Current Legislation Does Not Prohibit Anyone from Freely Choosing Their Partner, Says MP

The National Assembly continues to discuss a bill proposed by female MPs from the ruling party, which bans the verification of virginity and broadens the definition of family, including the concepts of partner and significant other.

Geham Nazaryan, an MP from the 'Armenia' faction, inquired why there is no specification regarding who qualifies as a partner. "Unfortunately, we live in a time where there are well-known alternative partners. I suggest it be clearly stated that a partner can be of either male or female gender, as we are already stepping toward another phase," Nazaryan said.

Co-author of the bill, Zarouhi Batoyan, responded that they are not authorized to determine whom individuals choose as their partners. "Whoever they choose, it is prohibited to commit violence. We are not going to set any discrimination; moreover, I hope that soon the government will present an equality law that prohibits discrimination on all grounds," said the MP.

Nazaryan remarked that if a person is free to choose a partner of the same sex, they will no longer be under their protection. "That is already another matter, I won't specify what that is in words," he added. Batoyan countered that the current legislation and Constitution does not prohibit anyone from freely choosing their partner.