"Rise like a Phoenix". LGBTI Activists and Geopolitics in Armenia
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2016-11-18
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en
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LGBTI activists in Armenia have been working for dozens of years to improve the situation for LGBTI people in the country. Misconceptions of LGBTI people, violent attacks, little protection by law and discrimination in almost every sphere of life are part of the daily routine of LGBTI activists. The activists fight for equality and non-discrimination as well as better protection and a better understanding among the society of what LGBTI actually means. Though, these activists are fighting for their rights in a country which has a complicated geopolitical situation, which does not make their work easier as well. Armenia, as a post-Soviet country, knows an interesting history regarding its territory. This history still prevails in people’s minds such as the Armenian Genocide in 1915 and the time between 1922 and 1991 when the Soviets took over control of Armenia. Not only historic events but also the present-day geopolitical situation constructs the national identity of the Armenian society. The conflict with Azerbaijan and the position of Armenia in a shared neighbourhood between Russia and the EU are creating insecurity which also affects the discourse of an Armenian national identity.
This study explores how LGBTI activism is influenced by Armenia’s geopolitical situation. First, it builds on fieldwork in Armenia and multiple interviews with LGBTI activists in Armenia Furthermore, this explorative study builds on reports and studies on LGBTI issues carried out by national and international LGBTI organizations. Finally, it elaborates on existing literature about the geopolitical context of Armenia and sheds another light of the situation of LGBTI activists in this country.
LGBTI activists face major difficulties because of the insecure situation of Armenia. This insecurity is a result of conflicts with neighbouring countries and Armenia’s position as a member of the Eurasian Economic Union and as a partner country of the European Union. This complicated position affects the construction of a national identity which is mainly narrated through media, politics and education. Dominant ideas about a national identity might exclude people who do not fit in these dominant narratives. LGBTI activists who strive to change these dominant narratives, are labeled as foreign threats and as agents from the West. LGBTI activists are somehow stuck in these narratives. Help from the European Union remains limited because it is funding the Armenian government which is violating LGBTI rights at the same time. Furthermore, with Russia as its most important ally in the conflict with Azerbaijan, Armenian officials are more concerned with having good ties with Russia. The balancing of Armenia between Russia and the European Union seems to complicate the work of LGBTI activists even more and a solution to this problem seems rather far away.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen