The honorees and public officials at Equality Armenia’s Leadership Forum
GLENDALE—On Thursday March 29, Equality Armenia held its first annual Leadership Council. The forum brought together elected officials, community leaders, and activists to discuss advancing LGBTQ equality in Armenia and also to honor those who have continuously supported Armenian and LGBTQ causes. This year’s honorees were Los Angeles Councilmember Mitch O’farrell, West Hollywood Councilmember John Duran, and Glendale Councilmember Zareh Sinanyan.
The event took place at the renowned Glen Arden Club in Glendale. The venue, built in 1927, was chosen not only for its warm, old-Hollywood charm and friendly personnel, but also as a symbolic confluence for the cities of Los Angeles and West Hollywood. Guests were welcomed at the door by volunteers who ushered them in for an official Equality Armenia photo, after which they mingled with other guests at the grand bar lounge. Live melodies by pianist Sergey Kyosayan, hosted wine bar and decadent hors d’oeuvres created a memorable prelude for the award presentation in the upstairs ballroom.
Community members turned out for Equality Armenia’s Leadership Forum
Equality Armenia Communications Director Vic Gerami opened the ceremonies with a moment of silence for Halo Trust’s de-miners Pavel Akopov, Samson Avanessian, and Marat Petrossian who lost their lives that day in Artsakh from a landmine explosion. Following his opening remarks, Gerami acknowledged a long list of elected officials and dignitaries in the room which included Glendale Mayor Vartan Gharpetian, LA County Tax Assessor Jeffrey Prang, Glendale Councilmembers Paula Devine and Ara Najarian, ANCA Glendale Chair Artin Manoukian, ANCA-WR Board members Anahid Oshagan and Joseph Kaskanian, Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur, Lambda Legal Western Regional Director Shedrick Davis, South African Consul Azwifarwi Shadrack Nepfumbada, Armenia School Foundation Chair Moneh Der Grigorian, Glendale Unified School District Board Member Shant Sahakian, Armenian Bar Association Board Member Ara Babaian and GALAS Representative Nicole Yeghiazarian. Also in attendance were members of the media: Cary Harrison of KPFK’s Reality Check, Thom Senzee of LGBTs In The News, Paulo Murillo and Marco Colantonio of WeHo Times, Joan Aghajanian Quinn of Beverly Hills View, and PanArmenian TV Producer Ara Kazaryan.
Then Glendale Mayor Vartan Gharpetian addresses the Equality Armenia event
Next, Gerami welcomed Glendale Mayor Vartan Gharpetian to the podium. In his moving speech, Mayor Gharpetian, assured the audience that Glendale is a welcoming and diverse city where 65 languages are spoken. The Mayor congratulated Equality Armenia for encouraging and facilitating a constructive dialogue in Armenian communities about LGBTQ inclusiveness equal right and equal protection under law. Mayor Gharpetian concluded his speech to a standing ovation by reminding everyone that “LGBTQ rights are human rights and human rights are LGBTQ rights”.
Following Mayor Gharpetian, Equality Armenia Executive Director Armen Abelyan addressed the gathered. Abelyan congratulated Equality Armenia Board of Directors, including Director of Resources Karen Mikaelian who couldn’t be present due to an illness, and all the volunteers who helped organize the event. After noting Equality Armenia’s recent accomplishments, Abelyan asked everyone to reimagine “Armenia’s LGBTQ Problem as an economic stimuli in disguiseâ€
