Queer Armenia: Yerevan Takes Drag Out of the Shadows

Kal Berjikian
Grantee

The migration of Russians to Yerevan after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has left a lasting imprint on Armenia, particularly on the country’s LGBTQ+ community.

Before the war, there was only one LGBTQ+ club in Yerevan: the DIY bar, which was firebombed in 2012. Now, the capital hosts underground queer parties, openly LGBTQ+-friendly bars, and a growing drag scene.

However, this doesn’t mean the country has become welcoming for LGBTQ+ Armenians. Homophobia remains widespread, and ILGA ranks the country among the most hostile in Europe.

The cost of rent has also 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 report, produced with ENTR and FRANCE 24, follows two drag queens during underground Pride performances — one Armenian and the other Russian — to better understand how the changing demographics in Yerevan have transformed the lives of young queer Armenians.

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