PINK holds open lecture at Tirana University

On May 9^th 2015 in the framework of International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, PINK Embassy / LGBT Pro Albania held open lecture at the Faculty of Social Sciences at Tirana University. The activity was held in cooperation with the Faculty and was attended by Social Work students.

In the training students managed to learn more about LGBTI concepts, sexual orientation, gender identity, hetero-normativity, heterosexism and its consequences such as discrimination, homophobia, transphobia etc.

At the end of the training students and lecturer agreed to hold a second training with PINK Embassy which would focus on the evaluating the needs of the LGBTI community.

Diversity Month will take place between May 4th – June 11th, under the motto “How long can you wait for your rights”? This question is directed to Albanian youth in general and LGBTI in particular and puts emphasis on the problems and major challenges faced by LGBTI youth here in Albania and all over the world.

LGBTI youth are often victims of human rights violations. This includes eviction from home, exclusion from social networks, lack of chances and opportunities in terms of professional and human development, bullying and harassment in schools, psychological abuse in social media, verbal and physical attacks from strangers, abuse with drugs, psycho-emotional distress etc. In these 7 years Albanian LGBTI youth have shared with organizations distressing information about serious problems in the family, schools, workplace etc.

It is important that all Albanian society and institutions understand that homophobia and transphobia are not just words without consequences. They have a direct impact on the lives and future of every young woman and man whose sexual orientation and gender identity does not correspond with social expectations.

PINK Embassy wishes to thank the Faculty of Social Sciences of Tirana University for making possible this event.

The lecture was held in the framework of the initiative “Improving the lives of LGBTI people at the local level” and is supported by the European Union.