What we know about the detention case of Ali Malikov and Parvin Alekberova [Updating]
28Nov

What we know about the detention case of Ali Malikov and Parvin Alekberova [Updating]

We are deeply concerned about the health and well-being of our friends! THEY NEED YOU to follow the case, share widely about this with your contacts in Istanbul, your local media, and your contacts in international human rights organizations #AliveParvinSerbestBırakılsın […]

Courage in Action: Queer Eye on Azerbaijan’s 2024 Presidential Election
01Oct

Courage in Action: Queer Eye on Azerbaijan’s 2024 Presidential Election

With this article, we aim to take our readers back to that remarkable day when 14 LGBTI+s stood with courage, making a monumental step for queer representation in Azerbaijan’s electoral process. On the 7th of February 2024, snap presidential elections […]

New Academic Year – What You Should Know

As we kick off a new academic year, we wish everyone a successful and productive term ahead. For LGBTI+ students, especially those starting their first year, we recognize that university life can sometimes present unique challenges. That’s why we want […]

#BakuPride2024: No one must be left behind!
23Jun

#BakuPride2024: No one must be left behind!

As we mark Pride Month, LGBTQI+ communities worldwide celebrate the achievements and resilience of our movements while recognizing the ongoing challenges our communities face.  Despite the challenges of these times when our existence is more at risk, we choose to […]

Welcome to #IDAHOBIT2024Baku Exhbitions 
15May

Welcome to #IDAHOBIT2024Baku Exhbitions 

The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) is a global occasion that highlights the importance of addressing discrimination and promoting equality for the LGBTI+ community. Despite the challenges of these times, we choose to remain hopeful. Continuing the […]

UN Member States call on Azerbaijan to protect the rights and freedoms of LGBTI+s
07Dec

UN Member States call on Azerbaijan to protect the rights and freedoms of LGBTI+s

On November 14, 2023, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council held its fourth periodic assessment of the human rights situation in Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani delegation was led by Samir Sharifov, Deputy Minister of Foreign […]

Queers in Baku are blackmailed, sexually abused, and extorted by police after the birthday party
01Aug

Queers in Baku are blackmailed, sexually abused, and extorted by police after the birthday party

On the 26th of July 2023, the police raided a birthday celebration, primarily a group of individuals who identified as queer, taking all to the Yasamal district 26th police station. Subsequently, they were subjected to forced medical examinations under the […]

Pride Month Baku 2023: Our Fight is Just!
23Jun

Pride Month Baku 2023: Our Fight is Just!

As we mark Pride Month in June, this month, LGBTQI+ communities worldwide celebrate the achievements and resilience in our movements, while recognizing the ongoing challenges our communities face. Nafas stands in solidarity with the LGBTQI+ community globally and we reaffirm […]

PACE Rapporteur: Azerbaijani police must stop harassing LGBTI people and activists
01Jun

PACE Rapporteur: Azerbaijani police must stop harassing LGBTI people and activists

“I am deeply concerned by new reports that LGBTI people and activists defending their rights in Azerbaijan have again been targeted by police officers,” said Christophe Lacroix (Belgium, SOC), General Rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe […]

Javid Nabiyev shares alarming mistreatment by Azerbaijani police
25May

Javid Nabiyev shares alarming mistreatment by Azerbaijani police

Javid Nabiyev, an LGBTQI+ activist has revealed a harrowing account of mistreatment and abuse endured at the hands of the Azerbaijani police on his Instagram post. He spoke out about his personal experiences of discrimination and violence, shedding light on […]

LGBTI+ activists detained in Baku faced accusations of administrative offences
24May

LGBTI+ activists detained in Baku faced accusations of administrative offences

After the detention of LGBTI+ human rights defenders in front of the 37th Police Department in Baku, new information about their legal situation has been released. According to the information provided by journalist Nurlan Libre, Javid Nabiyev, Ali Malikov and […]

LGBTI+ activist details mistreatment and trauma
24May

LGBTI+ activist details mistreatment and trauma

LGBTI+ activist, Ali Malikov who was recently detained in Baku, Azerbaijan, has taken to social media to sharedistressing details about the treatment endured during their detention. Malikov, who was amongst the activists protestingthe arrests of trans community members, described a […]

Community members protest against the arrests of trans community members
23May

Community members protest against the arrests of trans community members

Today, on May 23, LGBTQI+ activists gathered to protest against the recent arrests of a trans community members. On May 22, videos circulated on social media showing confrontations between the police and three trans individuals in Baku’s Xetai district. The […]

IDAHOBIT – International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia
17May

IDAHOBIT – International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia celebrates the theme: “Together Always: United in Diversity“. In recognition of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on May 17th, the global LGBTI+ community comes together under this […]

Facing the State: Police Departments and LGBTQ+s
17May

Facing the State: Police Departments and LGBTQ+s

“Facing the State: Police Departments and LGBTQ+s” film presentation by Nafas LGBTI Azerbaijan Alliance concluded the May 17 – IDAHOBIT Week with events that reflect the reality in the country. As part of our event, a screening of the film, […]

IDAHOBIT Week 2023 Baku: What is ahead?
11May

IDAHOBIT Week 2023 Baku: What is ahead?

