It is rather well known that gay life in the Armenian capital of Yerevan is rather vibrant if still underground, but It is truly remarkable that Armenia’s third largest city Vanadzor (pop. 107,394) is the location for a new gay-themed play, “MetastaZ.”

More info via Unzipped: Gay Armenia:

It’s my personal impression that theatre life in Armenia sees its kind of new revival. And it’s not only classical theatre but alternative one too. Experimental theatre has its regular scheduling at the NPAK or other venues. HighFest festival brings to Armenia cutting edge performances from within the country and abroad, e.g. by English playwright Mark Ravenhill.

Then he quotes PinkArmenia:

The most interesting fact is that a performance based on real facts of two homosexuals was played in the third city of Armenia and not Yerevan.The main goal of the director was not the elucidation of the theme of homosexuality and drugs in general, but the torture of the people, having a pain arisen by treachery. The same can overtake each of us like it happened to the heroes of performance “MetastaZ”. […]

The most part of public has been shocked and admired from professional acting and director’s work of performance, and some others experienced a shock, proceeding from basic reasons and traditional mentality: “How can it be possible, we are Armenians, not homos?” […]

There are video clips of the performance here and one is below:

Dear AGLA NY Members and friends,

It is my pleasure to welcome Veken Gueyikian as the new President of AGLANY.  Veken is an intelligent, energetic and dedicated professional  who served as Vice President for the past year, and without whom we could not have accomplished all that we did. We are looking for a few interested and energetic individuals to work with Veken in the coming year as a member of our organization. Please email Veken through this form if you are interested in volunteering.

I would also like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their support and help over the past two years that I have had the honor of serving as AGLA NY President.

We are now officially a tax-deductible charity, which means that we can raise funds like any other non-profit. The process took close to two years and I’d like to thank Hadi and Cleary Gottlieb for their help and hard work in processing all the necessary forms.

In the past two years, AGLA NY has built on a strong base to improve the organization in numerous other ways: our new blog is both informative and popular; our new lecture series attracts 20-40 people, both Armenian and non-Armenian at each event; and our coverage and name has expanded in the Armenian community and without. And of course, we continue to host traditionally popular events, such as our annual Armenian Christmas party.

In the coming year, we have many fun and novel events planned, including a winter benefit to raise funds for the organization and a spring conference on LGBT rights in the Caucasus.

We hope you will join AGLA NY if you have not already done so, and that you join us at as many upcoming events as possible. Bring your friends and spread the word!

Sincerely,
Christopher Atamian