-shirt with Monte Melkonian face on it.

In a letter to contemporary writer, journalist Vahan Ishkhanyan, widow of Armenia’s national hero Monte Melkonyan blasts Armenian ultra-nationalists for hijacking Monte’s name to spread hatred and anti-gay violence.

“Poor Monte, what have they made of him”, writes his widow Seta by making it clear in no uncertain terms of Monte’s dislike towards such ultra-nationalists. He was anti-fascist and defender of rights of minorities, including LGBT, claims Monte’s widow.

Truly, Monte would have felt mortified seeing how neo-nazi thugs exploit his name against everything he believed in. Today is the anniversary of his death.

Below I am re-posting extracts (AM) from a MUST READ entry by Vahan Ishkhanyan. Lessons from Seta, widow of Monte, to ultra-nationalists in Armenia.

Ի՞նչ հայրենիք էր ուզում տեսնել Մոնթեն. դաս ուլտրա-նացիոնալիստներին

Seta and Monte

***
Կպատկերացնե՞ր Մոնթե Մելքոնյանը, որ գալու է ժամանակ, երբ իր դիմանկարով շոր հագած  երիտասարդը պայքարելու է իր գաղափարների դեմ ու Երևանի փողոցներում գոռալու է «գոմիկներին Բաքու», «մաքուր հայեր», և որ ուլտրա-նացիոնալիստները իրեն դրոշ են դարձնելու ատելության քարոզի ու միասեռկաններին ճնշելու համար:

Մայսի 22-ին բազմազանության երթի վրա հարձակվող լուսնկարի երիտասարդը, ինչպես երևում է կրում է Մոնթեի դիմանկարը: Տեսաֆիլմերում նա ամենակտիվ արգելափակողներից էր Նկարիչների միության մուտքը, ուր գտնվում էին Բազմազանության ցույցի մասնակիցները:

«Խեղճ Մոնթէ, այս ի՜նչ են դարձրել իրեն,- ԱՄՆ-ից նամակով իր վրդովմունքն է հայտնում Մոնթեի կինը` Սեդա Մելքոնյանը,- Հայաստանի լուրերից գիտէի արդէն DIY ակումբի ամօթալի դէպքի մասին: Նաև կարդացել էի քո Blog-ը այդ առնչութեամբ: Սա ի՞նչ խայտառակութիւն է:

Հայերը մարդկանց իրաւունքները յարգելու փոխարէն իրենց տգիտութեամբ մարդկանց դաստիարակելու են դուրս եկել: Ինձ համար ամէնակարևորը այստեղ մարդ արարածի իրաւունքն է: Մարդը պէտք է ազատ լինի իր սեռային նախընտրութիւնը ընտրելու կամ որոշելու:
***
Իսկ Մոնթէն ոչ թէ միայն հակաֆաշիստ էր և փոքրամասնութիւնների պաշտպան, այլ մարդկային իրաւունքների պաշտպան: Նա երբէք մարդկանց պիտակ չէր կպցնի նրանց սեռային նախընտրութեան հիման վրայ և վատ չէր վերաբերուի նրանց: Նրա յարգած պատմաբաններից մէկը Նշան Սարոյանն էր, ում ես անպայման ուզեցի և յաջողացրեցի ծանօթանալ 1993-ին՝ AIDS-ի պատճառով նրա մահուանից մի քիչ առաջ:

