This reporting project follows two drag queens—one Armenian and the other Russian—during an underground Pride performance to better understand how the changing demographics in Yerevan have transformed the lives of young queer Armenians.
Since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the migration of tens of thousands of Russians to Armenia’s capital has left a lasting imprint on the country, particularly on its LGBTQ+ community. In 2012, an LGBTQ+ club in Yerevan, called the DIY bar, was firebombed. Just over a decade later, the capital now hosts underground queer parties, openly LGBTQ+-friendly bars and a growing drag scene.
However, this does not mean the country has become welcoming for LGBTQ+ Armenians. Homophobia remains widespread, and ILGA-Europe, a LGBTI advocacy group, ranks the country among the most hostile in Europe. In addition, the cost of rent has skyrocketed, forcing many queer Armenians to move back in with family members.
According to activists, this has led to an unprecedented rise in domestic violence cases and an increase in people seeking asylum abroad.
This reporting project was produced with the France 24 news network and ENTR, a media outlet for young Europeans.
