LGBT community wants to be aware of their rights

“Pink” human rights defender NGO provides legal assistance that includes:

• Consultation,
• Preparation of necessary documents;
• Legal representation, including in police and courts.

Legal support is free and is provided to LGBT persons, their parents, other family members, community supporters, and friends. Within the framework of legal assistance, representation in the state, local self-governing bodies, and other organizations are carried out only in cases of direct, indirect, associated offenses.

Usually, people from LGBT community seek information about their rights and get counseling about various incidents, to find out whether there has been a case of the violation of their rights. Lawyers start the process of legal representation and court case appellation procedures whenever it is confirmed that the rights of the individual have been violated due to his or her real or alleged sexual orientation and/or negative attitude to their gender identity. The lawyers are representing the interests of the applicant in court if they ask for assistance and can’t afford an attorney.

In cases where applicants don’t wish to seek court appellations, the lawyers are only giving comprehensive legal advice. In some cases, where necessary, preliminary documents are being prepared, but no court representation is provided.

As we have already informed earlier, in the first half of 2019, 24 cases of offenses accompanied by discrimination were committed.

In addition to the above-mentioned cases, the lawyers of Pink Armenia provided legal counselings for 169 cases in the first half of 2019, which did not include discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The gay, bisexual and trans individuals were mostly interested in knowing whether their sexual orientation or gender identity can be a basis for disengagement of compulsory military service or not. They were concerned that their lives and health are in danger; they feared they might be beaten, humiliated or killed.

In this case, it should be taken into account that sexual orientation or gender identity can’t be a basis for the dismissal of compulsory military service. The individuals are being dismissed from the army when they have a conclusion from the psycho-medical committee that states the person has a sexual orientation disorder.

Trans persons often ask questions about the list of documents needed for submission for renaming in the identification documents.

It is known that in the past the Civil Registry Office requested other documents that are not defined by the legislation, for example, officers previously requested from trans people to bring a reference from a psychiatrist or psychologist who would confirm their gender identity. Fortunately, this unlawful practice is no longer valid.

LGBT persons received legal counseling on property, leasing, inheritance, family issues, employment, healthcare, marriage registration, and other issues.

It is also important that parents of LGBT people also turn to the organization for legal advice. This year from January to June, three parents already received legal assistance and advice.

LGBT individuals can get free legal advice by calling the hotline 099 522 533.