Marking Police Day in Armenia the way only Unzipped can do

How Armenia police chief gets fooled by yellow journalism

It’s been one day, since I wrote this post (link above, picture - via A1+). Thousands of you have already read it. You know what. I wish the Armenian media was right. I wish I am wrong and there is in fact a ‘Gay Day’ celebration world-wide to coincide with the Police Day in Armenia. Imagine the fun.

You know what’s the main problem of Armenian police? Their image... They are not cool. So, to mark Police Day in Armenia, here are my two presents to you, lovely Armenian police-men and -women out there. First, there should be music. No need for guesses. Of course, it’s Lady Gaga the Coolest.



And here is a real treat. A few months ago, Armenian Comedy posted truly the breaking news that Police Pride Parade Blows Downtown Yerevan. I once X-posted this on Unzipped: Gay Armenia. Today it’s time for Unzipped.

I am sure Mr. Alik Sargsyan and Chorrord Ishkhanutyun would appreciate this. It’s like dream coming true. Enjoy your day, guys ;)
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Police Pride Parade Blows Downtown Yerevan
Armenian Comedy

By Sergey

'We are police and proud of it!'

Mashtots avenue in downtown Yerevan was covered with marching traffic police officers late Friday celebrating their liberties and chanting slogans “give police a chance,” “pull over, now” among others.

Armenian police have been under severe social denial for the past few decades, but as more liberal moods begin to awake in newly independent Armenia, more police officers disband the veil of shyness and publicly exhibit their identity to the nation.

“I’m proud to be who I am and I don’t care what people think. Public opinion does not decide my personal choices,” says one of the marchers, captain Abgar Popikyan walking in vanguard of the parade. “At first I was humbled to reveal my identity to family and friends, but it’s just not right to deny it. Yes, world, I’m a policeman and you have to accept me the way I am!,” claims Popikyan.

Hundreds of traffic and patrol officers wearing shiny police uniform were approaching puzzled drivers and giving out roses and candies. Traffic was paralyzed on Mashtots and Tumanyan intersection for a few hours as officers, singing “We shall overcome” approached their ultimate destination near Northern Avenue where they united around a podium to declare police emancipation.

Chief of Traffic Police Pipinyan made the long-expected announcement at the culmination of the event: “My dear colleagues, my heart shivers as I see you gathered here… several generations of our officers have cherished the dream of this day, when we can proudly raise our head in Yerevan and say I am an Armenian traffic police officer and I am proud of what I am!” Pipinyan remained unashamed of dripping tears and continued: “I believe our kind has suffered the most from unhealthy criticism of cruel society.. I mean.. This is a day of big joy when we can say.. we are free! Fee at last.. free at last.”

Conservatives denounce police pride parade as non-Armenian

The parade was gloomed the next day as some conservative forces stepped in to denounce the emotional movement. One of chief Dashnaks Giro Manoyan slammed the parade in a press conference: “It is not natural for a man to be a police officer. Especially for Armenian men. I am surprised that the mayor’s office sanctioned the march.”

It later was clarified by the mayor that police actually are entitled to freedom of expression under current legislation. Mayor Sevoyan told our reporter Sergey Sargsyan in a private interview: “It’s not my decision and the resentful conservatives should not blame me. We are now a part of the European council and the Europeans insist that we should allow for police officers to express their identity among others.”

Incidentally, head of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Armenia (GLAA) Ashot Pavlikyan called the parade “disgusting” and “shameful” for a country like Armenia. “We are a proud nation and as much as we like European values, we should not go beyond limits… I mean, Police Pride Parade.. this is just disgraceful and unnatural. Why don’t they just indulge in being police at home away from innocent eyes. There are kids watching them in the streets, for Chrissake…” said indignant activist.

Sirusho's Qele, Qele at the London Gay Pride parade

Amnesty International supporters staged 'Eurovision Pride Contest' at the London Gay Pride parade on 5 July 2008, awarding symbolic 'nul points' to countries with poor gay rights record.

"Love Is A Human Right" - that was the main message.

For details, see Unzipped: Gay Armenia

Moscow anti-gay attack fuels western criticism over Russia's record on human rights and democracy

Released leader of GayRussia Nikolay Alexeev announced date for next year's Moscow Gay Pride - Saturday, 31st May 2008 and declared his MP ambitions

I've just learned that all detained gay right activists, including leader of GayRussia Nikolay Alexeev, has been released from custody. According to UKGayNews, within hours of being released by a Moscow Court, Nikolay Alekseev had met with others on the Moscow Gay Pride Committee to discuss the future.

“The Moscow Pride Committee has decided tonight that next Moscow Pride will take place Saturday May 31,” Mr. Alekseev said last night. And that was not all.

“I am planning to run next December in the Douma [Russian parliament] election. This could really change the course of next year’s Pride,” he added.

Alexeev expressed his gratitude to gay rights campaigners, various European governments and politicians that had made statements about the events during Moscow Pride. And in particular, he paid tribute to Germany, who currently hold the European Union presidency.

The incident prompted Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, to announce she would raise the issue of human rights with President Vladimir Putin at next month's G8 summit in Germany. "It has been shown once again today that human rights are systematically abused in Putin's Russia," she said in a statement (Independent).

More info in Unzipped: Gay Armenia

Gay Rights Activists Attacked And Arrested at Moscow Pride

14th anniversary of decriminalisation of homosexuality in Russia

Russian police detained gay protesters calling for the right to hold a Gay Pride parade in central Moscow on Sunday while nationalists shouting "death to homosexuals" punched and kicked the demonstrators (Reuters).

Nationalists and extreme Russian Orthodox believers threw kicks, punches and eggs at the gay rights group, chanting "Moscow is not Sodom" (BBC, Reuters).

According to the news agencies, prominent British gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell was arrested, along with the leader of GayRussia, Nikolay Alexeyev, two West European MPs, and dozens of other gay rights activists in Russia, as violence broke out at a banned protest by gay rights activists.


Picture from AFP: Russian ultra-nationalist about to punch veteran British gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell at a protest in Moscow

Here are extracts from Peter Tatchell's keynote speech at the Moscow Pride conference in the Swissotel, Moscow (PinkNews):

"I bring you a message of comradeship and solidarity from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex [LGBTI] human rights organizations OutRage! in London.Your struggle is our struggle. [...] We are in this fight for freedom together. [...] As long as gay people in Russia are not accepted and respected, then we are all diminished in all parts of the world. We are diminished regardless of whether we are gay or straight. An attack on one is an attack on all.When gay rights are suppressed, it is a loss to the whole democratic and human rights movement. Conversely, when lesbian and gay people win victories, it is a victory for all lovers of freedom and liberty.

[...] When human rights activists pick and choose which freedoms to defend, they undermine and compromise the whole human rights agenda. Human rights are universal and indivisible. [...]"

From the statement released by detained leader of GayRussia Nikolay Alexeev (PinkNews):

"[...] There is no such thing as human rights light in which you can just avoid LGBT issues.There is no place in Europe for people who do not respect the rights of their citizen. European democracies should ban Mayor Luzhkov and his people to enter their countries as they did to officials in Belarus. We ask for your help and support. Probably now, more than ever."

For detailed info, pictures and link to the video, see Unzipped: Gay Armenia