ERA – LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Turkey in close part

This analysis covered 200 articles published in print media (daily newspapers and weekly newspapers) in the period from May 15 to November 15, 2015, which included the key words transgender (person), transsexual (person), sex change, Trandha, Caitlyn Jenner, Bruce Jenner, Major Helena, Božo Vreča, Dajana Pospiš, Dolf Pospiš, Končita Vurst, gender identity.

Newspaper articles about trans people are often sensational and contribute to a construction of a negative stereotype about trans people and the trans community. With a proper use of language and a different approach, which shows respect and protects the privicy and dignity of trans people, journalists can help to change the situation.

In the present report, the United Nations Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based

ERA’s Annual General Assembly is the biggest LGBTI event organized in the region since 2015. The conference is a lobby, advocacy, capacity building and visibility event which brings together more than 160 participants from across the region, Europe and beyond. LGBTI activists, state officials (governments, Parliaments, equality bodies etc.), donors, researchers, journalists, diplomatic community, representatives of international organizations and members of the local community attend the event.  

Republic of Turkey joined Council of Europe on 9 August 1949 and is one of the oldest members. The Council of Europe has a well-established large-scale country-specific co-operation in Turkey mainly in the field of rule of law and fundamental freedoms. However, the country has been facing some major challenges in the past years, especially in the field of human rights and freedoms, including the overall protection of the rights of LGBTI persons.

The EU accession process has been, and continues to be, a driving force for change in the recognition of the human rights of LGBTI people throughout the region not only through the criteria that countries have to meet, but through the annual Enlargement Reports.

Public opinion polls have shown that LGBTI persons, along with Roma persons, are the least accepted minority group in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The vast majority of the citizens of BiH continue to see homosexuality as a disease and support criminal prosecution and punishment of LGBTI persons. The vast majority of families would not accept an LGBTI family member and would reject and exclude them solely by reason of their different identity and personal characteristics.

ERA – LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Turkey in close partnership with its members: Aleanca LGBT, PINK Embassy Albania, Pro LGBT and Streha; and with technical support from ILGA World submitted this Written Contribution to the 3rd Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Republic of Albania, which focuses on the position of LGBTI persons in the country.