Homosexuality in Albania

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Gay Pride in Tirana in 2018

Homosexuality is legal in Albania , but is rarely discussed publicly in society and is also subject to social taboos.

legality

Homosexuality has been legal in Albania since 1995 . The Law to Legalize and Repeal Article 137 of the Albanian Criminal Code was passed by the Albanian Parliament on January 20, 1995 . The age of consent is uniformly 14 years.

Anti-discrimination laws

An anti-discrimination law to protect sexual orientation has existed since 2010 . As a candidate for EU membership, Albania had to implement the European anti-discrimination rules accordingly in order to become a member of the European Union . European law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in the areas of employment, education, property, health care and access to goods and services.

The law is more commonly referred to as a paper tiger by representatives of gay organizations.

Recognition of same-sex couples

Same-sex marriage and registered partnership are not legally permitted in Albania . In July 2009, the Albanian government of Sali Berisha announced a bill on same-sex marriage, which was not implemented by parliament because of opposition in society - in particular because of the loud criticism from representatives of Muslim, Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant religious communities .

The current socialist government under Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that it will support a new registered partnership initiative for same-sex couples.

Social situation

Gay Pride parade 2016 in Tirana

There is no openly gay community in Albania. Due to the low population of the country and the social mood, even in the capital Tirana no meeting places such as gay bars or lesbian bars have developed. Homosexuals mostly meet privately and organize themselves via Facebook .

Xheni Karaj Kristi Pinderi
Xheni Karaj
Kristi Pinderi

A Gay Pride demonstration planned for the first time in 2012 had to be canceled at short notice after government officials had issued massive threats. Instead, a few activists held a bicycle demonstration the day before the planned move, at which for the first time a public symbol was set for the visibility of homosexuality. Despite police protection, some young people threw smoke bombs at the participants. Since then, the recognition of homosexuals has increased significantly, both socially and politically. They are better organized and have regular media presence. Xheni Karaj and Kristi Pinderi are the most famous LGBT activists in Albania who also organize activities on a regular basis.

According to the 2013 European Social Survey , Albania is the most homophobic country in Europe. Confessing homosexuals are often marginalized or harassed by their families. In 2016, however, observers described a gradual process of liberalization.

On May 17, 2014, another demonstration by LGBT activists took place in Tirana. As in the following years, no incidents were registered.

A first emergency shelter for homosexuals was opened in Tirana in 2014, offering a refuge for those who have been displaced from their homes. It is the first such facility in the Western Balkans .

Positions of the religious communities

On the occasion of a joint symposium, the representatives of the Muslim Community , the Autocephalous Orthodox Church , the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant Church declared their position against the LGBT community in Albania. They stressed the importance of the family as the foundation of a healthy society.

literature

  • Conversation with Kristi Pinderi and Xheni Karaj, well-known LGBT activists in Albania . In: German-Albanian Friendship Society (Hrsg.): Albanische Hefte . No. 4 , 2013, ISSN  0930-1437 , p. 17-22 (translation of a conversation with dayagainsthomophobia.org from April 2013).

Web links

Commons : Homosexuality in Albania  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ State-sponsored homophobia. May 2009, archived from the original on May 2, 2010 ; accessed on May 25, 2014 (English, PDF file, 717 kB).
  2. ↑ a b Julie Bolcer: Albanian Gay Rights Law, minus Marriage. In: The Advocate . May 2, 2010, accessed May 25, 2014 .
  3. ↑ a b c Conversation with Kristi Pinderi and Xheni Karaj, well-known LGBT activists in Albania . In: German-Albanian Friendship Society (Hrsg.): Albanische Hefte . No. 4 , 2013, ISSN  0930-1437 , p. 17-22 .
  4. ^ Albania Plans To Legalize Gay Marriages. In: Seattle Time. July 30, 2009, archived from the original on May 25, 2014 ; accessed on September 14, 2012 (English).
  5. ↑ Queer.de: Albania wants to open marriage , July 30, 2009
  6. ↑ Registered partnerships in Albania? In: Queer.de. December 6, 2013, accessed September 16, 2014 .
  7. ↑ Homosexuals break the cycle of fear. (No longer available online.) In: Der Standard . May 15, 2012, archived from the original on September 4, 2012 ; Retrieved May 25, 2014 .
  8. ^ Dan Beeson: Albania is the "most anti-gay" country in Europe. In: Gay Star News. March 26, 2013, archived from the original on May 21, 2013 ; Retrieved on May 25, 2014 (English): "Albania is being called the most homophobic European country with 53% of participants are against homosexuality, according to a new survey published today"
  9. ^ Dewi van de Weerd: Courage is what it takes ... and perseverance. (No longer available online.) In: Netherlands Embassy in Tirana. May 2016, archived from the original on May 27, 2016 ; accessed on May 27, 2016 (English, ambassador's blog). Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / albania.nlembassy.org
  10. ^ Parada LGBT në Tiranë, vijnë edhe aktivistë nga Maqedonia. (No longer available online.) In: Lajmpress.com. May 17, 2014, archived from the original on May 25, 2014 ; Retrieved May 25, 2014 (Albanian).
  11. ↑ Re: Departure instead of fear - gay love in strict Albania. In: arte. July 6, 2017, Retrieved July 9, 2017 (Albanian).
  12. ^ Jamie Tabberer: First LGBTI shelter opens in Europe's "most anti-gay" country. In: Gay Star News. December 19, 2014, accessed January 17, 2016 .
  13. ^ Dan Littauer: Albania gay rights groups open first LGBTI shelter in Balkan region. In: LGBTQ Nation. December 11, 2014, accessed December 9, 2017 .
  14. ↑ Komunitetet fetare kundër LGBT (religious communities against LGBT). In: Top Channel . May 25, 2014, Retrieved May 25, 2014 (Albanian).