“Being a transgender woman, I have constantly received death threats and I have been a subject to hate crimes because of my gender identity and contribution to establishing equal rights in my country. I am not the only one. Trans people in Armenia are subject to hatred, violence, crimes and discrimination that is why I strive for ensuring the well-being, protection and equality of the trans community in Armenia by achieving social-cultural and legal changes through cooperation with state bodies, civil society and international organizations. I try to build a safe and secure place for the transgender community in Armenia where equality and diversity will be respected.”

Lilit Martirosyan is the Founder and current President of the Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO, which is a community-based, democratic, human rights defender organisation founded in January 2016 by a number of trans activists in Armenia. Her education and experience include a wide knowledge of social, cultural and economic human rights issues that are currently affecting Trans people. Being a Transgender rights activist, she has been working to promote equal rights for all regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression since 2009 by engaging in civic activism not only in Armenia but also abroad.

Twitter: @lilit_mart