Tag: gay azerbaijan

Azerbaijan loses an LGBT human rights defender

Strasbourg – “I am deeply disturbed and saddened by the sudden death of Isa Sahmarli, the chairman of the Azerbaijan Free LGBT group (Azad LGBT), who took his own life on 22 January in Baku,” said Robert Biedron (Poland, SOC), General Rapporteur on the rights of LGBT people for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council… Read more »

Azerbaijan: Gay man found dead in Baku in wake of first gay pride rally

A 53-year-old gay man has been found dead in Azerbaijan’s capital city of Baku, according to reports. The body of the man, who has been named by police as M Namiyev, was found last night on the side of Sumgayit Highway, in the Baku suburb of Bilacari. Police information indicates that Mr Namiyev, who was… Read more »

Azerbaijan: First ever gay pride ‘mini rally’ held in country capital with no arrests or harassment

In what is believed to be the first ever pride celebration in Azerbaijan, a group of gay marchers recently paraded a “mini rally” through the capital city Baku, with no arrests, reports of harassment, or violence at the demonstration. Oxu news reports that the event, organised by gay rights activists Ruslan Baluxin, took place “in… Read more »

Azerbaijan: First ever gay pride ‘mini rally’ held in country capital with no arrests or harassment

In what is believed to be the first ever pride celebration in Azerbaijan, a group of gay marchers recently paraded a “mini rally” through the capital city Baku, with no arrests, reports of harassment, or violence at the demonstration. Oxu news reports that the event, organised by gay rights activists Ruslan Baluxin, took place “in… Read more »

Feature: The truth about gay life in Azerbaijan outside of the Eurovision Song Contest

As Baku celebrates the end of the Eurovision Song Contest, which saw Sweden’s Loreen win with her song Euphoria, we examine the realities of life of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people are forced to lead in oppressive Azerbaijan. ‘Welcome to the Eurovision Song Contest, from Baku in Europe!’ greeted star-eyed host Eldar ‘Ell’ Gasimov,… Read more »

Eurovision winner speaks out against Azerbaijan gay rights record

Sweden’s Loreen met with human rights activists before winning the international pop contest Eurovision winner Loreen, who stormed to victory last night (26 May) at the Eurovision Song Contest, has spoken publicly about Azerbaijan’s gay rights record. The Swedish pop star met with human rights activists this week in the capital to encourage their fight… Read more »

Eurovision winner speaks out against Azerbaijan gay rights record

Sweden’s Loreen met with human rights activists before winning the international pop contest Eurovision winner Loreen, who stormed to victory last night (26 May) at the Eurovision Song Contest, has spoken publicly about Azerbaijan’s gay rights record. The Swedish pop star met with human rights activists this week in the capital to encourage their fight… Read more »

Behind Eurovision’s Crystal Hall: Gay life in Azerbaijan

As Baku welcomes the camp Eurovison Song Contest, we examine the challenge that gay, bi and trans Azeris face in an oppressive Azerbaijan ‘Welcome to the Eurovision Song Contest, from Baku in Europe!’ greeted star-eyed host Eldar ‘Ell’ Gasimov, the 2011 contest in a duo with Nigar Jamal. The flamboyant contest is being held in… Read more »

Gays Face Rampant Homophobia in Azerbaijan

Intolerant Eurovision Host The Eurovision Song Contest has a massive gay following. But homophobia is rife in this year’s host country, Azerbaijan, where gays and lesbians have to keep a low profile and fear violent attacks. Even so, locals say that gay Eurovision fans traveling to Baku needn’t fear for their safety — because the… Read more »

Anti-gay Eurovision protests intensify in Iran

Homophobic Muslims take to streets of two cities in Iran, furious at rumors of a gay pride event during the Eurovision Song Contest in Azerbaijan Angry homophobes took to the streets of two Iranian cities on Friday (11 May) to protest rumors of a gay pride event during next week’s Eurovision Song Contest in neighboring… Read more »

Mass Evictions in Baku as Eurovision Nears

With the Eurovision Song Contest just two months away, the pace of construction in host city Baku, Azerbaijan, has reached its red-hot apex. Caspian shore roads are being extended, glorious marble parks are being laid, and the city’s signature downtown concert venue is gasping toward completion. The government has invested millions in a frenzied city… Read more »

Eurovision 2012: Azerbaijan’s Gays Not Welcome at Home

Officials in Azerbaijan insist gay visitors are welcome to the 2012 Eurovision song contest when the event, which has an enthusiastic gay following, is hosted in the capital, Baku. However, such assurances jar with those who have had first-hand experience of how homosexuals are treated in Azeri society. “My brother has vowed to kill me,… Read more »

Eurovision 2012: Azerbaijan’s gays not welcome at home

Officials in Azerbaijan insist gay visitors are welcome to the 2012 Eurovision song contest when the event, which has an enthusiastic gay following, is hosted in the capital, Baku. However, such assurances jar with those who have had first-hand experience of how homosexuals are treated in Azeri society. “My brother has vowed to kill me,… Read more »