In May and June 2024, The Albanian Pro Family and Life Coalition led a campaign opposing a draft policy concerning reproductive rights. Two primary concerns raised by the coalition were the provision allowing abortions for girls over 16 without parental consent and the proposed legalization of surrogacy. Subsequently, on May 19th, the municipality of Tirana hosted its first lesbian marriage as a symbolic gesture, despite Albania not yet legally recognizing same-sex marriages. This event prompted the protests in the streets of Tirana, led by the Pro Family Coalition, religious leaders, opposition deputies, and medical professionals. The central message of the protests emphasized the protection of traditional family values and safeguarding children from what they termed the “gay agenda”. The following day, the annual pride parade took place in Tirana, marking its tenth consecutive year. Allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community marched through the city, advocating for equality and inclusion.
The Pro Family Coalition voices significant concerns regarding the abortion draft and surrogacy, viewing them as threats to the traditional family structure. With regards to the abortion policy, the primary apprehension stems from the potential of fostering a place of distrust and deceit within families, thus separating family members. Conversely, the main issue surrounding surrogacy is the commodification of Albanian women’s bodies, with fears that foreign companies will exploit women in need. Pastor Akil Pano, the head of the Pro Family and Life Coalition, warns of the potential for surrogacy tourism to flourish in Albania, leading to the trafficking of embryos or babies. The Coalition consistently opposes LGBTQ+ petitions, citing the preservation of family values as their rationale. Albanian culture is deeply patriarchal, with decision-making historically being predominantly led by men, particularly the eldest male family members. This patriarchal influence persists across various regions to varying degrees. Virginity is revered as a virtue regardless of one’s education level, while female sexuality is often confined to the role of motherhood. During the communist regime, women started getting employment and working in factories and administration like men; ; however, cultural values changed slower, and women’s role remained staunchly associated with family values, virtue, family honour and suppression of sexuality. Given Albania’s economic challenges at the time, this emphasis was deemed necessary for national strength and social cohesion, fostering a blind trust in the government.
The LGBTQ+ Alliance in Albania has been active since 2012, marking its first milestone in 2014 with the region’s inaugural gay parade. However, controversy has followed their presence, with arguments suggesting that Albanian society is not prepared for LGBTQ+ rights or that other pressing issues should take precedence. The Alliance prioritizes community well-being and women’s rights, often collaborating with the Feminist Collective for joint parades and protests. Advocates view laws concerning abortion and surrogacy as progressive steps toward a more civil society and in favour of women’s rights and the integration of western standards of living. While Western countries are witnessing advancements in LGBTQ+ rights through updated legislation, the Albanian LGBTQ+ community seeks legal support for their existence within the country. Foreign investors, embassies, and the government have shown support for LGBTQ+ causes as a means of integrating into a more progressive society. Throughout 2023 and 2024, efforts intensified to pass legislation on these issues, particularly with Albania’s first openly lesbian family making headlines. Albanian society has historically viewed openly LGBTQ+ individuals with scepticism, often considering it as perversion or a funny joke among friends. Many men perceive it as a threat to traditional values, with some viewing it as part of an agenda. While some women tolerate the LGBTQ+ community, widespread respect for their identity remains lacking, as the prevailing mindset suggests it disrupts Albanian family traditions. Despite this, LGBTQ+ individuals have always been part of Albania’s societal fabric, albeit often unrecognized in its history.
The rejection of surrogacy, abortion, and LGBTQ+ policies in Albania finds its roots in the preservation of family traditions. For Albanian women, family values signify both protection and security, as well as fear and limitations. Men traditionally assume the role of primary providers and protectors, safeguarding women from potential threats. Marriage holds significant value for women, symbolizing purity and often infantilizing them, while simultaneously positioning them as strong, nurturing mothers. In Albanian households, the husband is considered the head, but the wife is often referred to as the neck, emphasizing her pivotal role, particularly as a support system for her husband. Paradoxically, Albania grapples with high rates of family violence against women, often stemming from issues of disobedience or jealousy. Women are expected to fulfil specific roles within marriage, including childbearing, managing household chores, and tending to the needs of their husband and children. Children hold immense importance in Albanian society, especially sons, and those who choose not to have children may face societal scrutiny. The prevalence of selective abortion targeting female foetuses underscores the societal emphasis on children and their well-being. Albanian women navigate a socio-political landscape fraught with contradictions; where legal persecution of minors coexists with challenges in protecting themselves from potential abuse . Additionally, while having children is seen as essential for social status, the use of surrogacy is prohibited, even for women who are unable to conceive due to anatomical or health reasons. Reproductive and LGBTQ+ policies have the potential to address the inherent “lack” faced by women and LGBTQ+ individuals in Albania, challenging societal norms and reshaping the cultural landscape.
Even though specific values are perceived differently by both sides, there is a middle ground. It involves recognizing the importance of family cohesion and support, while also acknowledging the rights and autonomy of individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It entails promoting policies and practices that prioritize both family values and the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and women, ensuring that no one is marginalized or discriminated against based on their identity or lifestyle choices. Ultimately, by bridging the gap between these movements, society can strive towards creating a more inclusive and harmonious environment where all families and individuals can thrive. There is a need for a weakening of archaic patriarchal views and systems and by seeing the middle ground there can be a change when it comes to the evolution of the “nuclear family”.
Family is the pillar of Albanian identity and its more than understandable that in this constantly evolving landscape of foreign interests and new theories on gender, sexuality and identity The Pro-Family Coalition will have such concerns and stand against it. Besides religious and societal reasons for opposing such policies one thing becomes clear and that is the mistrust of government and how it will implement the standards it has offered in the draft policies and make it safe in reality. One side is scared of the future if these policies are implemented and the other excited for the opportunities it would offer and this polarity cannot be resolved by fears and hopes but rather studies and a good social system that can make at least 45% of the things that it promises and it legislates so that it does not create a phantom effect on good policies but bad institutions.