Celebrating Pride Month Together

On June 3, 2025, RighT Side NGO organized a vibrant community event titled “Celebrating Pride Month Together”, bringing together over 50 members of the LGBTIQ+ community, allies, as well as representatives from various civil society organizations and partner institutions in Armenia.

The event officially opened with welcoming remarks by Lilit Martirosyan, President of RighT Side NGO, who emphasized the importance of unity, community power, and transnational solidarity in the ongoing struggle for equality and dignity.

The event featured two panel discussions that highlighted key challenges, opportunities, and the power of collaboration within the LGBTIQ+ movement.

In the first panel, representatives from RighT Side NGO, PINK Human Rights Defender NGO, Queer Sista Platform, the Global Foundation for Trans Rights Protection, and the Trans National Coalition shared their insights on the current state of LGBTIQ+ advocacy, the barriers to effective cooperation, and the importance of working together across organizations to support the community.

The second panel included LGBTIQ+ refugees who have relocated to Armenia from Russia. They spoke about the growing legal repression they face under new Russian legislation targeting LGBTIQ+ individuals, the impact of war, and the difficulties of integrating into a new environment while continuing to fight for their rights.

The event concluded with a community-led awards ceremony based on open voting. The following individuals were honored in six categories:

• Bridge Builder Award – Kosulia Liona Vladimirovna
• Leadership Award – Kelly Sergey Hovhannisyan
• Advocacy Award – Monika Sarkisyan
• Public Figure Award – Diana Ghzroyan
• Activist of the Year Award – Egi Aleksandruni
• Social Media Award – Dila Hovhanisyan

The day ended with an open Q&A and informal networking session that fostered solidarity, recognition, and collective joy. It was a powerful moment to uplift one another’s efforts, spark new partnerships, and build stronger ties between LGBTIQ+ communities in Armenia and beyond.

Happy and proud Pride Month to all of us!