Albania has been one of the poorest countries in Europe, and has been one of the last ones to 'catch up' with the times, including acceptance and tolerance of gays and lesbians in society. Many homosexuals, especially men, were afraid to be outted for fear of their lives and safety. But now, Albania is changing their outlook towards homosexual. A beautiful country, with gorgeous beaches in Vlora and Durres, a classic European city (Tirane) full of vibrant life, delicious meatshops and quaint cafes, it is the epitome of unpretentious European living. In close proximity to Montenegro and Italy, Albania is definitely not a place to overlook. Boasting a land of beautiful people and land, and the homeland of Mother Teresa, Albania should have a lot to be pride of...
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Albania may face legal challenges not experienced by heterosexual residents. Both male and female same-gender sexual activity are legal in Albania, but households headed by same-gender couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-gender couples.
There is no non-discrimination law protecting LGBT people. However, a comprehensive draft law on non-discrimination is pending that includes 'sexual orientation' and 'gender identity' among other categories of non-discrimination. Prime Minister Sali Berisha announced in July 2009 that the governing Democratic Coalition will support the law.
Albania, as a whole, is still considered to be rather conservative, especially in public reactions regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) rights and visibility of LGBT people.-wikipedia
It is an unexpected move in a country that is still one of the most conservative in Europe and where homosexuality was illegal until 1995.
Mr Berisha acknowledged the proposed law might provoke debate but maintained that discrimination in modern Albania had to end.
The bill was drawn up by a group of non-governmental organisations.
It has been accepted by Mr Berisha's Democratic Party and will now come before parliament in the autumn.
In a predominantly Muslim country with almost no open homosexual community, the announcement by a conservative PM has taken people by surprise.
Goran Miletic, a Belgrade-based human rights lawyer, working partly on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues said it was an important step forward for the country.
"(It is) encouraging for the LGBT community in Albania, bearing in mind that they are not visible comparing to some other Balkan states like Serbia, like Macedonia or Croatia."
But he said he did not think the law would be passed easily in the face of immediate opposition from religious communities
The reaction by Islamic and Catholic leaders has been vehement.
Under the isolationist rule of Enver Hoxha, Albania was officially an atheist state.
But since the fall of Communism almost two decades ago, religion has once again grown and its leaders' voices are influential.
Albania, though, has set its sights firmly on the goal of European Union membership, and it seems this proposed law is aimed at showing Brussels a progressive new image.
If it is passed in the autumn, it could move the country one step further on its European path. --BBC News
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Albania may face legal challenges not experienced by heterosexual residents. Both male and female same-gender sexual activity are legal in Albania, but households headed by same-gender couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-gender couples.
There is no non-discrimination law protecting LGBT people. However, a comprehensive draft law on non-discrimination is pending that includes 'sexual orientation' and 'gender identity' among other categories of non-discrimination. Prime Minister Sali Berisha announced in July 2009 that the governing Democratic Coalition will support the law.
Albania, as a whole, is still considered to be rather conservative, especially in public reactions regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) rights and visibility of LGBT people.-wikipedia
It is an unexpected move in a country that is still one of the most conservative in Europe and where homosexuality was illegal until 1995.
Mr Berisha acknowledged the proposed law might provoke debate but maintained that discrimination in modern Albania had to end.
The bill was drawn up by a group of non-governmental organisations.
It has been accepted by Mr Berisha's Democratic Party and will now come before parliament in the autumn.
In a predominantly Muslim country with almost no open homosexual community, the announcement by a conservative PM has taken people by surprise.
Goran Miletic, a Belgrade-based human rights lawyer, working partly on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues said it was an important step forward for the country.
"(It is) encouraging for the LGBT community in Albania, bearing in mind that they are not visible comparing to some other Balkan states like Serbia, like Macedonia or Croatia."
But he said he did not think the law would be passed easily in the face of immediate opposition from religious communities
The reaction by Islamic and Catholic leaders has been vehement.
Under the isolationist rule of Enver Hoxha, Albania was officially an atheist state.
But since the fall of Communism almost two decades ago, religion has once again grown and its leaders' voices are influential.
Albania, though, has set its sights firmly on the goal of European Union membership, and it seems this proposed law is aimed at showing Brussels a progressive new image.
If it is passed in the autumn, it could move the country one step further on its European path. --BBC News
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