Eurovision 2012: Azerbaijan's gays not welcome at home

Gerald · 09-15-11, 06:54 AM

Officials in Azerbaijan insist gay visitors are welcome to the 2012 Eurovision song contest when the event, which has an enthusiastic gay following, is hosted in the capital, Baku.

However, such assurances jar with those who have had first-hand experience of how homosexuals are treated in Azeri society.

"My brother has vowed to kill me, and then kill himself," says Babi Badalov, a radical gay Azeri artist who has recently been granted political asylum in France.

"The day I was 'outed', my sister screamed at me on the phone and told me to stay out of Azerbaijan. I don't think I will ever be able to speak to any of them again."

Mr Badalov grew up in a remote area of Azerbaijan and moved to Baku when he was 15.

There he lived in fear, hiding his sexuality from everyone, including his best friends.

'Worse than prostitution'

"We knew he was gay," says his friend Tora Aghabayova, also an artist.

Babi talks about his work and life in Azerbaijan

"But he never talked about it, so we didn't mention it either. When he got married everyone was surprised. He was trying hard to conform, he was under a lot of pressure.

"In the end, he chose to stay true to himself, so he had to leave. Like a cherry with a stone inside, if you press it too hard, the stone will fly out."

After years of trying to hide his sexual orientation, Mr Badalov tried to claim political asylum in the UK in 2008.

But his application failed on the grounds that homosexuality was not illegal in Azerbaijan.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14913247

Note: 15 September 2011 Last updated at 08:02 GMT

TLAM Strike · 09-15-11, 07:21 AM

Azerbaijan... that's a Christian country right?

the_tyrant · 09-15-11, 07:32 AM

their entry for 2008 was amazing
it was a great song

but it always gave me an impression that they were gay

Spoon 11th · 09-16-11, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

Azerbaijan... that's a Christian country right?

Around 99 percent of the population are Muslims. [/wikipedia]

Betonov · 09-16-11, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spoon 11th

Around 99 percent of the population are Muslims. [/wikipedia]

Confirm he's (almost) right

Quote:

Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.)

https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat...k/geos/aj.html

09-15-11, 06:54 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Eurovision 2012: Azerbaijan's gays not welcome at home Officials in Azerbaijan insist gay visitors are welcome to the 2012 Eurovision song contest when the event, which has an enthusiastic gay following, is hosted in the capital, Baku. However, such assurances jar with those who have had first-hand experience of how homosexuals are treated in Azeri society. "My brother has vowed to kill me, and then kill himself," says Babi Badalov, a radical gay Azeri artist who has recently been granted political asylum in France. "The day I was 'outed', my sister screamed at me on the phone and told me to stay out of Azerbaijan. I don't think I will ever be able to speak to any of them again." Mr Badalov grew up in a remote area of Azerbaijan and moved to Baku when he was 15. There he lived in fear, hiding his sexuality from everyone, including his best friends. 'Worse than prostitution' "We knew he was gay," says his friend Tora Aghabayova, also an artist. Babi talks about his work and life in Azerbaijan "But he never talked about it, so we didn't mention it either. When he got married everyone was surprised. He was trying hard to conform, he was under a lot of pressure. "In the end, he chose to stay true to himself, so he had to leave. Like a cherry with a stone inside, if you press it too hard, the stone will fly out." After years of trying to hide his sexual orientation, Mr Badalov tried to claim political asylum in the UK in 2008. But his application failed on the grounds that homosexuality was not illegal in Azerbaijan. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14913247 Note: 15 September 2011 Last updated at 08:02 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

09-15-11, 07:21 AM	#2
TLAM Strike Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 8,633 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 6	Azerbaijan... that's a Christian country right? __________________

09-15-11, 07:32 AM	#3
the_tyrant Admiral Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 2,272 Downloads: 58 Uploads: 0	their entry for 2008 was amazing it was a great song but it always gave me an impression that they were gay __________________ My own open source project on Sourceforge OTP.net KGB grade encryption for the rest of us