Involvement of gay and bisexual men in LGBT activism in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Ukraine

BACKGROUND: LGBT activism of gays and bisexual men (hereinafter MSM) has shown to foster community mobilization and to increase advocacy potential of this group. Moreover, MSM cooperating with human rights activists tend to be easier to engage in social programs. The study explored how much MSM in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia countries engage with NGOs, publically support LGBT rights, and perform other manifestations of LGBT activism.

METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in 2017 by Eurasian Coalition on Male Health. The total sample engaged 5775 MSM-respondents from 10 countries. The study suggested a number of actions as manifestations of LGBT activism and asked respondents how often they had been involved in such actions during the last twelve months. LGBT activism index (AI) was calculated for each country, employing a scale from 0 to 16, by assigning one point for a one-time participation in one activity, and two points for each instance of multiple participation.

RESULTS: Signing petitions and helping victims of discrimination or violence have shown to be the most widespread activities in the overall sample. The AI of the studied countries ranged from 0,6 to 2,4. Nine countries could be divided into three groups: those with relatively low activism scores (Russia, Belarus), those with intermediate scores (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine), and those with relatively high scores (Georgia, Armenia, Lithuania/Estonia).

CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that despite significant variance of the AI across countries, the overall involvement of MSM in activism is very low. The lowest involvement was evident in countries with the least favorable legal environment in regards to LGBT issues and freedom of activism (Russia, Belarus). The variance of the AI between the two remaining country-groups points at a probable influence of public opinion on MSM involvement in activism, in addition to the legal factors.

CO-AUTHORS: Shestakovskyi Oleksii; Kasianchuk, Maksym; Djuma Vitaly; Howell, Sean
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Factors Influencing Social Distance of Health, Social and Police Workers to LGBT People in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia

BACKGROUND: Studies in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia region have demonstrated that negative attitudes toward homosexuality pose serious barriers in obtaining social services. Eurasian Coalition on Male Health (ECOM) conducted a regional survey on attitudes of gate keepers from police, healthcare and social care towards LGBT aimed at measuring social distance and prevalence of prejudice towards LGBT people as barriers to these services.

MЕTHODS: A cross sectional survey was conducted in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Macedonia (2017) in local languages. 712 respondents from healthcare, social care and police were recruited through snowball sampling. Social distance to LGBT was measured by Bogardus’ scale and respondents’ estimation of their social status. Data was analysed with bivariate, cluster, and regression analysis.

RESULTS: 57% respondents were women, median age 38, 77% religious, median work duration 11 years; 45% of medical and 41% of social workers had clients from LGBT. Social and medical workers are less distanced to LGBT than police. 59% social workers, 23% medical workers and 5% police workers accept same-sex marriage. 43% social workers, 10% medical workers and none of police workers accept children adoption by same-sex couples. Several factors influence respondents’ level of social distance and readiness to accept equality: higher age is associated with higher social distance; being medical or social workers is strongly associated with bigger social distance; the more respondents interact with LGBT, the less distance they have and the greater their readiness is to accept equality; belonging to Islam is associated with higher prevalence of prejudice towards LGBT.

CONCLUSIONS: LGBT program implementation Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Macedonia faces high opposition from local social services. Importance of human rights as an integral part of effective health services may be underestimated.

Moskotina R. et al. Study on the Attitudes of Staff of Key Social Services of Five Countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia towards LGBT People, Conducted within the Framework of ECOM's Regional Program "Right to Health" / R. Moskotina, N. Dmitruk, O. Trofimenko, Y. Privalov, M. Kasianczuk / The Eurasian Coalition on Male Health. — Tallinn, 2017. — 94 p.
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Ajalooring

Vanasti, nagu eelistavad armeenia ajalookirjutajad rõhutada, see rahvas elas ja domineeris Kaukaasiast kuni Vahemereni, territooriumidel, mis praegu kuuluvad mitte ainult Armeeniale, vaid ka Iraanile, Türgile ja Süüriale. Ajapikku armeenlased kaotasid poliitilise võimu, aga inimesed, loomulikult, elasid seal edasi. Kui algas sõda, nad põgenesid, ehitasid oma majad teistele maadele… Kõik nii nagu alati.

