LGBT Rights in Albania - Gay Rights Movements in Albania

Gay Rights Movements in Albania

There are 3 organisations in Albanian focused on LGBT rights - the three most well known are Aleanca Kunder Diskriminimit LGBT (Alliance Against LGBT Discrimination), Pro LGBT and Pink Embassy/LGBT PRO ne Shqiperi. Both organizations work to create a better and more equal living situation for LGBT people in Albania.

The Alliance Against LGBT Discrimination is an Albanian non-governmental organization that envisions a free, open and equal Albanian society that embraces diversity and is inclusive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Aleanca LGBT was created in March, 2009 by a volunteer group of LGBT young people dedicated to improving life and empowering LGBT people in Albania. Aleanca's activities include:

· Community Building – Facebook site, website (http://www.aleancalgbt.org, http://www.gay.al), community events (discussion groups, movie screenings, parties, book club, cooking course, English course, a women's football team etc.).

· Awareness Raising – Public lectures, public movie screenings, cooperation with the media (TV and radio program appearances, individual interviews, article publications, press releases), translation of relevant materials (international reports, articles on sexuality and homophobia, health issues etc.), informative leaflets and poster distribution (International Day Against Homophobia, World AIDS Day etc.).

· Advocacy and Lobbying – Networking with other human rights organizations/groups, meetings with public officials and the international community (US Embassy, Dutch Embassy, German Embassy, and European Commission), public activities to promote the adoption of the Anti-Discrimination Law by Parliament (articles, press releases, meetings etc.).

Pink Embassy aims to strengthen the position of gay community living there. Actually, this organisation is focused on two main areas: Advocacy and lobbying to ensure respect for the rights of the LGBT community through information and education campaigns, monitoring violations of human rights of members of the LGBT and the reaction against anyone who violates or endangers those rights, impact on government and policy-making to build effective mechanisms in favor of the LGBT community; Creating favorable conditions to facilitate visibility and mobilize the LGBT community - through organizing social events, panel discussions, setting up of "mentor" and "peer support" and activities that empower the communities to become spokesman and protector of their rights; All action of PINK Embassy will seek to improve the attitude and behavior of government and Albanian society towards individuals and LGBT issues, as well as full integration of the community in social, economic, political and social situation in Albania.

While Pro LGBT is mainly focused on public awareness on LGBT issues. Recently this organization launched the human rights news portal "My Story" (historiaime.com)

In December 2010, the Deputy Commission for Labour, Social Affairs and Health, Tritan Shehu, declared that "homosexuality should be treated by medical staff as hormonal disorder, as well as psychological". The LGBT organizations filed a collective complaint with the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination. The Commissioner reviewed the declarations and, after a lengthy delay, on 30 September 2011 reprimanded Mr. Shehu in a letter to Parliament: “Mr. Shehu should avoid discriminatory remarks in the future, which cause an atmosphere of tension and unfriendliness towards the LGBT community in Albania." The Commissioner further recommended that Parliament should grant “all guaranties so that the thoughts, opinions and remarks of the LGBT community are heard, evaluated and taken into consideration, when they are directly involved on specific topics, in order to help the community to enjoy fully its rights and freedoms.”