Ardashes "Ardy" Kassakhian (Armenian: Արտաշէս Քասախեան) is an American-Armenian politician who is a Councilmember and former mayor of Glendale, California.

[citation needed] In response to the 2022 blockade of the Republic of Artsakh, Kassakhian wrote a letter to Joe Biden, stating “I am extremely disappointed by the administration’s failure to hold Azerbaijan accountable for these flagrant human rights violations, and the continued waiver of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act,” wrote Kassakhian.

“In continuing to supply Azerbaijan with U.S. military assistance – amidst verifiable reports of war crimes and egregious human rights abuses – we reward Azerbaijan’s aggression, and risk emboldening and enabling this type of conduct.” [8] At GALAS LGBTQ+ Armenian Society's June 2022 Queernissage marketplace in Studio City, Los Angeles, Kassakhian stated "If someone’s going to threaten this group of people, I’m going stand there with them and make sure I’m there and present and show myself as a mayor of a large Armenian community — saying that I am here to serve every Armenian.

"[9] Kassakhian attended a December 2022 candlelight vigil hosted by glendaleOUT to mourn and remember LGBTQ+ deaths.

The vigil raised funds for the Transgender Law Center and Pink Armenia.