Events held at the right side NGO’S safe space during march, april, and may

In March, April, and May of this year, 6 events took place in the community safe space of ​​the Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO with the financial support of the Equality Fund on health protection, mutual aid, strengthening solidarity, etc.

On the 1st of March, on the occasion of Zero Discrimination Day, where types of discrimination were discussed, focusing on discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. It was discussed how the members of the community could protect themselves from discrimination, and the necessity to include the discrimination caused by gender identity and sexual orientation in the anti-discrimination law of RA was emphasized. 13 Trans LGBIQ people and supporters participated in the meeting.

On March 6, a community meeting was held to share experiences. The meeting was attended by 8 Trans LGBIQ people and supporters who shared personal stories related to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

On April 20, a Trans LGBIQ community meeting was held during which the experience of queer people in educational institutions was discussed, and to what extent Trans LGBIQ people in the Republic of Armenia can exercise their right to receive an education. Unfortunately, due to stigma, discrimination, bullying, and psychological and other forms of violence, very often LGBTIQ people, especially trans people, are excluded from educational institutions, and are unable to obtain specialization, as a result of which they later become unemployed or excluded from various ways of life. There are no proper regulations in educational institutions to protect LGBTIQ people from these risks, and the entire burden remains on the shoulders of organizations that provide LGBTIQ people with alternative educational opportunities through courses, seminars, and academies. 10 Trans LGBT people and activists participated in this meeting.

The next meeting was on the 29 of April and was about the availability of hormone therapy in RA, with the participation of 9 Trans LGBIQ people. Today in Armenia there are no licensed trans-specific healthcare clinics and endocrinologists who can work with trans people and prescribe them appropriate hormonal medication. As a result, trans people often engage in self-medication or seek advice from endocrinologists from other countries, who, however, cannot provide a prescription to obtain the appropriate medication. Now, an electronic system of prescriptions has been introduced in RA, which will regulate the sale of drugs. In fact, as a result of that, trans people will no longer be able to purchase hormonal drugs from pharmacies, however, the Ministry of Health does not take steps to include the interests of trans people in this bill. 

On the 6th and 7th of May two community meeting discussions were held on the topic of queer people’s issues in Armenia, the first of which was attended by 10 Trans LGBIQ persons and supporters, and the second by 8. During the discussion, participants mapped the areas where LGBTIQ people face discrimination and violence and how it affects them – denying them access to education, access to health services, employment, and other rights.