Coming out resource guide published in Albanian

3 November 2014 – PINK Embassy / LGBT Pro publishes today the online informative brochure “A resource guide to coming out”, in Albanian, a material which describes the process of accepting ones’ sexual orientation or gender identity to their relatives, friends, colleagues etc. This material has been prepared by Human Rights Campaign, one of the biggest LGBTI organizations in the United States and is being published in Albanian thanks to the two organizations’ cooperation.

The guide starts with the expression “Being brave doesn’t mean that you’re not scared. It means that if you are scared, you do the thing you’re afraid of anyway”. It directs readers not towards a “coming out” platform, but explains what it means to be open with oneself, what plans you need to make, what happens in conversations between friends, colleagues or acquaintances on homosexuality, how coming out works etc. The translated guide has also been enriched with information on the Albanian LGBTI movement, the organizations active in the field, challenges and needs of the community etc.

Coming out is not a universal phenomenon when it comes to its forms and expressions, and there are huge differences among cultures, including American and Albanian ones. This process is now being recognized in Albania. Many LGBTI people, especially young, are inevitably in a more dynamic coming out process. Such is every step, from that of personal acceptance to publicly declaring your sexual orientation or gender identity. However, for many people this is not a linear process. Because of many personal traits, such as perceived or real freedom, economic and social status, personal beliefs, fear of mentality, community where you live in etc make the process of coming out different for every person. The risks of coming out are not similar for everyone. For instance, to a gay man living and working in Tirana, with a good job, income and education, coming out could “cost” him a few friends or a potential business deal. For a gay man, born and raised in a small community, whose sole economic survival depends on his relations with family and relatives, coming out could mean starting a new life out on the street.

Keeping in mind this variety, PINK publishes today this guide as being rich in information and because it enlightens the reader on many aspects of the coming out process. There you will find out more about the psychology, social context and preparation phases of coming out. PINK wishes for this guide to be as helpful as possible for people who are in the coming out process and wants to thank Human Rights Campaign for approving its translation and publication in Albanian.