Armenia has been politically free of harsh Soviet domination for twenty years but human rights and attitudes have been slow in changing especially regarding sexual minorities. Although homosexuality has been legal in since 2003 the situation for local lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender citizens has resisted change in society and at home.
Since 2003, homosexuality is legal in Armenia. Until 2003 the legislation of Armenia followed the corresponding Section 121 from the Former Soviet Union, which only specifically criminalized anal intercourse between men. Lesbian and non-penetrative gay sex between consenting adults was not explicitly mentioned in the law as being a criminal offense. The specific article dates back to 1936, and the maximum penalty was 5 years. There were 7 prosecutions in 1996 and 4 in 1997 under this law (Amnesty International 1999 Report on Armenia); and 4 in 1999.
Armenia is the only country remaining from 3,000 year old maps of Anatolia. It became the world’s first Christian country more than 1,700 years ago in 301 AD, and has a large Diaspora all over the world. As a former Soviet republic lying in the Caucasus region, straddling Asia and Europe, Armenia has an ancient