Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Albania face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents, although LGBT people are protected under comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation. [1]. Everything you need to know to plan your gay trip to Albania including safety tips and unmissable sights for gay travelers! Though something tells us this is about to change…. With a landscape filled with white sand beaches, fairytale-like castles, and a history that is as fiery as a Real Housewives reunion, is it any wonder Albania is fast becoming a must-visit for gay travelers?
LGBT rights in Albania have made significant progress over the past decade, with the government enacting comprehensive anti-discrimination laws to protect the rights of individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Read the report here. Read the full anthology here. Albania, which did not experience a sexual or feminist revolution due to the year socialist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha following WWII, and where homosexuality remained criminalized until , is only recently beginning to observe signs of feminist resistance and discourse, particularly emerging from the grassroots level.
Aleanca LGBT 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. Same-sex marriage and registered partnerships are not legal, and cultural attitudes towards the community tend to be conservative, especially among older generations. While things are slowly changing and there are some areas where public displays of affection may be more accepted, I would advise to avoid unwanted attention or hostility by refraining from such displays, especially in remote areas. Therefore, if you are a lesbian couple, unless you kiss on the lips or engage in more intimate touching, you may not attract much attention if you do any of the actions I mentioned.
The result is frustrating and risky for LGBT citizens who want to move ahead to a progressive "Gay Life in Albania" of better human rights but are caught in retrograde religious (Muslim and Catholic) opinions and resistant old traditions. UK, remember your settings and improve government services. This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.