LGBTQ in Albania: A Life Lived in Hiding

Sep 24, 2026 | Up until the mid-90s, if you were openly gay in Albania, you would be sent to prison. Many homosexuals still face bigotry and violence, even in their own homes.

In the last five years, Albania has seen a dynamic LGBTQ movement. Gay activists have created secret guest houses in Tirana that offer shelter to young homosexuals who have been brutally abused.

We travelled to Albania and recorded rare glimpses into the lives of people who have been victimized and neglected because of their sexual orientation in one of Europe's most homophobic countries.

This documentary was produced by VICE Media and directed by Nina Foufa. It was first released in 2015.