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Jirair Ratevosian, a Democratic candidate in the race to succeed Adam Schiff in Congress, told his Instagram followers Monday about an incident this past weekend where he was harangued for being gay and Armenian.
“My identity was attacked,” Ratevosian says.
He tells viewers that he was at a booth at Burbank Pride when a “gentleman in a Trump t-shirt” approached to tell him “Gay Armenians can’t exist, you should be ashamed of yourself.”
“I was disgusted,” Ratevosian says. “He tried to erase my existence at a time when Armenian existence is actually hanging by a thread,” referring to the conflict in Artsakh.
“I’m sick and tired of trans kids dying on our streets and I’m sick and tired of bigots trying to erase my identity,” he says as the confessional video veers into campaign ad territory. “The 30th congressional district is one of the most diverse, and it deserves a diverse candidate who has the experience not only to deliver results but someone who can fight for all communities, no matter who disagrees.”
Read our interview with the candidate this weekend on WEHOville.com.
this guys a cry baby and a snowflake
You incompetent, virtue signaling buffoon. There are real people, including children, actually being persecuted and murdered on the streets of Artsakh AS WE SPEAK because of what and who they are: Christian Armenians… and YOU have the audacity to cry victim because “someone” wearing a Trump shirt said some mean things to you about your IDENTITY? and then you use Artsakh as your reason for “standing up”? No one is trying to erase your identity sweetheart. You are NOT a victim. You are running for office and are using every dirty play in the playbook to garner sympathy and votes.… Read more »
Jesse Smollett already tried this..
WeHoans, if you even consider voting for some unknown Democrat who’s claiming that “Mr. White Man is bad” as his platform, then you deserve everything you get. This b.s. about “a man in a Trump shirt” saying this ridiculous line in nonsense. By the way, white men have much better things to do with their time than go around bothering some unknown nobody. I would vote for Trump a thousand times before even considering this guy.
Boo hoo. You are not qualified for public office.
Lol this didn’t happen.
Victims running for political office to represent victims? Children may be victims however if you are an adult, get with the program and navigate. Take responsibility!
This reads like a sad Hail Mary pass attempt at bringing attention to a Jirair-who? campaign. Thin-skinned candidates relying on identity politics will never get my vote. Add this one to the waste bin that already includes Sepi Shyne. Time to winnow this list down to 2-3 serious candidates focused on serious policy issues.
“Thin-skinned candidates relying on identity politics will never get my vote.”
Interesting you chose to praise Duran’s profile about his Hispanic heritage while simultaneously attempting to disparage Jirair for sharing what happened to him because of his Armenian heritage.
A new low for you, Alan. Please do better.
Um, you, of all people, are telling others to “do better”? That’s hilarious.
Let’s have some debates so we can decide who to winnow.
That’s rich. One of the two most ardent practitioners of anonymity is encouraging debates. Unmask and learn what adult debate is all about. At least the other one drops repeated hints on his real identity as a seat on the dais.
The world is full of nut jobs. Mama always said, Sticks and stones…
I’ll vote for the experienced representative that represents me, a white gay guy. Is that permissable?
We’re not allowed an identity.
I doubt it.
Off on the wrong foot. Seems as though you elected not to engage with this gentleman on a fruitful basis when he criticized Armenians. A missed opportunity.