Alla Parunova (Georgian: ალა პარუნოვა; born 1989 or 1990) is a Georgian feminist and queer activist.[1]
Alla Parunova | |
|---|---|
| Born | Varketili, Tbilisi |
| Education | Tbilisi State University |
| Awards | Kato Mikeladze Award (2023) |
Parunova received the Kato Mikeladze Award in 2023.[1][2]
Activism
editParunova became interested in feminism while working at a library. She was particularly inspired by one book she read, Elfriede Jelinek's novel Women as Lovers, which kickstarted her feminist analysis of her life experiences. She then began a gender studies master's degree,[3] during which she also realized how she was oppressed due to her queer and ethnic Armenian identities.[1] Her master's thesis explored "dominant discourses on sexuality" during the Brezhnev Era of the Soviet Union.[3]
Parunova became a member of the Georgian Young Greens in 2015,[3] and remained a member for 6–7 years, during which she became involved with feminist[4] and environmental activism.[1]
Early and personal life
editParunova was born in Varketili, Tbilisi, where she was raised by an Armenian-speaking family. She then studied Georgian and later, Russian, in school. As a child, she felt isolated from Georgian society, and has spoken on her experiences of assimilation.[1] She graduated from Tbilisi State University in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature.[3]
Parunova speaks four languages. She identifies as queer, and described her sexuality as "inclusive, diverse, and...in the process of constant analysis".[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f ღოღობერიძე, ხატია (2023-12-31). "Alla Parunova: Us, Queers, Are Not a Group Torn Out of the Society, We Are a Part of It". Aprili Media (in Georgian). Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ ფუტკარაძე, შოთა (2024-01-05). "Women's Fund in Georgia – Review of December, 2023". Aprili Media (in Georgian). Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ a b c d "Alla Parunova | Feminism and Gender Democracy". feminism-boell.org. 2016-03-10. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ "Reclaiming Georgia's Feminist Heritage". Civil Georgia. 2018-03-26. Retrieved 2024-07-13.