Armenia's Drag Scene Defies Ultraconservative Norms

Armenia, situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, hosts an underground drag scene that thrives despite significant challenges. While drag is mainstream in much of the European Union, Armenian performers deal with threats of violence, stigma, police pressure, and even rejection by their own families. Nevertheless, they have created a bustling and passionate community that draws both local Armenians and international crowds.

This avant-garde microculture challenges the country's ultraconservative norms. Armenia's political landscape is evolving as it strengthens ties with the EU and distances itself from Moscow. The influx of tens of thousands of Russians fleeing the war in Ukraine has unexpectedly reshaped Armenian society, including its drag scene. The conservative Christian country has become a refuge, bringing new influences.

Journalists Renée Bertini, Kal Berjikian from ENTR, and François Picard have produced a documentary on this hidden microculture, supported by the Pulitzer Center. The film offers an inside look at the performers' lives, their struggles, and the resilience of their community amid ongoing pushback.