For the first time in history, Armenia will be represented in an international transgender beauty contest. Trans activist and model Diana Ghzroyan announced a few weeks ago that she will participate in Miss Star International, a beauty pageant for transgender women to be held in São Paulo, Brazil, in December of this year. The winning contestant will receive a cash prize, contracts with Spanish modeling agencies and the opportunity to engage in activism to increase the visibility of the trans community on a global scale.
In a conversation with the Weekly, Ghzroyan enthusiastically recalled receiving the offer to participate in the contest. Years ago, she applied to the pageant to represent Armenia, but she never received a response. This year, the pageant organizers contacted her through social media and invited her to participate.
“Since I am very fearless and unyielding, I thought that something could be done for our country and our community. After studying international transgender pageants, I realized that this opportunity is open to Armenia, as there has never been a participant from our country. When I received the offer, I agreed without hesitation, because I thought that if I received the offer unexpectedly, then the time had come,” Ghzroyan said with a smile. She emphasized that participating in such a pageant is a significant platform for the voice of the trans Armenian community to be heard. “I view this platform not just as a beauty pageant, but as a good opportunity to make our community more visible,” she said.
This news has generated a strong response both in Armenia and the Diaspora. “You cannot imagine how much support I have received from our local community and our compatriots abroad since this information spread. Many people are reaching out to me, offering their support and expressing pride in my journey. I have never experienced such kind of support. It empowers me so much that I’m starting to overlook the negativity,” Ghzroyan said.
However, alongside this support, a wave of hatred and threats has surged toward Ghzroyan and the entire trans community of Armenia. Ghzroyan said that such a reaction was expected. “I understand the mentality of this society, which is why I decided to participate in the contest to make our community more visible. For me, these threats are neither news nor a shock, but the fact is that I have never felt so much hatred and security threats directed at me,” she said.
Ghzroyan’s freedom of movement is now limited. She leaves her house only when absolutely necessary and travels in her friends’ cars. “I won’t lie and say that I am fearless and that this hasn’t affected me. First of all, I am human, and no human emotion is alien to me. After receiving specific threats, my freedom and movement have been restricted, and I avoid leaving home. Regardless of everything, this is Armenia, and we cannot predict what will happen to us at any moment. I will live this way until the pageant. I don’t want to create a situation that might prevent me from participating,” she said.
Trans activist Lilit Martirosyan, president of the “Right Side” NGO, celebrates Ghzroyan’s participation in the contest. “I welcome and am very proud of Diana for her courage and strength, despite the many threats she is currently facing, including death threats,” Martirosyan said.
“Right Side” NGO is documenting the threats, hate speech and acts of violence on social media against Ghzroyan and plans to contact the police. “Diana’s life is genuinely in danger. She can’t even leave the house. Many are threatening her, saying, ‘There isn’t much time left. We will eliminate you soon.’ We’ve noticed that groups are forming with plans to prevent Diana from traveling to São Paulo. Some have even suggested, ‘Let’s pour a chemical substance on Diana’s face, so she won’t be able to participate in the competition.’ Can you imagine the extent of people’s cruelty? After these recent incidents, I too am being very cautious. Generally, I am fearless, but you never know what could happen at any moment,” Martirosyan said with sadness.
Rising hostility toward the LGBTIQ+ community in the South Caucasus
LGBTIQ+ activists across the region have reported a sharp rise in aggression against their community in recent months. Georgia’s recent anti-LGBT legislation has exacerbated the situation. The series of laws, adopted by the Georgian parliament in September, bans “LGBT propaganda” and curbs a number of rights for the LGBTIQ+ community.
Immediately following the adoption of the legislative package, trans activist and model Kesaria Abramidze, a participant in Miss Star International 2018, was killed by her ex-partner the next day. These developments in Armenia’s neighboring country have had a significant impact on Armenian society.
“Now, in Armenia, some say that the Georgians are more honorable for killing a trans woman. The murderer of Kesaria is not only welcomed in Armenia but is also invited to ‘continue the work.’ We live in a dangerous society. I can repeat endlessly that trans people are the most targeted in our region. Every movement, every change in Georgia, also affects neighboring states. I hope Armenia will not adopt such laws, as it is currently trying to position itself as more democratic and seeking visa liberalization, but I do not see tangible results yet,” Martirosyan said.
Martirosyan emphasizes a crucial difference between the political authorities of Armenia and Georgia. The president of Georgia participated in a candlelight vigil for Abramidze and issued an official statement condemning her murder. Meanwhile, Armenian politicians did not make any official statements regarding the murder of trans woman Adriana Sargsyan last year. “Not a single government official [in Georgia] has expressed support for the killing of a trans person. The action taken by the Georgian president is commendable. It demonstrates a commitment to democracy despite the disgraceful laws and changes instigated by certain forces,” Martirosyan said.