Jerevani kohvikutes ettekandjate hulgas on palju mehi ja naisi, kes vabalt valdavad armeenia ja inglise keelt, aga üldse ei räägi vene keelt — veel kaks aastat tagasi see oli uskumatu, kuid nüüd siia maapakku tulid Armeenia pagulased Aleppost.

Minu tööreis sai läbi ja mul oli aega, et muuseumides käia ning ma otsustasin Armeenia genotsiidi muuseumi külastada. Muidugi, need muljed ei olnud mõnusad ega põnevad — see oli hirmus kuritegu, kui 75% armeenia rahvast oli halastamatult tapetud XX. sajandi alguses. Kõik need pildid ja dokumendid panid nutma: «nad surid sada surma», kirjutas hiljem üks nende sündmuste tunnistaja. Euroopa, täpselt nagu tänagi, avaldas sügavat kaastunnet, kuid tavalised inimesed püüdsid midagi heaks teha, et seda õudust leevendada. Selle muuseumi ühes saalis nägin ma ootamatult eesti nime — õde Hedvig Anna Büll Haapsalust oli misjonär, kes päästis tol ajal tuhandeid armeenia orbe ja Armeenia riik ning rahvas peab tema tegu meeles.

Emme Büll, nagu teda kutsuti, tegi head — ja see on väga huvitav — ka Aleppos. Niisiis, tundub, et ajalooring sulgub siin: Süürias XX. sajandi alguses sõjategevus ja genotsiid tekitasid modernse Armeenia riigi, kus nüüd Armeenias leidsid varjupaiga pagulased Süüriast, aga euroopa, eriti eesti, elanikud nii vanastigi ja ka praegu aitavad neid, kes selle sõja eest põgenevad.
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Вірменія

Сьогодні я побував у Музеї Геноциду, який в Єревані. Звичайно, враження не можна називати ні приємними, ні милими. Бо коли жахливими способами вбивають 75% народу — вижив лише один з чотирьох! — то навіть на підході вже бракує повітря: «вони вмирали всіма земними смертями», напише пізніше свідок, фотокореспондент.

Природньо, що майже кожному і кожній з вірмен є що розповісти про це з власної сімейної історії: «мій двоюрідний дід, — ділиться моя ровесниця в кав’ярні, — був з іншими чоловіками вивезений в пустелю і розстріляний, опритомнівши, він виліз з-під тіл та чудом повернувся до людей. Двійко дітей врятувались у сусідів-турків. Коли він за кілька років все ж відшукав їх, вони вже не говорили вірменською, він мусив перейти на турецьку, щоби сказати ’я ваш батько’, вони злякались і побігли додому... На щастя, йому дітей віддали».

Європа в той час, як власне і зараз, була глибоко стурбована. Сталін і Гітлер потім візьмуть на озброєння ці способи прийти з клятої минувщини в світле майбутнє. Але люди не стояли осторонь: в одному із залів я неочікувано побачив естонське ім’я — Гедвіга Бюль, яку називали «Матінка Бюль» була місіонеркою та врятувала тисячі вірменських дітей. І Вірменія досі пам’ятає цю скромну жінку з невеликого містечка Гапсалу
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Inadequate MSM and Trans Communities Engagement in HIV Decision-making: Measuring Participation Levels in Eastern Europe and Central Asia – Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Ukraine and Tajikistan

Eurasian Coalition on Male Health (ECOM) initiated a project in Eastern Europe and Central Asia countries to scale-up responses to growing HIV epidemics among MSM/trans people through advocacy, fundraising and empowered community engagement in policies and service provision. ECOM conducted an assessment of gay/bisexual/trans (GBT) community development; levels of epidemics and services available; recognition of MSM/trans people in national HIV policies; involvement of GBT leaders and MSM/trans service organizations in national HIV program governance; domestic investments in HIV services for MSM/trans people.

Data, according to the study protocol and scoring tools, were collected through literature review and semi-structured interviews with representatives of GBT/MSM groups, service organizations and other national and international stakeholders.

The scoring shows, that the involvement of MSM and trans people in HIV decision-making processes ranges from 29% (Belarus and Tajikistan) to 73% (Ukraine), with the majority of countries falling below 50%. While all the countries indicate MSM as key population in HIV policy documents, services are funded predominantly by the Global Fund. Trans people are recognized as a key population only in Kyrgyzstan; there is absolute lack of data on them across the countries. Constant turnover of GBT leadership is observed across the countries.

