VivaCell-MTS and Armenian Red Cross Society Together for Humanity

On July 31, 2009 VivaCell-MTS and Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS) joined hands to address humanitarian challenges facing the state and society. The two Organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding for this purpose during a press conference at the Headquarters of the Armenian Red Cross Society.

Because we care! A notion that gathered the efforts of two of the biggest organizations in Armenia: The Red Cross ARCS and VivaCell-MTS. Both having the best interest of the support of vulnerable groups at heart, joined hands for the society’s welfare.

The long term cooperation between the ARCS and VivaCell-MTS will start with a very vital cause, the fight against the HIV virus, the millennium’s merciless evil. Realizing the importance of awareness in prevention of the virus, the two organizations come together to raise population’s awareness on prevention of HIV/AIDS. The activities will be multi-staged and will involve a wide range of educational events: spread of information materials, public events, etc. Within the framework of the activities, all kind of print materials with brief information on HIV/AIDS and alarming messages and guidance tips and advises will be available to all the Armenian society to benefit from.

“Today VivaCell-MTS and Armenian Red Cross Society have come together to join their efforts to address the needs of the most vulnerable population and to provide them with reachable and effective support. Join us, don’t stay indifferent to the pain of others”, mentioned in the speech the leader of the Armenian Red Cross Society.

“We owe our society the right to know! With knowledge and awareness we can better prevent and fight any disease. Awareness and prevention are each and every one’s responsibility and tolerance is required when dealing with HIV cases. Because we care we are here today, what about you?” asked VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

The press conference started with a very significant yet meaningful action taken by the leaders of both organizations, together with their staff of volunteers, who did a blood testing with the purpose of HIV investigation

source: VivaCell-MTS

86 percents would not tolerate

Most Armenians do not accept to have homosexual neighbors.
According to the Women’s Resource Center when the question ‘what would you do if your neighbor is homosexual?”was asked, 86% of the respondents answered that , they would not tolerate it. Anush Poghosian, the Centers for sexual and reproductive health issues states that a few years ago the intolerance towards homosexuality was 100%.
She continues to say: “It is normal that many of us have stereotypes. But can’t they change by reading, studying, and observing? It is encouraging that a small percentage of the population has become aware of people having the right to be as they are.”
The director of PINK Information Center, Mamikon Hovsapyan says lately, a great number of people asked him about homosexuality. According to him, the interest grew since December, when Armenia joined the United Nations statement for the protection of homosexuals. Hovsepyan states: “The basic confusion when discussing homosexuals is the belief that they are prostitutes wearing women's clothing and spreading sexually transmitted infections.” Hovsepyan wants to convince that on the exterior most homosexuals do not differ from other people. As for sexually transmitted infections, they are also spread by people who have non-homosexual orientation.
The coordinator of organization, Lilit Khorenyan believes that even the high officials of this country have erroneous ideas. When asked to give their views about homosexuality they respond by saying "It's a sickness. Go to Holland, it's the newest fashion there. We have entered the European Union and the newspapers are using homophobic phrases".
Mamikon Hovsepyan declares although there seems to be no apparent problems in Armenia, legal or otherwise, in regards to homosexuals, abuse and violence are current happenings especially during their military service. He also points out that is equally hurtful when the rights of individuals are invaded when their personal information, such as their names and photos, is made public, an event that occurred recently when a local paper printed an article about Armenian lesbians causing much commotion.

source: A1+

Did you watch “Harvey Milk”?

Yesterday I came to Gyumri for 3 days to conduct a training session in the frames of “Global Health Week of Action”. At night I was watching TV and I was so happy that many channels were showing comedy, the best choice for the 1^st of April. Suddenly I noticed that “Tsayg” local TV is showing “Harvey Milk”, they also repeated the movie in the afternoon of April 2, I want to remind that this is the channel that in December, 2007 invited me to their live talk show about sexual minorities.

It was my dream to watch this movie, to see the person who struggled for freedom, tolerance and equal rights.

Harvey was a person who was living for his community and never giving up, protecting the rights of people who are the victims of discrimination and intolerance.

We all have to learn from him if we want peace and freedom.

We have to be together live Harvey’s friends were with him.

We should not give up if we want to live with normal life.

I learn a lot from Harvey Milk, even all the phrases that he said are in my mind.

Hope one day I can be so strong like him and I can do at least part of his work. I wish one day to stand on the top of the mountain with you and feel the wind of freedom.

Dear friends, I am always ready to help you as much as I can. We have to be a big team.

I can’t have my private life till my friends are not free...

Yours,

Mamikon Hovsepyan