Նշան Սարոյանը Կովկասի և յատկապէս Ատրպէյճանի մասնագէտ էր, որքան յիշում եմ: Ափսոս երիտասարդ մահացաւ: Միասեռական էր և վարակուեց AIDS-ով, երբ դեռ հիւանդութիւնը կարգաւորելու դեղորայք չկար: Ես նրան Պըրքլիում հանդիպեցի 1993-ի աշնան: Շատ շոյուած էի, որ հակառակ տկար լինելուն կարողացաւ գալ՝ սիստեման ձեռքին միացրած: Մի քանի ժամ միասին անցկացրեցինք: Իսկապէս լաւ մարդ էր»:
***
Մոնթեն հայացքները ձևավորվել են ձախ գաղափարներով և նրա մտերիմ ընկերները հենց ձախ արմատական շրջանակներից էին: Իսկ փոքրամասնության, մասնավորապես սեռական փոքրամասնությունների պաշտպանության գաղափարը առաջին անգամ բարձրացրել են հենց ձախերր և այսօր էլ փոքրամասնությունների և մասնավորապես միասեռականների պաշտպանության առաջամարտիկները ամբողջ աշխարհում ձախ, մարքսիստական հոսանքներն են:
***
Մոնթէն բացարձակապէս տանել չէր կարողանում ազգայնամոլութիւնը և ատում էր «վրէժ» բառը: Ճիշդն ասած երբ Վրէժ անունով մարդ էինք հանդիպում, միշտ ծիծաղում էինք ասելով, որ «ի՜նչ մեղք է: Խեղճին անունը Վրէժ է»: Յարգանք ունէր լաւ մարտիկի նկատմամբ, նոյնիսկ եթէ այդ մարտիկը ազերի է: Մարտադաշտում յարգում էր խիզախ տղաներին և կատաղում երբ մարտից դուրս վնասում էին «թշնամուն»: Գոնէ մէկ դէպքում պատժել է մի մարդու՝ գերի ընկած անզէն ազերի զինուորին վնասելու համար: Անշուշտ բացատրել էին, որ այդ մարդու եղբօրորդին զոհուել էր և դրա համար էր նա ծեծել վիրաւոր զինուորին ու Մոնթէն պէտք է ներող լինի: Բայց Մոնթէն չէր զիջել և գոռացել էր «պատւալ տարէք այդ մարդուն» ևայլն, ևայլն: Կարճ՝ մարդկային իրաւունքների հարցում Մոնթէն որևէ խտրութիւն չէր դնում: [...] Սրանց էլի պէտք է յիշեցնել, թէ ո՞վ էր Մոնթէն և ի՞նչ տեսակ հայրենիք էր ուզում տեսնել

*pictures - via Vahan Ishkhanyan blog on Tert.am

FYI Sharmazanov & co: European Commission against Racism and Intolerance re Armenia leading political figures openly condoning homophobic violence

Statement by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance about recent events in Armenia, involving leading political figures openly condoning homophobic violence 

*via European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)

Strasbourg, 7.6.2012 - The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) of the Council of Europe wishes to express concern about recent events in Armenia, involving leading political figures openly condoning homophobic violence.

Setting a club on fire was characterised by a high-ranking State official as a rebellion against homosexuals, which was completely right and justified. And one of the persons arrested by the police in connection with the attack was bailed out by two members of parliament, who appeared to provide support for the alleged perpetrators in, inter alia, declarations made to the press.

ECRI draws attention to the destructive consequences that such statements - and the various manifestations of hatred they have encouraged - are likely to have for the peaceful and tolerant society it has always tried to foster in Armenia and all other Council of Europe member States.

In ECRI’s view, events of this nature create a dangerous sense of impunity which undermines, in a fundamental manner, overall respect for human rights. ECRI, therefore, calls on the Armenian authorities to investigate fully the underlying criminal acts with a view to establishing, inter alia, the motives of the alleged perpetrators. It also calls urgently on all Armenian political parties to distance themselves from such extreme forms of expression, which are clearly incompatible with the values that ECRI has always promoted.

ECRI is a human rights body of the Council of Europe, composed of independent experts, which monitors problems of racism, discrimination on grounds of ethnic origin, colour, citizenship, religion and language, as well as xenophobia, antisemitism and intolerance, prepares reports and issues recommendations to member states. For more information on ECRI: www.coe.int/ecri Press contact: Stefano Valenti, Council of Europe, tel. +33 (0)3 90 21 43 28 ; E-mail stefano.valenti@coe.int

Read also: 

Terrorists as ‘national heroes’? Armenia ruling Republican party spokesman and MP explicitly support firebombers of DIY bar in capital Yerevan and encourage anti-gay attacks

MPs of ARF Dashnaktsutyun party bail out neo-nazi attacker of DIY bar. Dashnak MP Artsvin Minasyan supports arson attack, effectively encouraging terrorism in Armenia

Disgraced Armenia MP from ARF Dashnaktsutyun Artsvik Minasyan calls for fight against gays as “threat to national security”

Human Rights House Network: 'Actions of extremist protestors in Yerevan constitute criminal behaviour and illegal under Armenia Constitution'

"The actions of the extremist protestors in Yerevan constitute criminal behaviour, which is based on discrimination against sexual minorities. This kind of hate speech, which amounted to threats of violence, is illegal under the Armenian Constitution."

*via Human Rights House Network

Violent reactions against peaceful diversity and LGBT demonstrations 

Peaceful demonstrations celebrating the 10th anniversary of World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, and the International Day against Homophobia were met with violence and retaliation.

