Activists embody more than just the ability to endure hardships; they are individuals facing unique challenges and vulnerabilities.

The edition highlights that true self-care includes community care. This means activists should focus not only on their personal well-being but also on cultivating supportive relationships within their communities. Creating these bonds is crucial for addressing burnout and despair, common issues in activism. By providing mutual support, activists can build a care network to help them navigate difficulties. This approach challenges the notion that self-care is a solitary pursuit and emphasises the importance of collective support.

This edition delves into these themes, emphasising the significance of safe spaces and mental health. Safe spaces offer activists environments where they can express themselves without fear of judgment or reprisal. These spaces are vital for mental health, providing a refuge from the stresses of activism. The edition features essays and art from activists in the South Caucasus, discussing the impact of political burnout, the necessity of supportive communities, and the role of art in expressing and preserving queer joy.

Art plays a significant role in activism, providing a creative outlet for activists to express their emotions and experiences. The featured essays and artwork demonstrate how art can be a powerful tool for preserving and celebrating queer joy, even in the face of adversity. The authors have provided insights into this through lived realities and experiences that caring for oneself and one's community is essential for sustaining activism. By prioritising both self-care and community care, activists can ensure they have the strength and motivation needed to continue their important work.

This edition is co-edited by Shivi and Narine Khachatryan.

Narine Khachatryan

Narine Khachatryan is an investigative reporter, and a digital investigations and verification trainer. She specialises in tracking human rights violations, war crimes and environmental issues using online open source investigation techniques.

Shivi

Shivi is currently exploring the intersection of all things human rights, feminism, tech and art - areas of particular interest include freedom of expression and freedom of association and assembly online, feminist principles of the internet, digital communications, online campaigning, and LGBTIQ+ rights.

Include at FPI

Don't

editorial

Celebrants of Diversity and Community Seekers: Reflections from Central Asia and the South Caucasus

Shivi

This edition traverses a broad spectrum of personal and political themes, offering deeper insights into the often-overlooked threads in the fabric of community infrastructure, while keeping the experiences of people at the heart of the discussion. The community’s needs and processes remain central, sustained by these tools, hence practising intentional communication and dialogue, albeit sometimes challenging, is foundational.

Feminist Marching Towards Change: The Evolving Significance of International Women's Day in Azerbaijan

Khayyam Namazov

In Azerbaijan, International Women’s Day, traditionally celebrated with festivals and gift-giving, is being reclaimed by feminists as a day of activism to address gender inequalities. The article traces IWD’s shift from Soviet customs to today’s feminist rallies and campaigns, despite repression. A historic feminist march, facing police violence, marked the first IWD celebrated as Equality Day. Queer activists joined the protests, pushing for safety and rights across genders and orientations. Despite state intimidation, these rallies have become crucial acts of resistance and identity expression.

Life as a Queer Person in Tajikistan

Anonymous (not verified)

The article highlights the stark gap between Tajikistan’s laws and the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals, who face serious discrimination despite the country’s secular, democratic claims. Though homosexuality was decriminalised in 1998, LGBTQIA+ people still endure blackmail, extortion, and police harassment, especially on dating platforms. In a conservative society where LGBTQIA+ topics are often silenced, many find solace and expression through art, which provides a safe space to share their stories, embrace their identities, and voice their struggles and hopes.

When Safe Spaces Disappear: An essay on political burnout and authoritarianism

Hamida Giyasbayli

In this personal essay, Hamida reflects on their challenging journey as an activist in the South Caucasus, marked by political burnout and shrinking safe spaces amid authoritarian threats. They recount pivotal moments like crackdowns in Azerbaijan and the Nagorno-Karabakh war, which led them to seek safety in Georgia. Hamida highlights the importance of mental health, support networks, and transnational solidarity to counter regional repression, especially against LGBTQIA+ rights. Despite the obstacles, they view celebrating queer joy and resilience as powerful acts of defiance, urging continuous efforts to protect and expand safe spaces for a hopeful future.

[INTERVIEW] Building Community and Fostering Care Amidst Oppression and War: Activism and Resistance in the South Caucasus

Narine Khachatryan

Feminist activists Milena Abrahamyan and Gaby Giyasbayli discuss their experiences in South Caucasus activism, highlighting the personal and collective challenges of working within a region shaped by war, authoritarianism, and limited civic space. With over a decade in conflict transformation and community healing, they share insights on resilience, community care, and creating spaces for connection amid oppression. They also discuss their roles as facilitators at CommsLabs, an Astraea Foundation initiative that gathers activists, healers, and technologists from the Global South and East to address digital and physical security.

[interview] Advocating for Visibility: Zhanar Sekerbayeva on LGBTQIA+ and Feminist Activism, and the Fight for Equality in Central Asia

Narine Khachatryan

Zhanar Sekerbayeva, feminist and LGBTQIA+ activist from Kazakhstan, co-founded the Kazakhstan Feminist Initiative "Feminita" in 2014 to advocate for the rights of LGBTQIA+ women, disabled women, and sex workers in Central Asia. In her interview with GenderIT, she discusses the challenges and successes of her activism, emphasizing the need for visibility and strategic resilience. She also highlights her participation in CommsLabs, an Astraea Foundation initiative that convenes activists, healers, and technologists from the Global South and East to enhance digital and physical security.
An illustration showing several figures with pink and purple tones. Some figures are sitting or walking away, with one having long flowing hair and another wearing a backpack. We see their backs. One figure has a long braid intertwined with the transgender flag (blue, pink, and white) that flows across the bottom of the image. The background features abstract swirling clouds in a light blue sky, evoking a sense of movement and emotion, symbolizing themes of departure, grief, and solidarity.

Orpheuses: Queer Struggles and Resilience in Georgia

Salome Zhvania

This illustration shows a mix of emotions—grief, anger, at times hopelessness, reflecting the pain of watching people leave, seeing only their backs as they go, while mourning the impact of violence on LGBTQIA+ community.

[Russian] Феминистское шествие к переменам: развивающееся значение Международного женского дня в Азербайджане

Khayyam Namazov

[Russian] Жизни квир-людей в Таджикистане

Anonymous (not verified)

[Russian] Когда исчезают безопасные пространства

Hamida Giyasbayli
  • 345 views