Trans woman Samira Shah appeals to the President and First Vice President

“I love my homeland, I do not want to move from my country, my city, and I am against anything that prevents me from forming as a person and doing what I love.”

Trans singer Samira Shah, in a video address to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva on social media, drew attention to the discrimination and hate campaigns faced by LGBTQI+s in society. In her speech, she called for the protection of her right to live and work as both a citizen and an artist.

Samira Shah stated in her appeal that it is unacceptable for her, as a citizen of the Azerbaijani state and a trans woman, to become a target simply for her existence in society:

“I am a member of this society and, although I have not committed any crime, I am judged and threatened by people. I have not killed anyone and I have not harmed anyone. As a citizen of the free, democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, I cannot be punished for my existence without reason.”

The singer added that hateful rhetoric directed at LGBTQI+s continues in the media and public discourse:

“As soon as one person does something, they gather everyone and make them experience unforgettable trauma…. I want to remind you that we are no different from other people… and that we are equal before the same laws, and yet we are completely oppressed and suffer. .”

In her appeal, Samira Shah called for the elimination of discrimination against trans and non-heterosexual people in workplaces and public spaces, and for the state leadership to pay special attention to this issue:

“We are being kicked out of places we go because of our gender and orientation, and we are being rejected. This must end now.”

She also noted that internationally, the LGBTQ+ community is an important part of the creative industry and culture, while in Azerbaijan, these people are “destined” to engage in dangerous and stigmatized activities such as sex work:

“... In foreign countries, LGBT individuals are the creators of brands such as Adidas, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, Louis Vuitton,.… In our society, they almost don’t let us do anything except sex work, that is, they create obstacles…. And here we have such difficulty doing what we love.”

Following the smear campaign

Let us recall that last week, some media outlets took Samira Shah's speech at the Mirza Alakbar Sabir Culture House in Bulbula settlement out of context and presented it as "propaganda that arouses public discontent."

Minority Azerbaijan assessed this incident as a "smear campaign and violation of professional ethics" and called on journalists to refrain from hateful rhetoric.

"Targeting people based on their gender identity or appearance cannot be justified by freedom of information or public interest. This is a violation of ethics and human dignity," Minority Azerbaijan stated.

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