Friday, 08 June 2012, by HRHF Geneva Office, based on various sources and HRHN partners

The 10th anniversary of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development was marked by tension and violence in Armenia. In Belarus, Georgia, Russia and Ukraine, LGBT rights demonstrations have been met with resistance from authorities and conservative sectors of society. The United Nations 2012 world day of cultural diversity, on 21 May, sought to encourage support for diversity, to foster an intercultural dialogue on inclusion, and to combat isolation and stereotyping.

ARMENIA: DEMONSTRATIONS FOR DIVERSITY ATTACKED

The peaceful march staged in Yerevan on 21 May, organised by Human Rights House Network partners PINK and Women's Resource Centre, to promote and celebrate Armenia’s cultural, ethnic, human and fauna diversity, was met with violence from civilian protestors. The march - which included participants from various social backgrounds; civic activists, refugees living in Armenia, and representatives of NGOs and international organisations - was surrounded by a human chain formed by the civilian protestors, who directed homophobic insults and fascist slogans at the procession.

Prior to the march, misleading information had been spread via social media, claiming that it was in fact a gay parade, provoking the discriminatory actions of the civilian protestors. The extremist protestors attempted to stop the march, threatening violence and intimidating the participants, the homophobic hate speech directed towards the marchers was framed as “patriotic.” Police clashed with the protestors, and managed to stop them from gaining entry to the art exhibition that had been organised for the occasion, however, PINK reports that the situation was not handled well by police, as their presence failed to ensure the safety of the activists.

The actions of the extremist protestors in Yerevan constitute criminal behaviour, which is based on discrimination against sexual minorities. This kind of hate speech, which amounted to threats of violence, is illegal under the Armenian Constitution. 

[Read also: HATE CRIME: DIY bar in Armenia capital Yerevan under neo-nazi arson attack and Neo-nazi attack Diversity march in Armenia capital Yerevan calling it "gay pride"]

GEORGIA: LGBT RIGHTS DEMONSTRATIONS NEED TO ENJOY PROTECTION BY AUTHORITIES 

In Tbilisi, a peaceful demonstration organised in support of LGBT rights on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, on May 17th, was met with opposition from protestors, most of whom were Orthodox Christians or priests. BBC reports that one priest among the civilian protestors called the march “propaganda [for a] wrong way of life.” These protestors called on the police to put a stop to the march, and when the police refused to do so, the protestors took matters into their own hands, and violence erupted. Police stepped in, and arrests where made on both sides.

Human Rights House Tbilisi member, the Human Rights Centre reported that the police action was unsatisfactory in protecting the LGBT activists and their right to freedom of expression; despite contacting the police in advance about possible threats to their safety during the march, activists’ security was still not guaranteed.

Furthermore, Human Rights Centre reports that when making arrests, the police targeted the LGBT activists, rather than the violent protestors. [...]

Kanan Taghiyev to represent Azerbaijan at Mr Gay Europe 2012 (No longer! - post updated)

UPDATE 9 June 2012: As per update I received from the office of Mr Gay Europe, due to "unforeseen circumstances", Azerbaijan has had to pull out of the Mr Gay Europe:

"I would just like to inform you that for unforeseen circumstances Azerbaijan has had to pull out of the Mr. Gay Europe Competition. This saddens us greatly as it would have been great to have a representative from this part of the world do a great job for gay rights. I wish him all the best in all his future endeavours."

I may only speculate that "unforeseen circumstances" mean this guy came under pressure from certain circles in Azerbaijan to pull out of the competition, as soon as news of his participation became public. [I posted the info on my blog 2 days ago as soon as Mr Gay Europe made initial delegates' info public] Sad to know, indeed...
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For the second time in a brief history of this contest, Azerbaijan will be represented at Mr Gay Europe.

Kanan Taghiyev will represent Azerbaijan at Mr Gay Europe 2012 to be held in Italy in August.

Name: Kanan Taghiyev 
Representing Azerbaijan
Age: 21
Height: 173 cm
Zodiac: Leo
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
City: Baku
Occupation: Study social and cultural service and tourism
Hobbies: Relaxing

Neither Armenia nor Georgia participated in the Mr Gay Europe. Initial intentions and announcement on possible Armenia participation from 2008 were scrapped due to lack of sponsorship. In 2007, Azerbaijan was represented by Sadikh Ragimov, 19 yrs old, from Baku. Interestingly, over the last two years Russia's entrants to the Mr Gay Europe were Ramin Ismailov of Azeri origin (in 2010/11) and David Baramija of Georgian origin (in 2009).


*picture - via Mr Gay Europe