Watch the video of this event below!
The International Armenian Literary Alliance hosted The Future of Armenian Publishing is Queer, a reading and panel discussion in honor of Pride Month, on Tuesday, June 21, 2022.
Some of the most exciting Armenian publishing projects of late have also been led by queer Armenians and feature queer content. Whether in print or online, journals or books, ranging from journalism to creative writing to advocacy, and located across the U.S., Europe, and Armenia, these queer Armenian writers, editors, and activists have filled a current void in Armenian publishing—promoting free expression and progressive ideas at a time when conversations on identity, justice, and self determination are desperately needed in the Armenian community and beyond.
Sophia Armen of Armenian America, Araxie Cass of Azad Archives, Lilit Martirosyan of RightSideNGO (publisher of Let Me Be Me), Anna Nikoghosyan of FemLibrary, and Tatevik Sargsyan of Anamot Press read from their work and presented their groundbreaking publications. Author and IALA board member Nancy Agabian facilitated a discussion on the publishers’ initial motivations, their current goals, and the most urgent issues they face.
“These publishers have shown initiative and innovation in producing literature, advocacy, and community,” Agabian stated. “To bring them together to hear about their work, concerns, and ideas, is crucial at a time when Armenians are facing change. I can’t wait for this conversation about publishing that centers queer Armenian identity.”
This event was funded in part by Poets & Writers with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
