Tirana Pride 2026 marches for equality, dignity and family

Tirana, 23 May 2026 – Hundreds of activists, young people, civil society organisations, international partners and citizens marched today in the heart of Tirana as part of Tirana Pride 2026, the largest public event in Albania dedicated to the rights, dignity and equality of LGBTIQ+ people.

Under the slogan “Together for the Family”, this year’s march delivered a strong message of respect, acceptance and the right of every person to live freely and without discrimination in Albania.

Tirana Pride 2026 was organised as part of the 17th edition of the Festival of Diversity and the activities marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), turning Tirana into a space of solidarity, visibility and support for the LGBTIQ+ community in Albania and the region.

The march was co-organised by PINK Embassy Albania, the LGBT Alliance, OMSA, Pro LGBT and Streha, with the support of the Council of Europe and national and international partners.

Over the past weeks, the Festival of Diversity hosted a series of public events and discussions on human rights, including the organisation of the High-Level Dialogue on EU Interim Benchmarks and LGBTIQ+ Rights in Albania, where participants discussed the country’s progress and remaining challenges in relation to European integration and the protection of fundamental rights.

Organisers stressed that Tirana Pride is not only a march, but also a call for equality, a protest against discrimination and exclusion, and a reminder that human rights are universal and equal for everyone.

Despite the hate speech and attacks targeting the LGBTIQ+ community in Albania, participants sent a clear message that social progress, respect for human dignity and Albania’s European future cannot be stopped by prejudice and fear.

Tirana Pride 2026 concluded in an atmosphere of solidarity, music and hope for a freer, more equal and more inclusive Albania for all its citizens.