Epress.am News from Armenia
"I am pretty disappointed that from the very first day when Public TV announced Aram MP3 as Armenia representative in Eurovision, he started making homophobic and transphobic remarks, especially in relation to Austrian representative in Eurovision. I am sure Eurovision fans in Europe, including many LGBT people, won’t be impressed to learn about Aram MP3 statements so far," writes ArtMika on his blog Unzipped: Gay Armenia, referring to Armenia's entry to the popular European song contest.
ArtMika continues: "In his first Public TV appearance following the nomination, answering pretty ridiculous question by Armenia Eurovision delegation head (what is your opinion about Austria’s 'the bearded woman' Conchita’s 'orientation'?), Aram MP3 replied that for him it’s not normal,' 'not adequate' and as if jokingly continued: ‘Hopefully, we will help her to eventually decide whether she is a woman or man’."
The prominent blogger mentions that similar comments were made at a press conference on March 20: "Reporters also asked about his opinion of Austrian representative Conchita Wurst. Aram MP3 confessed, smiling that it will be difficult. 'I just realised that, nevertheless, we will be on the same stage, since as part of Eurovision all participants have to perform one song together. If, in general, you want to know my position, when I pass by Kom Aygi [Unzipped: cruising park in downtown Yerevan frequented by gay men and particularly trans sex workers], I speed up my car. In this case [re” Conchita], I will try to somehow put up with it'.
"The following day, during his RFE/RL Facebook ‘press conference’ (event's page), many Armenian FB users expressed their dismay about his remarks from above meeting with journalists.
"In reply to criticism, Aram MP3 said he only 'jokingly' noted that it would be difficult for him, ‘to make journalists laugh’, but he was 'honest': “I do not live such life, and regardless how the world progressed or regressed, this is an unacceptable subject matter for me.” After journalist’s insistence, he stated he did not mean to offend Conchita.
"I dare Aram MP3 to repeat such 'jokes' and views to European journalists covering Eurovision.
"I am not a big fan of his song, but good for Aram that it quickly became top viewed among Eurovision entrants on YouTube and bookmakers’ favourite. Shame for Aram’s amateurish attitude towards his colleagues and for his repeated homophobic and transphobic remarks.
"I hope and wish that mixing with the Eurovision crowd will open up his eyes to diversity of people, and to the importance to respect and value such diversity.
"I will not be voting for Aram MP3, because I simply cannot vote for someone with such views. You decide yourself. But if he wins, I will be only happy to see 'gay parade' Eurovision coming to Armenia, although it would be ironic that a person with such questionable views would make this happened [sic]," concludes ArtMika.
Photo credit: Aram MP3's Facebook page