Date: Fri, 3 Feb 1995 11:10:32 +0100
From: Steffen Jensen <Steffen.Jensen@uvm.min.dk>
        
        Victory in Albania
        
        On 20 January 1995 the Albanian Parliament finally legalized homo-
        sexual relations in Albania.
        
        The new penal code of the Republic of Albania, which should enter 
        into force shortly, foresees punitive sanctions only for sexual 
        relations with minors and for sex involving violence. Article 137 
        of the old Penal Code promulgated under the communist dictatorship, 
        which foresaw up to ten years of prison for simply "being homosexu-
        al" has thus been done away with completely.
        
        Much credit in bringing about this historic change goes to the Gay 
        Albania Society formed illegally by a courageous group of young 
        Albanians on 29 March 1994. With the able and decisive assistance 
        of the co-ordinating office for Eastern Europe at the International 
        Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) in Brussels and of a small num-
        ber of gay activists abroad, the very first Albanian gay group was 
        able to create an awareness among Albanian parliamentarians, and to 
        extent among the public at large that the persecution of homosexu-
        als is not compatible with a modern democratic society and govern-
        ment.
        
        Much remains to be done in promoting equality, in combatting wides-
        pread homophobia and ignorance in Albanian society, and in preven-
        ting the spread of AlDS, but the struggle can now be carried out 
        legally. Albania is coming out!
        
        On this historic occasion, the Gay Albania Society sends its warm 
        and enthusiastic greetings to Gays and Lesbians around the world.  
        The group does need further support from more developed countries. 
        If you can assist in any way, please contact Gene or Ilir at: P.O. 
        Box 104 Tirana, Albania