Spring has cautiously arrived in Armenia.

Today I was speaking with one of my colleagues about the new labor code being proposed in the parliament, and during our discussions, we turned our attention to the anti-discrimination clause in the labor code. The clause, modeled after that of many European countries, prohibits discrimination based on sex, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and creed. My colleagues, who are by all standards progressive individuals, thought of this as a major step forward for Armenia. Others, however, are not of the same mind. Most people have been complaining that the clause, particularly the sexual orientation component, does not speak to the cultural values of the country.

Regardless of what one thinks of the issue—and I hope most are in agreement with my colleagues—I realized (don’t know why I hadn’t before) that there is a silent, very silent, collective in Armenia that does have very progressive ideas based on the principle of common welfare and equality, but unfortunately their voices are either never raised, or they’re never included in the rhetoric of the boisterous few, including the politicos, public figures, and the clergy, who don’t always reflect the value system of all Armenians, but rather prescribe a value system of sorts for all Armenians.

With spring comes rebirth, and it is encouraging to see the birth of ideas, or even the rise of the voices of progress from the ashes of winter—the winter of ideas, ideas of yesteryear.

Here’s to a spring of renewal.

If you're interested in the labor code, here's a link to the new website of the National Assembly www.parliament.am