17th May is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. On this global day, as LGBTQI+s, we stand against any targeting of our marginalized identities based on gender identity, sexual orientation, class, and other forms of discrimination. On this […]

IDAHOT+ Forum 2023
11May

IDAHOT+ Forum 2023

Today, the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, is hosting the European States’ LGBTQI+ Network’s (EPFN) IDAHOT+ Forum. The IDAHOT+ Forum is organised by the Icelandic Government with the support of the Council of Europe’s SOGI Unit and the 2023 Council of […]

Rainbow Map and Index 2023
11May

Rainbow Map and Index 2023

For over a decade, ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map and Index has been a crucial tool for benchmarking LGBTQI+ rights across Europe. In the present edition, Malta continues to hold the number one spot, while Azerbaijan ranks last with a score of […]

Twin Brothers Representing Azerbaijan at Eurovision Face Homophobic Backlash on Social Media
08May

Twin Brothers Representing Azerbaijan at Eurovision Face Homophobic Backlash on Social Media

Tural and Turan, twin brothers representing Azerbaijan at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, have faced homophobic backlash from people in Azerbaijan on social media due to their unique style. Despite the negativity, TuralTuranX’s stylist expressed confidence in their style choices, […]

Survey: Needs Assessment for Mental Health Camp
03May

Survey: Needs Assessment for Mental Health Camp

Nafas LGBTI Azerbaijan Alliance is inviting community members to help plan a mental health focused summer camp. The camp aims to create a safe and inclusive environment where LGBTQI+s can comfortably discuss their mental health issues and receive necessary support. […]

Queer Art Festival Baku Announces Open Call for Artists
03May

Queer Art Festival Baku Announces Open Call for Artists

Queer Art Festival Baku 2023 has announced an open call for the art festival of the year and invites local visual artists to participate in a group exhibition with their creative works. The festival is specifically targeting trans, non-binary, gender-diverse, […]

Nafas organised training on queer journalism
30Apr

Nafas organised training on queer journalism

Nafas Azerbaijan Alliance for LGBTI organised a one-day training program called “Queer Journalism” related to article writing. During the training, theoretical knowledge on storytelling was shared with the participants, and practical exercises related to preparing articles were conducted. The training […]

May 1 – Labour Day
30Apr

May 1 – Labour Day

May 1 – Labour Day Queerphobia divides the class! As the Nafas LGBTI Azerbaijan Alliance, we join the global celebration of International Workers’ Day on May 1st, and we reaffirm our commitment to the struggle for the rights and dignity […]

Solidarity with LBTQI+ women | Lesbian Visibility Week
24Apr

Solidarity with LBTQI+ women | Lesbian Visibility Week

As the world celebrates Lesbian Visibility Week, Nafas LGBTI Azerbaijan Alliance joins the global community in showing solidarity with LBTQI+ women and non-binary people. This week aims to celebrate lesbians and raise awareness of the challenges faced by LBTQI+ women, […]

Twitter Censors Terms Associated with LGBTQI+

atform, sparking concerns among users and activists. On Saturday, 1 April, Twitter users noticed that tweet previews in direct messages (DMs) were not showing up for tweets containing words such as “trans”, “LGBT”, “LGBT+” and “BLM” (Black Lives Matter). Instead, […]

European Parliament Passes Resolution on EU-Azerbaijan Relations, Highlights LGBTQI+ Rights

The European Parliament has passed a resolution on EU-Azerbaijan relations, specifically emphasising the importance of human rights, including those of LGBTQI+ citizens. The resolution refers to several international conventions, including the European Convention on Human Rights, the International Covenant on […]

Call for workshop on labour rights

“My Labour Rights” announces an open call for participation. As it is stated in Article 35 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, everyone has the right to work under safe and secure conditions without discrimination. But how does […]

Feminist Library | Fem-Utopia
28Mar

Feminist Library | Fem-Utopia

Fem-Utopia has recommended a list of books on gender-based violence that are available to read for free. The initiative is inviting everyone who is interested in learning more about gender-based violence and women’s rights to visit their feminist library at […]

