tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761857469157760955.post3368947857206736342..comments2023-02-14T19:11:32.849+04:00Comments on Making Connections: A queer woman’s take on living in the Caucasus (or at least Yerevan)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04752958049808789376noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761857469157760955.post-81155760734939989182011-07-23T05:27:33.497+05:002011-07-23T05:27:33.497+05:00Hey Adrineh!
Sorry for posting anonymous, but i d...Hey Adrineh! <br />Sorry for posting anonymous, but i don't have a blog or google account!<br />I'm from germany and visited Armenia over ten years ago. My parents are from armenia, so I often thought to visit it again.. But when I hear about the hate and intolerance against lesbian people most of the people have in armenia, I don't really want to go there. I would never want to justify or even hide myself. What do you think? Would you say that people change there?<br /><br />Thanks for your blog!<br />AlinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761857469157760955.post-17390922892339370502010-09-20T18:55:54.579+05:002010-09-20T18:55:54.579+05:00Hi Indigo, thanks for your comment! Apologies for ...Hi Indigo, thanks for your comment! Apologies for not responding sooner; I haven't been all that caught up on checking older posts for new comments.<br /><br />I wonder, though, why my post left the impression that Yerevan is "bad for me"? It's actually not bad at all! Simply because I write about difficulties here, doesn't mean that going to Toronto or Amsterdam or Paris to live or stay would be better. In fact, I've had similar experiences in Toronto and I don't doubt that you will find homophobic doctors and others in Amsterdam and Paris as well — both tolerant places as you say.<br /><br />I am here not only because my partner is here but also because I choose to be here. Those are two different things. Yes, of course I want to be with my partner, but there are other reasons why I live in Yerevan. Overcoming stereotypes and discrimination is the case for LGBT folks in the world over — but by being here, I formulate friendships and talk openly with people who know me in a common language, and all these things I think are small acts that will elicit change, no matter where you are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761857469157760955.post-59971251291485036162010-08-28T17:54:02.667+05:002010-08-28T17:54:02.667+05:00Hmm...OK, so I don't normally make comments ab...Hmm...OK, so I don't normally make comments about other people's life. It's because I really think I have no right to do that. But, in this case, you made a Blog and as far as I understand you promote a discussion on the life of LGBTs in Armenia, and you give your example.<br />Now, I think what you're doing is interesting and certainly you must have given it a thought or two. So, I assume motive underneath your choice to return to Armenia. Yes, it is difficult to be gay there and possibly dangerous. So, then why stay? I mean you have been to Amsterdam and Paris. These are very tolerant places... comfortable and all. <br />Please don't get me wrong, I dislike peer pressure like the next person and I understand fighting for a cause, but I also think that fighting for a lost cause is as useless as the next best thing. Once again, I know that chasing the impossible dream offers a great kick to most of us but, don't forget, most martyres don't die in their bed!<br />Wrapping up my overly metaphorical comment: if Yerevan is bad for you, why stay? Do you really think it's worthwhile fighting for the LGBT cause there? And if you're not, then, in the words of Tina Turner: What's love got to do with it? - meaning sometimes you can't have it all and choices need to be made. It's just that simple.<br />Btw, I'm Dutch and not homophobic - just interested in socio-cultural change and it's origins.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13879823018898005205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761857469157760955.post-89688904763125359332010-07-13T15:47:21.531+05:002010-07-13T15:47:21.531+05:00Hi Lydia! Thanks for stopping by ;) Yes, I agree, ...Hi Lydia! Thanks for stopping by ;) Yes, I agree, the struggles we face as LGBT folk are complex and layered. A lot of similarities can be found among the issues faced by different LGBT communities, but there are also many differences. Creating a strong support network is important no matter where you are or where you come from.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761857469157760955.post-39647649015495316352010-07-01T20:47:58.780+05:002010-07-01T20:47:58.780+05:00Hi Adrineh - Thanks for painting a picture of what...Hi Adrineh - Thanks for painting a picture of what it's like to be queer in Armenia. The struggles we face being LGBTQ against being invisible is so complex and so layered. If it's not the state, socially, or culturally, than it's usually among family that we are not seen. Negotiating safety and being acknowledged is always tricky. <br /><br />I was recently gay intervention support to a fellow Filipina queer friend. With our status of being invisible, it's that much more important to create solid support networks so we can be seen, and so we know that we do exist when everyone else says we don't, especially our families.Lydiahttp://kabuuan.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761857469157760955.post-69236089139389841042010-06-26T10:06:42.146+05:002010-06-26T10:06:42.146+05:00awww, thank you, Anoush! Yes, change starts with u...awww, thank you, Anoush! Yes, change starts with us: by living our lives the way we want, as Gandhi once famously said, we will be the change we want to see in the world ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4761857469157760955.post-78212632880740331162010-06-25T14:52:35.704+05:002010-06-25T14:52:35.704+05:00I love your post Adrineh!
I agree with you it is v...I love your post Adrineh!<br />I agree with you it is very hard to be different in Armenia. Whether you are an LGBT or a person who wants to live his/her life differently that what the society expects, it's annoying and exhausting how people treat you.<br />I am very proud of you for the choice you've made to come here and live with your partner. We need to change the society by continuing living our lives in Armenia the way we want. There should be more living examples of change.anoushnoreply@blogger.com