Armenia: Homophobic Politics

Unzipped: Gay Armenia expresses its concern with recent reports in the radical opposition Chorrord Ishkhanutyun newspaper implying that the newly appointed prime minister, Tigran Sargsyan, is homosexual. Although offering no proof that such speculation is true, the paper linked to the former president, Levon Ter-Petrossian, appears to be hoping to exploit entrenched homophobia in society as a political tool. The blog says it shouldn’t matter anyway, and laments such an attitude from whichever side it comes.

Around and immediately after his appointment, I read here and there occasional comments attacking newly appointed PM Tigran Sargsyan with homophobic references for his presumed or perceived homosexuality. I do not care whether our newly appointed PM is gay or not. What I do care is no one has the right to attack others for their sexual orientation, perceived or real. Totally unacceptable tactic, from whatever side it comes. And very, very cheap, aimed at the lowest possible instincts among ‘ordinary’ citizens taking into account widespread homophobia in our society. Ironically, homophobic references and bigotry are becoming a favoured mean for some within the both sides of Armenia’s current political stand-off to make an attention grabbing headlines. This can only be a sign of lack of proper arguments and sensationalism preferred by some, be that individual, blogger, established politician or newspaper.

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Unless CHI stops these cheap tactics and campaign, it risks losing any credibility and joining a growing list of potentially boycotted enterprises, with a very clear “yellow” colour sticking on it. I hope that ordinary to higher level opposition representatives who have influence on this newspaper will pass this message to the CHI. Nothing could be more damaging to the opposition movement than having bigotry associated with it.

Cross posted from Global Voices Online.