How many of you know anyone gay? You all know someone gay. Introduce self— Anthropologist, Ph.D., taught at American University in Department of Anthropology and Women’s and Gender Studies. Came out in 1992. I’ve been working on human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people for nearly 18 years. Came to Albania to Albania with my partner—we didn’t find any organized community; as a foreigner, didn’t even find any underground community. I was asked by the American Ambassador to find out what he could do to support the Albanian gay community. I started to give lectures in college courses. I started to meet with human rights activists, and I started to find Albanian gay people. Working to form an active community, hosting events, doing outreach activities. Completely volunteer, all actions and all activities have been funded by donations.
People feel really afraid and isolated. One of the most powerful things that I have heard was a young lesbian who said, “For a long time, the only lesbian I ever saw was when I looked in the mirror.” I have heard from people who have been alone for years. One women I met has had a girlfriend for 6 years…she and her partner never knew anyone else and were always completely alone. I hear not only about fear for the consequences to themselves, but also worries about their parents and families facing discrimination if they are known to be be gay.
Many people have left. I have been in touch with a number of Albanians who live abroad because they feel like they cannot live in Albania. I have also met some people who are trying to find ways to leave. One young man that I know is desperate to leave Albania, because he feels like he can never lead a full and free life here. People have told me that they considered suicide because they were worried that they would never be accepted; that because they were different they would always be rejected by Albanian society. In the U.S. suicide rates among gay young people are 4 times higher than among heterosexual young people…imagine what the situation is here when they don’t have the possibility to find a supportive community.
I also know many people who don’t want to leave, who love Albania, and who want to make it more free and open in Albania. I have also been incredibly inspired by the passion, enthusiasm and commitment of the people who are working to build community, build visibility, and create change. They are excited, they are finding out that they are stronger when they are together and working for a common goal. And, perhaps most importantly, those who are participating in these first community-building activities are no longer alone, no longer feel isolated, and feel like they have hope.
New organization that began in April 2009. This is a photo of the facebook page, and the facebook group now has over 500 members. You can also join! These online group participants are people who are living both inside and outside Albania, are gay and straight, many of whom may never come to a formal meeting of the organization, but all of whom support the idea of an Albania where all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, can live freely. Sponsors social events, discussion groups, visibility campaigns, lectures in university classrooms and more. Aleanca’s programs are completely run by volunteers, and revolve around a three-pronged approach of building and empowering community, public education, and creating visibility for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues.
Aleanca sponsored a postering campaign and condom distribution in the bllok for World AIDS Day (poster and pictures)
![LGBTQ People in Albania ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)