The International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia - 17 May, was established in 2004 to draw the attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. Young people in particular often face the challenge of being caught in their own shells, experiencing distinct and chronic stress that is related to their stigmatised identities.

To mark IDAHOT 2023 in Albania, the action on Advancing the protection from discrimination in Albania, under the joint European Union and Council of Europe Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye programme and the Council of Europe Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Unit are supporting local organisations in Albania in the field of human rights for the launch of a series of events under this year’s slogan “Open your heart!”.

IDAHOT Week in Albania will be extended to almost the full month, starting on 2 May until 27 May through various awareness raising initiatives engaging LGBTI communities and supporters, aiming to use this opportunity to involve the larger public and our local communities through workshops, conferences, book clubs, theatres, exhibitions, poetry etc.

Albanian LGBTI activists from Aleanca LGBT, Pink Embassy, Pro LGBT, Streha LGBT and Open Mind Spectrum Albania prepared a series of initiatives which are carefully designed to reach out to people and to inspire change in attitudes towards societies inclusive of LGBTI persons in Albania and Europe.

The main activities happening during 2 -27 May are as follows:

20 MAY 2023, 17:00 @ Reja Tiranë -TIRANA LGBTI PRIDE

2-3 MAY, @Destil – Workshop: "Poems for Pride", Boulevard Art Media & LGBT Alliance.

5 MAY, 17:00 @Aleanca - Spoken poetry workshop with the poet Marguerite Meyer from Switzerland.

12 MAY, 19:00 @Destil Creative Hub - (not) Queer Movies. 

15 MAY, 11:00 @Albanian Parliament - Presentation of the draft-resolution on LGBTI Rights to the Albanian Parliament.

15 MAY, 11:00 @Pogradec - Storytelling Meetings ‘’TELL IT OUT BOOK’’ sharing and reading real stories from parents of LGBTI in Albania & Europe.

15 MAY, 18:00 @Destil - 3 short films, made by young Queer directors from Albania.

16 MAY, 16:00 - Start of the National Campaign “SAFE SCHOOLS for LGBTI Youth in Albania”.

16 MAY, 19:00 @Tulla Center - Competition "Queer Verses" and music.

16 MAY, 20:00 @EXPERIMENTAL THEATER – Theatre piece "I’m my own wife".

17 MAY, 18:00 @EUROPE HOUSE – Transmission of Movie: "As I was looking above, I could see myself underneath".

17 MAY, 10:00 @Palace of Culture or Municipality of Tirana - Raise the Flag – yearly event.

17 MAY, 11:00 @Hotel Tirana INT. - National Workshop: "Fighting Hate Crimes and Hate Speech in Albania".

17 MAY, 18:30 @COD (Center for Openness and Dialogue) -"TELL IT OUT!" Performed readings. In the framework of the International Day Against Homophobia!

18 MAY, 19:00 @TULLA - Queer Got Talent.

19 MAY, 12:30 @ NISMA ARSIS - Let’s talk about the rainbow!  Antidiscrimination Video followed by a discussion.

19 MAY, 17:00 (venue not yet decided) - Being Trans in Albania Exhibition.

19 – 30 MAY, 17:00 @EUROPE HOUSE (TBC) - EXHIBITION ‘’I AM YOUR CHILD!!!’’.

20 MAY, 17:00 @ Reja Tiranë - TIRANA LGBTI PRIDE.

21 MAY, @Tunnel music Venue - Drag Queen Party.

22 MAY 2023, 15:00 @ Saranda - Storytelling Meetings ‘’TELL IT OUT BOOK’’ sharing and reading real stories from parents of LGBTI in Albania & Europe.

24 MAY, 18:00 @Destil Creative Hub – The manual "Access to services for LGBTQ+ people".

27 MAY, 18:00 @Destil Creative Hub – Table of Discussion "Disinformation towards the LGBTQ+ community.