Armenian homosexuals in France accuse president of homophobia

Arminfo
4 Nov 04

PARIS

The association of Armenian gays and lesbians in France (AGLA) has
recently staged a protest action outside the Armenian embassy in
Paris.

AGLA reports that demonstrators, around 30 people, chanted: “Kocharyan
– homophobe”. The main reason for the action was the increasing number
of homophobia cases in Armenia.

During the action the demonstrators met representatives of the
Armenian embassy and gave them two letters for Armenian President
Robert Kocharyan and Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan.

“We receive a lot of letters from Armenia which list numerous cases of
discrimination and violence in Armenia. Gays are victims of blackmail,
beatings and brutal treatment by the police on a permanent basis. They
are often defenceless in the face of hatred and street violence,” the
letters said.

Representatives of AGLA demanded that the Armenian leadership begin to
resolutely fight against manifestations of homophobia and
discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.