Nafas LGBTI Azerbaijan Alliance Holds First Meeting with Volunteers

Nafas LGBTI Azerbaijan Alliance held its first meeting with volunteers on March 14th, marking an important milestone in the organisation’s mission to promote LGBTI+ rights in Azerbaijan. The meeting served as an introduction for the volunteers to each other and […]

Kalben Hangs Trans Pride Flag at Baku Concert, Sends Message of Inclusivity

Kalben – a well-known singer from Türkiye had the opportunity to visit Baku, Azerbaijan for the first time in her career. The talented musician revealed how it took her five albums before she finally made it to the city. She […]

Survey on Situation of Discrimination, Violence, and other Violations of Rights against LGBTIQ+ Citizens

A survey has been launched to investigate the situation of discrimination, violence, and other violations of rights against LGBTIQ+ citizens based on their gender identity and sexual orientation. The survey aims to collect data that can be used to develop […]

Panel Discussion Explores Intersection of Feminist and LGBTQI+ Mobilisation

Fighting Against Exploitative Power and Conservatism Questioning the Complementarity of the Movements Inclusivity of the Local Feminist Movement Proposals for Effective Collaboration On March 9th, the Baku Community Space hosted a panel discussion on the intersection of feminist and LGBTQI+ […]

Feminists Pushed by Police During March for Women’s Rights in Azerbaijan
09Mar

Feminists Pushed by Police During March for Women’s Rights in Azerbaijan

During the recent march for women’s rights in Azerbaijan, feminists and LGBTI+s were pushed by the police, causing some protestors’ conditions to worsen. Witnesses reported that the police crowd was pushing and shoving the protesters, and the feminists were caught […]

“8 March – We Want to Live”

The feminist community in Azerbaijan has announced plans to hold a march “8 Marş – Yaşamaq İsrəyirik” – “8 March – We Want to Live” on March 8, in honour of International Women’s Day. The march comes at a time […]

Feminists Answered to FAQs | Video

The “8 March – We Want to Live” march, organised by feminists in Azerbaijan, is set to take place on March 8th, International Women’s Day. This march has been an annual event for the past five years and aims to […]

“Queers are Awake and, United with Feminists We Stand”

A poster that reads “Kuirlər Oyaqdır, Feminist Hərəkata Dayaqdır” was hung over a bridge located in Baku’s Central Park. The poster, which translates to “Queers are Awake and, United with Feminists We Stand,” has garnered attention and pointed out a […]

Feminist Community Marches for Women’s Rights and Safety in Azerbaijan

Feminist Community Marches for Women’s Rights and Safety in Azerbaijan Dozens Take to the Streets Demanding Action Against Gender-Based Violence Rising Violence Against Women and Political Retaliation Sparks Outrage March Organisers Call for Implementation of Policies and Conventions Protesters Vow […]

ILGA-Europe: Deadliest Increase in Violence against LGBTQI+s
21Feb

ILGA-Europe: Deadliest Increase in Violence against LGBTQI+s

“This year, we have seen violence become more and more planned and deadly, making LGBTI people feel unsafe in countries across Europe.” LGBTQI+ umbrella organisation, ILGA-Europe, announced that in 2022, hatred against LGBTQI+ across the region has reached the stage […]

Trans Woman was Sexually Harassed in Baku

Karmen, a 19-year-old trans woman, was sexually harassed on August 11 in the Baku metro. According to the victim, the metro was busy, so she decided to get on the next one after leaving several trains. Right after getting on […]

19-year-old bisexual woman receives death threats

Gunay, 19-year-old bisexual woman was threatened with death by her father. After her father found out that she was bisexual, she was and threatened with death by him. On July 4, the victim contacted LGBTI+ rights activist Ali Malikov. Together, […]

“Sun to My Body” Film Screening

Minority Azerbaijan invites you to the second presentation of the film “Sun to my body” – “Bədənimə günəş”. The feature film tells the story of a lesbian couple, a trans woman longing for a family, and a gay boy who […]

15-year-old Teenager Subjected to Violence by her Family

15-year-old teenager is subjected to violence by her family and put under house arrest in Baku. The teenager, who did not want to be named, said that she ran away from home a week ago as her family put him […]

LGBTI+s, Women and Cities
12Jan

LGBTI+s, Women and Cities

Nafas LGBTI Azerbaijan Alliance introduces the topic of “LGBTI + s, Women and the Cities” in our third podcast record of the Queer-Feminist series. This time, our guests Nigar and Turana answered the questions like: “Why is urban planning important […]