Regional and country-specific recommendations were produced. The major recommendations are: 1) to increase community representation in decision-making bodies and national research, related to HIV response; 2) to develop national standards of providing HIV related services for key populations; 3) to provide extensive technical support to national MSM and trans community organizations to empower local leadership.

The assessment showed insufficient levels of MSM and trans communities engagement in HIV decision-making processes in all countries under study. The assessment can serve as a powerful tool for measuring the progress of institutionalization and quality control of HIV services for MSM/trans people.

Authors: S. Chikhladze, V. Djuma, M. Kasianchuk, S. Orbelyan, R. Stuikyte, S. Sheremet

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Assessment of Size Estimation studies among MSM and Trans People in Armenia, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Macedonia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Ukraine

Eurasian Coalition on Male Health (ECOM) made the evaluation of existing size estimation (SE) studies in 8 countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia (CEECA). Program planning for MSM can be more efficient if there are accurate estimates of the size of these populations. MSM SE studies are often sub-standard, due to inadequate sampling and political motivations to downplay the existence of certain subgroups.

Review of the existing MSM SE studies was conducted. Assessment protocol and tool was elaborated assessing the existed SE surveys: existence of surveys, reliability of data, recency, use by stakeholders, availability of data on national and regional level. Experts from each country from both governmental and non-governmental institutions participated in the assessment process. The modification of the Delphi technique used to achieve the consensus.

SE of MSM has been conducted in all target countries. However, SE was not done regularly and has not been updated in target countries, except for Armenia and Ukraine. In the majority of countries the research underestimates true number of MSM population (less than 1% of adult male populations in countries). The studies are subject to a number of limitations (small sample size; number of sites; accuracy of census data; difficulties to reach hidden MSM groups; age restriction; differences in definition of MSM, etc.). As a rule, MSM are not involved in the process of survey planning, implementation, analysis and/or management. Part of NGOs/communities do not trust the data coming from SE studies conducted by state and consensus on estimation was not reached. SE of trans population in the region was conducted only in Armenia, but the results are not published yet.

Although MSM SE results are recognized by national HIV programs of target countries, national budgets allocate little to no resources to HIV interventions targeting them. Better communication and collaboration between state institutions and NGO sector as well as effective advocacy can improve the state funding of MSM oriented services. SE should be conducted regularly and qualified representatives from LGBT community organizations should be fully involved in planning, conduction and analysis of SE.

Authors: Chikhladze, Sergo; Kasianchuk, Maxim; Djuma, Vitaly
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Национальный исторический музей. Ереван

Меня отговаривали от похода в музей: ну что там нового? горшки, черепки, камешки — всё как и везде! Но я пошёл. Пошёл за эмоциями.

Сложно, наверное, это передать, но так случается каждый раз. Палеолит, неолит, бронзовый век, железный… Когда я вижу эти черепки, ещё грубые обсидиановые ножи, кувшины с простым орнаментом, перед глазами пируют бессмертные олимпийцы. Когда подхожу к медноблестящим щитам, пастырь народов Атрид и герой Ахиллес благородный спорят о Брисеиде. Когда я любуюсь золотыми серьгами и фиалами, к Телемаху из своих благовонных, высоких покоев выходит Елена, подобная светлой с копьем золотым Артемиде… Из двух часов, полтора ушло только на античность — и полчаса на всё прочее. Это прочее слишком близко и оттого скучно.

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Майдан в Ереване

«Знаете, Максим, мы придавлены нашей древностью, — сказала мне в прошлом году мудрая армянка, — мы пережили так много всего за тысячелетия, что ничему не удивляемся и не верим». Что я мог этому противопоставить? Тогда я не знал. Теперь знаю: в Армении идёт революция, пока ещё бескровная (дай бог!), до этого был Электрический майдан, а ещё раньше — замученная российским солдатом семья, когда вышел на улицу весь город… Всё как у нас — Налоговый и другие майданы, Врадиевка, сожжённая заживо Оксана… Наверно, Украина тоже долго была придавлена своей древностью и уже ничему не верила и ни на что не надеялась. Но случилось чудо и чудовище бежало. Я ежедневно смотрю стримы из Еревана, как смотрел стримы из Киева. Смотрю одновременно с восторгом и слезами. Пусть вам повезёт!
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