Armenia

Same-sex relations are legal in Armenia, but there are no explicit legal protections for the human rights of LGBTIQ people. Marriage and civil unions are not legal, and government officials and the general public often target LGBTIQ Armenians. Law enforcement officers assault, arbitrarily arrest, and detain LGBTIQ individuals, especially trans women. LGBTIQ activists have been subject to mob violence, and LGBTIQ public events have not been given adequate protection. The LGBTIQ community is seen as a threat to “traditional” Armenian culture and “family values,” contributing to the negative public opinion of LGBTIQ people. Politicians use anti-LGBTIQ hate speech and use LGBTIQ issues as political tools. LGBTIQ visibility and acceptance remain low. In May 2022, a historic court ruling found that two trans people and a gay man were discriminated against based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. The judgment proved to be an important milestone for the LGBTIQ community in the country.