You Belong Here
AMOT CHE is a podcast series designed by and for the LGBTQ+ Armenian community of Los Angeles County. Hosted by Lara Vanian-Green of Armenian Enough and sponsored by LACDMH, this 8-part series delves into mental health topics and features stories, advice, and resources from local activists, professionals, educators, and changemakers.
Thank you for joining us at AMOT CHE PRIDE 2026!
We had 129 people join us on Saturday June 13, 2026 for an evening of LGBTQ+ Armenian joy! The evening included free falafel meals, Armenian coffee, Ejanish Kid's Reading Hour, an Armenian Folk Dance workshop, a community resource fair, and a special performance by "Cher!" The evening was a reminder of the importance of in-person connection for our community, and we look forward to future events that bring our community together!
Looking for Captioning Services? Read this First!
All of our episodes are listed below and have audio and video options.
For Spotify, you have the option to access audio and video options of the episodes. The video option will appear on the right side of the screen and have auto-generated captions in English.
For Youtube, all videos include Armenian captions in the video. For captions in other languages, you will need to click on the "Episode X - YouTube" button below each featured video. This will direct you to the YouTube webpage for the epsiode. There you have the option to select captioning in your preferred language by clicking "cc" at the bottom of the video frame. The captions will automatically appear over the Armenian captions, but you can click and hold down on the generated captions and drag them to other areas within the video frame. In addition, you can click on the "more" button in the video description box under the video, which will present a "see Transcript" button. When clicked on, the live transcript for the videos will be automatically appear on the right side of the video.
If you have any questions or concerns, scroll down to "Contact Us" and send us a message. We are always open to feedback and want to ensure that this series is accessible, affirming, and empowering for all community members!
Episodes (Audio + Video)
Meet Our Host & Guests
Lara Vanian Green is a writer, storyteller, and community advocate dedicated to exploring identity, culture, and belonging within the Armenian diaspora. She is the creator and host of the podcast Armenian Enough, where she has spent years facilitating thoughtful conversations on topics ranging from heritage and family to LGBTQ+ inclusion, race, faith, and social justice. Through her work, Lara has helped create space for nuanced and often underrepresented Armenian voices, encouraging listeners to embrace the full complexity of their identities. She also serves as the host of the AMOT CHE LGBTQ+ Armenian Podcast Series, highlighting the experiences, resilience, and contributions of LGBTQ+ Armenians and allies. Known for her warmth, curiosity, and commitment to authentic dialogue, Lara continues to foster connection and understanding across communities through storytelling and media.
Seta Haig, LMFT
(she/her)
I am a therapist who is passionate about lowering stigma in our Armenian community about mental health issues and getting help. I have a private practice. I am also the Assistant Program Director of the Adult program at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services. I have been cofacilitating the Soorj Sessions for GALAS for the past few years. This experience has humbled me and taught me a lot as well.
Jean Donabedian
MA, AMFT/APCC
(he/they)
My work is grounded in somatic and trauma-informed modalities, including Brainspotting and parts work, all through a culturally sensitive lens. I pay close attention to how experiences live in the body and nervous system, while honoring the cultural, familial, and intergenerational contexts that shape identity and coping.
Vic Gerami
(he/him)
Vic Gerami is an award-winning journalist, editor of The Blunt Post, and documentary filmmaker whose work focuses on cultural awareness, human rights, and investigative storytelling. He is also the founder and chair of the Truth And Accountability League (TAAL), a nonprofit org dedicated to civic engagement, combating disinformation, and advancing cross-cultural understanding thru advocacy/educational initiatives.
Shant Jaltorossian
(he/him)
Shant Jaltorossian is a paralegal and activist based in Glendale, California. As an advocate, he has worked at the local, state and federal levels of government to protect and advance civil rights. He has previously served on the Board of Directors of GALAS LGBTQ+ Armenian Society and currently serves on the Los Angeles County Regional Committee of the Armenian Assembly of America.
Dr. Taline Andonian, LCP (she/her)
I am a licensed clinical psychologist and Founder of Resonance Center for Psychotherapy & Healing Arts, specializing in trauma recovery and holistic healing. As a first-generation Armenian American and descendant of Armenian Genocide survivors, I bring a culturally responsive approach that supports healing, resilience, and authentic self-expression.
Natalene Barbarian, LMFT, CST (she/her)
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Sex Therapist helping individuals and couples navigate sex, connection, and the conversations most people avoid. I’m passionate about helping you feel more confident in your relationships, deepen intimacy, and talk about sex without shame.
