Aiming to raise public awareness to support equal rights the LGBT Alliance and ProLGBT with the support of Ecovolis will organize the fifth Gay (P)Ride and march and ride on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 11:00.
“Aleanca LGBT and ProLGBT with the support of Ecovolis have the pleasure to invite you to the biggest pride event in Albania against homophobia and transphobia. For the right of LGBT families; for the right of gender recognition and dignity for all. Together we are stronger!”
The Gay (P)Ride will start from the Palace of Congresses and it is expected to last until 13:00.
Homosexuality has been a fragile issue in Albania for many years, and it still continues to be so. In 1995 homosexuality was decriminalized in Albania and since 2010 it has been illegal to discriminate solely on the basis of sexual orientation. The coming Gay (P)Ride in Tirana aims to not only raise public awareness to stop discriminating the LGBT community, but also push people to support members of this minority as well as support their families and friends.
During the recent years civic organizations which have held the Festival of Diversity in Albania have been, in a way, opening doors to the empowerment of the Albanian LGBT community.
The Festival of Diversity is the most important annual event by PINK Embassy / LGBT Pro Albania which is a non-profit organization that works for the “protection and advancement of the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, intersex and queer people in Albania.”
Taking place every year on May 17 to mark the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, the work of non-profit organization PINK Embassy / LGBT Pro Albania started in the mid-2000s
“The main concept of diversity is that, despite differences we are all equal in rights, chances and in front of the law. Promotion of equality in diversity is important firstly because Albanian society is not unfamiliar to diversity and secondly because this is a human rights concept which still needs to be mainstreamed in Albanian society. Diversity Week is an opportunity to connect with LGBT rights, to become better informed on the topic and to celebrate the fact that society is happier and more emancipated if it can accept people despite their sexual orientation and gender identity,” according to PINK Embassy / LGBT Pro Albania.
