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LGBTQ rights in Armenia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Status | Legal since 2003[1] |
| Military | LGBT people are not allowed to serve openly |
| Discrimination protections | No law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships | No |
| Restrictions | Same-sex marriage constitutionally banned |
| Adoption | Same-sex couples are not allowed to adopt |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Armenia face legal and social challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents, due in part to the lack of laws prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity and in part to prevailing negative attitudes about LGBT persons throughout society.
Homosexuality has been legal in Armenia since 2003.[1] However, even though it has been decriminalized, the situation of local lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) citizens has not changed substantially. Many LGBT Armenians fear being socially outcast by their friends and families, causing them to keep their sexual orientation or gender identity secret, except to a few family members and friends.[2]
Homosexuality remains a taboo topic in many parts of Armenian society. In a 2012 study, 55% of correspondents in Armenian stated that they would cease their relationship with a friend or relative if they were to come out as gay. Furthermore, this study found that 70% of Armenians find LGBT people to be "strange".[3] There is, moreover, no legal protection for LGBT persons whose human rights are frequently violated.[4][5] In 2024, ILGA-Europe ranked Armenia 46th out of 49 European countries for the protection of LGBT rights, marking progress compared to the previous year.[6]
Many LGBT individuals report fearing violence in their workplace or from their family, leading to underreporting of human rights violations and criminal offences.[7] As a result, reported incidents of discrimination, harassment, or hate crimes likely underestimate their true prevalence.
In 2011, Armenia signed the "joint statement on ending acts of violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity" at the United Nations, condemning violence and discrimination against LGBT people.[8]
- ^ a b "State-sponsored Homophobia A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults" (PDF). ILGA. May 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
- ^ Carroll, Quinn, Aengus, Sheila. "Forced Out: LGBT People in Armenia" (PDF).
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ PINK Armenia (7 December 2011). "ISSUU – Public opinion toward LGBT people in Yerevan, Gyumri and Vanadzor cities by PINK Armenia". Issuu. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
- ^ "Refworld – Armenian Gays Face Long Walk to Freedom". Refworld. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
- ^ "Hetq – News, Articles, Investigations". 20 August 2015. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
- ^ https://rainbowmap.ilga-europe.org/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Refworld – The Leader in Refugee Decision Support". Refworld. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
- ^ "Over 80 Nations Support Statement at Human Rights Council on LGBT Rights » US Mission Geneva". Geneva.usmission.gov. 22 March 2011.