3.1             Survey

 Taken into account the limitations of me, being a foreigner who has visited Albania only once, I observed a gay and lesbian community that is split, confused but mainly very afraid. My meetings with members of the Albanian lesbian and gay community reminded me of meeting with Romanian homosexuals in the mid-nineties when homosexuality was still penalized in Romania.

In order to gather some objective data about this community, I conducted a short survey while I was in Tirana.[1] Surveys were returned on paper and by e-mail. Eight respondents, all men, replied. Some findings:

1. How many (other) gay people do you know?

2. How many (other) lesbian women do you know?

Many respondents know other gays, and to a lesser extent, lesbians[2]. This is partly caused by the fact that no lesbian woman has filled in this form.

3.      Have you (or somebody you know) ever been physically assaulted because of your sexual orientation?

One person reported to have been beaten by policemen in the police car; another person reported that the police collect addresses of gay people.

4.      Do you know somebody who has been refused a job because of her/his sexual orientation?

One person remarked that people usually behave negatively, but that the younger generation is more tolerant.

6. What are the basic needs for the gay and lesbian community in Albania?

Some people mentioned the need for advocacy organizations (3) and the need to be united as a community (2). Others mentioned ‘rehabilitation’, discos and clubs and cooperation with foreign organisations.

7. What are the main problems for you as a gay in Albania?

People reported the Albanian mentality, problems with the police, the hatred expressed by society and the violence to which gays are exposed.

8. How do you identify?

9. What is your age?

In the “free space” on the survey form, people expressed their impatience. “If the situation does not change in Albania, I will look for asylum in EU country.”