Ghzroyan noted that Georgia was once considered the safest place in the region for trans individuals, but now she cannot go there due to the current climate. “Until recently, when there was tension here, my friend and I would say, ‘Well, we’ll go to Georgia. It’s safer there. People are more tolerant.’ But now, such a drastic change has occurred. This is just shameful. I never imagined that such developments were possible in Georgia. All this indirectly affects me, because my situation is discussed in the comments on all the news about Kesaria. The murder is legitimized and even celebrated. They say, isn’t there a guy like the one who killed Kesaria who could eliminate me in Armenia?” she shared.
Trans activists assert that such developments in the region have severely impacted the local trans community. Many are now focused on obtaining visas to leave the country.
“These attacks on Diana, the murder of Adriana in Armenia a year ago, and now the murder of Kesaria in Georgia have greatly affected our trans community and activists. When we gather to discuss these issues, we realize that the entire trans community is now in danger, and we are all very scared. We cannot predict what will happen to us at any moment,” Martirosyan stated.
“Right Side” NGO is preparing an annual summary report (expected to be ready early next year) documenting how violence has increased in Armenia over the past year. The NGO currently has more than 35 cases in courts and with the police. “Our two lawyers are constantly running from one place to another, and they can’t keep up. Additionally, we conduct consultations daily,” Martirosyan added.
Despite the tense atmosphere in Armenia, trans activists continue their work tirelessly, with commitment to their cause. At the conclusion of our conversation, Ghzroyan expressed that one should not despair or think this is the end. Instead, one should constantly seek new ways to continue the struggle, as she is by participating in the pageant. “We are not doing anything illegal. We just want our rights to be protected and to live peacefully like everyone else,” she said.
Yelena Sargsyan
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“Trans”, “Gay” etc. is against the teachings of the Armenian Church and culture.
It is completely unacceptable.
Just because the Americans have gone mad doesn’t mean that Armenians have to as well.
This (non-Armenian) American fully agrees with you. At least it’s own pageant, and not taking a place away from an *actual* woman.
True Christians, people who believe in the dignity of all people, espouse the spirit of Jesus who was all inclusive. Check scientific evidence of the diversity of species.
Also, how DARE ANY Armenian persecute another person. Hypocrisy! You were persecuted! Get with the times and show loving kindness!
@Linda Chatalian
How DARE you try to foist America’s degenerate and decadent culture on to Armenia?
How DARE you try to undermine the teachings and values of the Armenian Church?
It is the Armenian Cburch that saved the people when Armenians lived as dhimmis under Ottoman and Persian rule.
It is the Church that will save the people from America’s insanity, decadence and degeneracy.
Live and let live, neither you or any organization has the right to impose your values on the entire population, you don’t like it, stay away from it, if the subject doesn’t pose a physical threat to the public, he/she/they has the right to exist and thrive, how DARE you aggressively attempt to silence a loving and embracing voice such as Linda, she is more Christian than you could ever be, you vindictive dictator, and don’t speak on behalf of the Armenian nation, we don’t need backward minded cave people like you, if you embrace the stone age values, I would suggest you move to Afghanistan, Iran, north korea, or Uganda, the capitol of hatred, you might even be appointed as a dictating commander. What a piece of work you are.
And neither do you.
Suppose a man defies the Church and says he is a woman, suppose he even has surgery so that he can pass as a woman.
So what?!
He is still a man and when he dies and his body is analysed, his bones and DNA will still be that of a man.
Armenians must be on alert. It was through talk of “tolerance” that America became perverse, degenerate, decadent and insane.
Armenia must never become like America.
Armenia must not lose its soul and become alienated from God and the Church.
Armenia did not lose Soviet atheism in order to gain American godlessness.
@Linda,
Jesus also said we should forgive our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Should we?
This is a sensitive issue and without passing any judgement and philosophizing, I say as much right as these people have or want to have to be accepted and treated equally, so do those who reject their ways of life. It goes both ways!
I can’t believe the comments being posted here. The trans-community is a small minority in the population, they are not encouraging anyone else to “turn”, they’re not harming anyone. Why so much hatred and threatened, as well as real, violence against them? Where is our humanity? Trans-genders are persons born with a real and painful sense that they are the wrong sex. They haven’t chosen this way of life. Leave them alone!
Respectfully, they are *very much* harming women and children. They are invading female sports (over 900 medals lost to males), prisons, shelters, rape crisis centers, changing rooms, and restrooms. They insist they ARE fully women (despite clearly biology indicating they are not) based on mere feelings. Yet we’re not supposed to question these males in our spaces for any reason to “be kind”. Which opens the door to *any* predator, cheater, etc.
The selection of Ghrzoyan was a political move reminiscent of the selection of drag performer Conchita Wurst who won Eurovision. The importing of the West’s worst values and controlled demolition of Armenia continues.
There is an “East-West” culture clash on LGBTQ issues and Western ideas, not only in Armenia, but also in rest of the former Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc. LGBTQ is a taboo in most of these countries, and in the Caucasus, Central Asia, Russia and Belarus, very much so. While I personally believe that marriage should be between a man and woman and adoption by heterosexual couples, Armenia (and the other countries of these “former clubs”) has more pressing issues.
In the face of so much hatred, I am grateful for “The Armenian Weekly”‘s continued platforming of LGBT+ Armenians. Your support is invaluable.