Recap | August 2023
Pink’s semi-annual planning took place in August
From August 7 to 10, 2023, Pink’s semi-annual planning took place. Employees of Pink’s Yerevan and regional offices participated in the planning.
During the planning, current issues related to the organization’s activities were discussed by Pink’s staff. Pink’s staff specifically referred to all the works and activities of the organization that were carried out up to June, after which the program activities to be carried out until the end of the year were planned.
During the semi-annual planning, the need to continue social and cultural events aimed at developing the potential of the LGBT community, the international meetings expected until the end of the year and the involvement of the organization’s employees in them were discussed. The situational risks and opportunities and further actions aimed at developing the employees’ capabilities were conferred.
Follow us on social media to learn about the organization’s further activities and events.
Summarizing the “Take up Space” exchange program in Germany
From August 13 to 23, 2023, the “Take up Space” feminist exchange program took place in Heidelberg, Germany, where five young people from Armenia participated.
The exchange program was dedicated to the development and intersectionality of queer-feminist art in different countries. It aimed to support queer people by giving them a space to express themselves, as queer people are even more vulnerable in a patriarchal system. The primary purpose of providing this space was to bring queer people together in a safe place where they would not be criticized or subjected to harassment or physical or psychological pressure.
Within the program’s framework, the participants had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge about the empowerment of the feminist and LGBT movement through digital technologies and courses. There was also an exhibition on feminism, to which various cooperating organizations or activists interested in feminism could join via online platforms. The purpose of the exhibition was to make art accessible to all people, regardless of their social status or career.
Pink continues to implement exchange programs. Follow our social media platforms for updates on upcoming projects.
A trans woman was killed and her apartment was set on fire in Yerevan
On August 20, 2023, a 28-year-old transgender woman was brutally killed in Yerevan and her apartment was set on fire. She had previously told her friends she was being stalked. According to the coroner’s conclusion, she was stabbed, which the perpetrator tried to hide by setting the apartment on fire. The details of the incident once again raise concerns about the safety and well-being of transgender people in Armenia. We witness hate crimes on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity every year, non-proper investigation of which leads to more severe cases such as violating the right to life.
On August 21, on the Armenian-Georgian border, the police found and arrested the 26-year-old man suspected of murdering the trans woman.
After this brutal case of murder, a big wave of hate speech spread on social networks. Most people exonerate the criminal and think this is how trans people should be treated. Apart from the fact that such crimes occur based on discrimination, society also spreads hate speech against trans people, which further worsens the prejudice against trans people in the country and puts their lives at risk.
This case again highlights the importance of effective detection and addressing hate crimes. It is essential that society accepts the diversity of all citizens and protects the rights of all individuals, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
The Rainbow Forum is coming up
Pink is pleased to announce that this year, the 8th Rainbow Forum will be held, which will take place in Yerevan from September 29 to October 1.
The event’s purpose is to discuss the issues of LGBT+ people and take steps to develop the LGBT+ movement. The theme of this year’s forum is “Looking Inward.” During the conference, we will discuss the public visibility of the LGBT+ movement, and we will look inward to highlight the internal problems and try to find solutions for the empowerment and stability of the movement. The forum will also address important and urgent issues for LGBT+ people, such as domestic violence, sexual harassment, gender-based discrimination, etc. At the forum, various informative and entertainment events will take place.
To participate, please complete the application form by September 10, 2023. If you have questions, call the office at 060-377277 or write to the email address [email protected].
