Grief and Community: A Virtual Support Group

We are devastated and heartbroken by the news of Arsen and Tigran’s suicide. The young gay couple shared a post on Instagram before jumping from the Davitashen bridge in Yerevan, Armenia. May they Rest In Peace.

Losing our community members to suicide is, unfortunately, too familiar to us. It is painful; it is unfair; and it is recurring.

Despite our brave strides towards progress for LGBTQ+ Armenians, we are consistently subjected to blatant homophobia and transphobia from the larger Armenian community, resulting in unfathomable losses like those of Arsen and Tigran.

To our LGBTQ+ Armenian community: you are loved. We are here for you. Please reach out.

To our allies: we call on you to continue speaking up and advocating for us among your loved ones.

To the larger Armenian community: we hold you accountable for harming LGBTQ+ Armenians. If you’re silent, you’re also a part of the problem. We serve as a resource for learning effective allyship. Work with us.

Send us a DM, an e-mail, a voicemail.

We are here for you.

For anyone who needs a space to grieve, join GALAS on Saturday, October 22 at 10:30am PT for a virtual support group, facilitated by a licensed therapist.