TIRANA, May 17 – Activists from Albania’s gay and lesbian community rode through Tirana’s main boulevard in bicycles on Sunday, carrying the community’s rainbow flag and other symbols, seeking greater acceptance by the society at large and better measures by the government to protect their freedoms.
The rally, the fourth of its kind in Albania, marked the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, which saw events in about 120 countries this year.
In what has turned into an annual event in Albania, the LGBT activists were joined by local and international officials, including the country’s ombudsman and foreign diplomats. However, no political leaders attended.
“We know we are thousands and we protest today also on behalf of those who cannot be here, but who is missing is our Prime Minister Edi Rama and the leader of the opposition Lulzim Basha who know very well to give promises but they always fail to keep them,” said Kristi Pinderi, one of the rally organizers.
Those attending the rally stopped in front of the government headquarters, demanding laws and additional measures to protect their freedoms and human rights.
LGBT organizations have asked the government to improve the Labor Code and other laws to protect them from discrimination and social exclusion.
Activists said young gay and lesbian Albanians face discrimination in schools, and they are often kicked out of their homes when they come out to their families.
In many cases, these young people fall prey to violence, abuse and were not given the opportunity to live freely and with dignity, activists said.
The protesters demanded government help in changing deep societal prejudice in Albanian society about homosexuality.
The rally was accompanied by a police presence, but there were no incidents recorded.
Unlike neighboring countries where such rallies have been attacked or canceled in the past, there have never been incidents in Tirana.
