Tirana Gay (P)Ride, hundreds march in Albania and demand equality

Today  the  LGBT community  invaded the boulevard and stopped in front of the Prime Ministry with the bicycles and posters.

The LGBTI community in Albania and various supporters marched in Boulevard “Dëshmorët e Kombit” in the 5th parade with bicycles.

Hundreds of activists, members of the LGBTI community and their supporters carried banners that read: “Hatred is not a solution, Say Yes to love”, “We want equal rights, not special rights”, “Together for family, Courage” “No love is wrong”, etc.

Xheni Karaj, an activist for the rights of LGBTI said: “today we marched  for those members of community who cannot come out because of prejudice. Today we required with the courage and determination equal rights like any other citizens, justice and freedom to live our lives without fear that we will be judged or violated because of who we love”. Kristi Pinderi, said: “in the wave of hatred that has burst these last days, there are some of those that evoke the days of Enver Hoxha, without realizing that they are on the wrong side of the history, that history can’t go back but just ahead.”

Activists said that they feel ashamed and also this year no high representatives from  the government,  opposition or the municipality did not join this event. However, employees of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth participated.

Tirana Gay (P)Ride

The parade with bicycles was also attended by the US Ambassador, Ambassador of the Netherlands, representatives of the British Embassy, ​​the Ombudsman, the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, etc.

Participants in the parade stopped in front of the Prime Ministry where they unfolded a banner that read: “Equal rights for LGBT families.” They criticized the fact that the government has failed so far to amend the Family Code in order that also partners of the same sex to have legal recognition.

Activities within the International Day against Homophobia, Trans-phopia, Bi-fobia will continue on Monday with the screening at the premises of the Prime Ministry of the documentary SkaNdal (that same day the documentary will be screened in the city of Vlora, at the Palace of Culture), awarding the Ally of the Year, and other activities that will end with a charity gala evening for the shelter STREHA, on May 20th at the Palace of Brigades.