In a very hostile environment, PINK Armenia and other groups, including the “New Generation” Humanitarian NGO, marked May 17 with 15 videos in dedication to freedom of expression. Activists also sent letters to the President of Armenia, the President of National Assembly, the Ombudsman and Minister of Justice, as well as the Prime Minister, to urge them to take necessary actions to end systematic violence against LGBT people.

Together with the Independent Journalists Network (epress.am) and the Helsinki Association for Human Rights, PINK Armenia prepared a specific set of videos ahead of the events.

Armenia shouts: “I am against homophobia”!

ʺI am against homophobiaʺ video series presents activists, artists and opinion leaders and society members who talk about homophobia/transphobia and its negative effects on Armenian society.

The video series which was created for the promotion of debate about LGBTI Freedom of Expression consists of 15 videos. The videos are mainly in Armenian, with one video in Russian.

To see all videos, click here.

And you can watch one of the videos directly here:

Letter writing campaign

PINK Armenia also sent letters to the President of Armenia, President of National Assembly, Ombudsman and Minister of Justice and Prime Minister to urge them to take necessary actions to end systematic violence against LGBT people. Here is an English copy of the letter send to officials.

“In the Republic of Armenia, RA Constitutional Order must be approved for the sake of freedom of our society and nation, dignity and multicultural development.”

More info on the campaign can be found here.

Organisers from the group Pink Armenia advised:

‘RainbowFlash events are organized every year. The idea of the event is to release balloons with the six colors of the rainbow by which confirming one’s eagerness to fight against homophobia and transphobia. Every willing person participates regardless their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or other characteristics.

On May 17 at 6pm people gathered in Yerevan near Tumanyan park for participating in RainbowFlash 2013. Few seconds, and the pleasure began: lots of colorful balloons in the sky that have started their peaceful mission.’

Since 2010 “Public Information and Need of Knowledge” NGO together with partners have been organising ‘rainbowflash’ balloon releases to mark International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia.

For more information

• Pink Armenia http://www.pinkarmenia.org/en/2013/05/rainbowflash2013/.

Among those activities was the provision of trainings to local NGO representatives and the media on sexuality, LGBT rights protection and cooperation and the problems facing LGBT people in Armenia, as well as the stereotypes, perceptions and problems.

Activists also convened a conference entitled “LGBT Rights in Armenia: Silenced Reality” which focused on public opinion towards LGBT people in Yerevan, Gyumri and Vanadzor and LGBT rights in Armenia.

As part of public awareness-raising activities, activists distributed brochures about homophobia and pens bearing the message “I am not homophobe” in the central part of Yerevan.

There was also a “Week of Diversity”, in which Armenia’s social, cultural, sexual and professional diversity was put into the spotlight and which featured an exhibition of artworks celebrating diversity.