Young gay couple ‘jump to their deaths from a bridge after kissing in final photograph’ in Armenia, local LGBT group claims
- Tigran and Arsen allegedly jumped off the 310ft Davtashen Bridge in Yerevan
- Pink Armenia said they killed themselves ‘because of intolerance towards them’
- Armenia ranks 47th out of 49 European countries for LGBT rights
A young gay couple has shared a final kiss before jumping from a bridge in Albania to their deaths, a local LGBT group has claimed.
Tigran and Arsen shared a heart-wrenching post on Instagram of their final moments with the caption: ‘Happy ending. The decisions about sharing the photos and our next steps were made by both of us.’
The pair then leaped off the 310ft Davtashen Bridge in Yerevan, the country’s capital, Pink Armenia said.
A young gay couple has shared a final kiss before jumping from a bridge in Albania to their deaths, a local LGBT group has claimed
Tigran and Arsen shared a heart-wrenching post on Instagram of their final moments together
Local media reports claim the youngsters’ parents did not accept their relationship and Arsen is believed to have run away from home, although this has not been confirmed.
Rights group Pink Armenia said: ‘The young men still had many years of life ahead of them, but because of intolerance towards them, they took such a tragic step.
‘LGBT people are very familiar with the feeling of isolation and misunderstanding of family and society.
‘This tragic incident proves once again that LGBT people in Armenia are not safe and not protected by society or the state.’
Pink Armenia also said the couple’s post was flooded with vile homophobic comments in the wake of their deaths.
Local media reports claim the youngsters’ parents did not accept their relationship and Arsen is believed to have run away from home
Pink Armenia also said the couple’s post was flooded with vile homophobic comments in the wake of their deaths
Homophobia is a major problem in Armenia and many LGBT couples face discrimination in the former Soviet nation
Homophobia is a major problem in Armenia and many LGBT couples face discrimination in the former Soviet nation.
Homosexuality was only decriminalised in 2003 and many still choose to keep their relationships secret.
The country ranks 47th out of 49 in Europe for LGBT rights, with only Russia and Azerbaijan trailing behind.
In 2012, 55 per cent of people said they would stop a friendship if they discovered the other person was gay.
The same study found 70 per cent thought LGBT people are ‘strange’.
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