Community meetings on Legal Gender Recognition

In June 2025, Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO organized three community meetings with the participation of 41 representatives of the trans and LGBIQ+ community. The meetings took place in the organization’s safe space, creating a secure environment for open dialogue and mutual support.

The primary goal of the meetings was to present and discuss the organization’s policy paper titled “How to Make the Process of Changing Gender Marker More Rights-Based and Safe for Trans People”, which focuses on the issue of legal gender recognition in Armenia. The paper reflects years of the organization’s work, based on two regional studies, strategic litigation efforts, and regional collaboration.

During the meetings, participants were introduced to the current legal challenges, and the resulting human rights violations stemming from the lack of legal gender recognition mechanisms and the policy’s key recommendations. Activists expressed interest in further developing their advocacy skills and applying them in their work with government agencies, decision-makers, and other stakeholders.

The meetings also served as an important platform for fostering community solidarity and sharing experiences in overcoming legal barriers. Participants discussed ways to unite and work together to promote justice and equality.

The meetings were made possible with the financial support of the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) and the Government of Sweden.
The Government of Sweden and WRC are not responsible for the content, views, and interpretations expressed herein.

Right Side NGO will continue to organize such meetings regularly as a crucial tool in the struggle for gender justice and community empowerment.