Allies talk: Lusine Karamyan, scientist-researcher

There are LGBT individuals among my colleagues and friends, and that fact changes nothing in my life, except that my communications are enriched, and that my life becomes more colorful.

A few years ago we were going to Tbilisi with two of my colleagues. We had to participate in a conference the organizers rented an apartment for us. And so it turned out that on the last day I suddenly felt sick in the restaurant, and one of my colleagues helped me get into a cab and go home.

The other one, as it turned out, was at home, and I understood that he had a date and was waiting for his guest. So my arrival was much unexpected. I thought that I disturbed that person, but in reality, trust me, he did not even give such a hint, or so I felt, that my unexpected return home did not make him sad or angry.

On the contrary, he surrounded me with such care, giving me tea and staying next to me until he was convinced that I feel relatively better, that I can sleep, and only then he went to continue his evening.

At first glance, it’s something illogical, but both of them were homosexual, young, smart individuals.

And I ask myself a question: Why would I have refused to get on a road with them or spend some days under the same roof with them. Is it just because their sexual orientation differs from mine?

I believe that it’s extremely important that we really build our contacts and communications based on person’s qualities and values.

This material was made possible through the support from the “Allies in Action” program by COC Netherlands and ILGA-Europe.