Armenia’s defiant drag scene braves pushback

Armenia sits at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and the Middle East. While in much of the European Union, the drag scene is mainstream, in Armenia it remains underground. Performers face threats of violence, stigma, police pressure and even rejection by their own families.

Despite this, drag queens have built a vibrant, bustling community that has attracted both local Armenians and international crowds. They make up a passionate and determined microculture challenging ultraconservative norms.

And this avant garde scene is, in turn, being influenced by Armenia’s evolving political landscape. ...