The streets of Tirana came alive as the LGBT+ community and activists marched from the Reja installation to the Prime Minister's Office and the Presidential Office for the 12th annual Pride Parade in Albania. The parade, held under the motto "Every Color, One Family," aimed to celebrate diversity and unity within families.
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| Pride Parade in Tirana. May 25, 2024. |
Activist Xheni Karaj highlighted that the week leading up to the parade was marked by hate speech directed at the LGBT+ community. She emphasized that the Pride Parade served as a powerful opportunity to demonstrate that the community poses no threat to anyone.
“We have been labeled as a threat to the family, yet we are part of everyone’s family. We are not a threat to anyone’s family. We want to convey messages of unity and love, for people to understand that, at the end of the day, we are like everyone else and we are part of the family,” Karaj stated during the parade.
On May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, a symbolic wedding ceremony was held on the terrace of the Tirana Municipality. A British pastor officiated the marriage of two women from the LGBT+ community, Edlira Mara and Alba Ahmetaj, who have been in a relationship for 14 years and have two daughters. Despite Albania's Family Code prohibiting same-sex marriages, the couple submitted a request for marriage registration based on Article 53 of the Albanian Constitution, which states that "everyone has the right to marry and have a family."
The symbolic wedding, although not legally recognized, sparked significant debate and protests. On Friday, May 24, citizens, activists, and representatives of religious communities gathered in Skanderbeg Square and marched to the Prime Minister's Office to oppose same-sex marriages, describing them as a "destruction of the family."
Additionally, this week saw the signing of the “manifesto of life” petition, drafted by representatives of family advocacy organizations, religious communities, and civil society activists. The petition opposes the Albanian government's latest initiative to amend the Law on Sexual and Reproductive Health to allow surrogacy. Protest organizers and petition initiators plan to submit the petition to the Assembly, urging lawmakers to reject the proposed changes.
Amidst the public debates triggered by the symbolic wedding, Xheni Karaj pointed out that hate speech does not contribute positively to society. Participants in the Pride Parade called for respect and non-judgmental acceptance of the LGBT+ community, emphasizing that threats and discrimination should end.
During the parade, activists carried banners reading “Every Color, One Family” and waved the rainbow flag representing the LGBT+ community. The event also saw the participation of EU Ambassador to Albania Silvio Gonzato and UK Ambassador Alastair King-Smith.
Throughout the week, several events were held in Albania to mark the days against homophobia, including the 15th Diversity Festival, which celebrated LGBT+ rights, equality, respect, and the diversity of human beings. The festival also recognized 30 individuals, institutions, and organizations that have publicly supported members of the LGBT+ community.