Anoush Ellah, Drag Artist (she/they)
Fusing culture, Drag and gender with an unapologetic flair, Anoush Ellah is the one and only Armenian pop princess — a title that has naturally earned her the moniker “the hottest hairiest girl in the world.” A Jill of all trades, Anoush is best known for HOEBIBI, Canada's premiere Middle Eastern/SWANA Drag show, and The Yalla Barra Extravaganza, Pride Toronto’s official MENA celebrations.
Armen Youssefians, LMFT (he/him)
Armen was born in Tehran, Iran and moved to Glendale with his parents and younger brother at the age of 5. Armen graduated from USC in 2009 and has been practicing as a LMFT since 2012. Armen has worked in the nonprofit mental health field and primarily provides therapy to adults, families, and young people in California through his private practice.
VERA! / Drag King
(they/them)
VERA! is an Armenian-American nonbinary drag king. They are the co-host of the Rebel Kings of Oakland, oldest drag king troupe on the West Coast; co-host of Save Her! environmental drag show with Pattie Gonia; Storyteller with Drag Story Hour Bay Area; and board member of Oaklash Bay Area Drag Festival.
Armen Menechyan
(he/him)
Armen Menechyan is a Los Angeles based yoga teacher with a deep interest in writing, storytelling, and cooking. A former middle school educator, his current path is rooted in a commitment to truth. He values the organic process of embodied inquiry, contemplation, and community care—trusting that meaningful transformation unfolds through presence, curiosity, and connection.
Hasmig Minassian
(she/her)
Hasmig Minassian is an Armenian-American history teacher at Berkeley High School in Berkeley, California. She immigrated to the United States with her family from Beirut, Lebanon in 1978. She has proudly travelled to Armenia twice--both times with her son, Sevan, and once with her wife, Susi.
Taline Arsenian
(she/her)
Taline promotes strong working conditions for educators and supportive learning environments for students. She advocates for equity and inclusion so that all students and staff feel welcomed and valued. She also helped advance Armenian Genocide education nationwide, which led the National Education Association to publish an article on teaching Armenian Genocide.
ZARI ESAIAN
(she/her)
46 year old sober, queer armenian! I have a Bipolar 2 diagnosis that I successfully manage with medication. I’m a very proud (mixed) Armenian.
Bennett Alegazian
(he/she/they)
Bennett is an Armenian-American Transdisciplinary artist, performer, and creative based in Los Angeles. His work explores identity, healing, and embodiment through art, performance, and storytelling. He brings a reflective, lived-experience perspective to conversations around culture, and recovery.
Taleen Voskuni
(she/her)
Taleen Voskuni is an Armenian-American bestselling author of three romcoms published by Penguin Random House, including Sorry, Bro. She strives to bring positive Armenian queer representation to readers' bookshelves. Beyond writing rom-coms, she spends her free time cultivating her kids, her garden, and her dark chocolate addiction.
Rudy Akbarian
(he/him)
Rudy is a descendant of an Armenian Genocide survivor. He has been an active member of the LGBTQ+ community for over 20 years. Rudy also served in the military for more than six years and began his transition in 2013. Originally from Los Angeles, he later relocated to Portland, Oregon, where he now resides with his wife and their two cats.
Arev Tovmasyan
(he/they)
Arev Tovmasyan is a trans, refugee & immigrant artist and multimedia creative of Artsakhtsi Armenian, Iranian, and Soviet Jewish descent. With a focus on political satire, he is a drag king on stage known as Baba Gaynush, as well as the artist behind Mulberry Jaan, and an event producer located in the PNW area.
Lillian Avedian
(she/her)
Lillian Avedian is the education reporter at the Nashville Banner. Her writing is published in Democracy in Exile, the Los Angeles Review of Books, the Washington Post, the Armenian Weekly, the Associated Press, Azad Archives and more.
"AMOT CHE makes me feel less alone in my experience as a queer Armenian."
"I free proud to know there are so many of us around the world! Thank you AMOT CHE!"
"Getting to see how big and diverse the queer Armenian community is, and hearing things named that I had never been able to articulate."
Our Work
AMOT CHE is designed to be more than a podcast... it's a resource to empower LGBTQ+ Armenians!
Glendale Declares June as Pride Month!
On June 23, 2026, Lara joined community members at the Glendale City Council Meeting to declare June as Pride Month in Glendale. Following the GUSD controversy in 2023, this statement made it clear that LGBTQ+ Armenian belong here.
United for a Common Cause
There are many organizations in Los Angeles County dedicated to LGBTQ+ Armenians, and we all work together to support our community's mental health. Click on the logos below to visit each organization's website.
