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Trans People Look For Acceptance in Conservative Albania

Published May 29th, 2021 - 07:10 GMT

Transgender people find little acceptance in conservative societies like Albania. Every time they go out of your house, they face aggression.

Transgender people in Albania lost the will to live. The world becomes a prison.  

After years of isolation, the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time.

They have launched a photo exhibition in the capital, Tirana in stylized poses against the crumbling walls and eerie stairwells of a former prison.

Being trans in Albania means being deprived of even the smallest things, being chased out of a cafe when all you want is to have a coffee.

For the past 10 years, Albanian law has prohibited discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

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Albanian transgender Lola, poses during a photo shooting session, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac

Albanian transgender Lola, poses during a photo shooting session, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time. They have launched a photo exhibition in the capital, Tirana, with stark images of Myrtollari and two of her friends -- Denisa Mneri and Lola Monro -- in stylised poses against the crumbling walls and eerie stairwells of a former prison. Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP

Albanian transgender Denisa, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac

Albanian transgender Denisa, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, prior to a photo shoot on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time. They have launched a photo exhibition in the capital, Tirana, with stark images of Myrtollari and two of her friends -- Denisa Mneri and Lola Monro -- in stylised poses against the crumbling walls and eerie stairwells of a former prison. Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP

Albanian transgender Luana, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, prior to a photo shoot on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation

Albanian transgender Luana, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, prior to a photo shoot on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time. They have launched a photo exhibition in the capital, Tirana, with stark images of Myrtollari and two of her friends -- Denisa Mneri and Lola Monro -- in stylised poses against the crumbling walls and eerie stairwells of a former prison. Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP

Albanian transgender Denisa, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac

Albanian transgender Denisa, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, prior to a photo shoot on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time. They have launched a photo exhibition in the capital, Tirana, with stark images of Myrtollari and two of her friends -- Denisa Mneri and Lola Monro -- in stylised poses against the crumbling walls and eerie stairwells of a former prison. Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP

Albanian transgender Luana, puts her makeup on, in her house in Tirana

Albanian transgender Luana, puts her makeup on, in her house in Tirana on May 20, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time. They have launched a photo exhibition in the capital, Tirana, with stark images of Myrtollari and two of her friends -- Denisa Mneri and Lola Monro -- in stylised poses against the crumbling walls and eerie stairwells of a former prison. Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP

Albanian transgender Luana, poses in military dress during a photo shooting session, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac

Albanian transgender Luana, poses in military dress during a photo shooting session, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time. They have launched a photo exhibition in the capital, Tirana, with stark images of Myrtollari and two of her friends -- Denisa Mneri and Lola Monro -- in stylised poses against the crumbling walls and eerie stairwells of a former prison. Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP

Albanian transgender Lola, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac

Albanian transgender Lola, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, prior to a photo shoot on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues. After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time. They have launched a photo exhibition in the capital, Tirana, with stark images of Myrtollari and two of her friends -- Denisa Mneri and Lola Monro -- in stylised poses against the crumbling walls and eerie stairwells of a former prison. Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP

Albanian transgenders Lola (L) and Luana (R), put their makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, prior to a photo shoot on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time.

Albanian transgenders Lola (L) and Luana (R), put their makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, prior to a photo shoot on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time. They have launched a photo exhibition in the capital, Tirana, with stark images of Myrtollari and two of her friends -- Denisa Mneri and Lola Monro -- in stylised poses against the crumbling walls and eerie stairwells of a former prison. Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP

Albanian transgender Denisa, speaks during an interview in a street of Tirana’s city center on May 20, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time

Albanian transgender Denisa, speaks during an interview in a street of Tirana’s city center on May 20, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time. They have launched a photo exhibition in the capital, Tirana, with stark images of Myrtollari and two of her friends -- Denisa Mneri and Lola Monro -- in stylised poses against the crumbling walls and eerie stairwells of a former prison. Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP

Albanian transgender Lola, poses during a photo shooting session, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac
Albanian transgender Denisa, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac
Albanian transgender Luana, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, prior to a photo shoot on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation
Albanian transgender Denisa, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac
Albanian transgender Luana, puts her makeup on, in her house in Tirana
Albanian transgender Luana, poses in military dress during a photo shooting session, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac
Albanian transgender Lola, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac
Albanian transgenders Lola (L) and Luana (R), put their makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, prior to a photo shoot on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time.
Albanian transgender Denisa, speaks during an interview in a street of Tirana’s city center on May 20, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time
Albanian transgender Lola, poses during a photo shooting session, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac
Albanian transgender Lola, poses during a photo shooting session, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time. They have launched a photo exhibition in the capital, Tirana, with stark images of Myrtollari and two of her friends -- Denisa Mneri and Lola Monro -- in stylised poses against the crumbling walls and eerie stairwells of a former prison. Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP
Albanian transgender Denisa, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac
Albanian transgender Denisa, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, prior to a photo shoot on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time. They have launched a photo exhibition in the capital, Tirana, with stark images of Myrtollari and two of her friends -- Denisa Mneri and Lola Monro -- in stylised poses against the crumbling walls and eerie stairwells of a former prison. Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP
Albanian transgender Luana, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, prior to a photo shoot on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation
Albanian transgender Luana, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, prior to a photo shoot on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time. They have launched a photo exhibition in the capital, Tirana, with stark images of Myrtollari and two of her friends -- Denisa Mneri and Lola Monro -- in stylised poses against the crumbling walls and eerie stairwells of a former prison. Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP
Albanian transgender Denisa, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac
Albanian transgender Denisa, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, prior to a photo shoot on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time. They have launched a photo exhibition in the capital, Tirana, with stark images of Myrtollari and two of her friends -- Denisa Mneri and Lola Monro -- in stylised poses against the crumbling walls and eerie stairwells of a former prison. Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP
Albanian transgender Luana, puts her makeup on, in her house in Tirana
Albanian transgender Luana, puts her makeup on, in her house in Tirana on May 20, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time. They have launched a photo exhibition in the capital, Tirana, with stark images of Myrtollari and two of her friends -- Denisa Mneri and Lola Monro -- in stylised poses against the crumbling walls and eerie stairwells of a former prison. Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP
Albanian transgender Luana, poses in military dress during a photo shooting session, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac
Albanian transgender Luana, poses in military dress during a photo shooting session, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time. They have launched a photo exhibition in the capital, Tirana, with stark images of Myrtollari and two of her friends -- Denisa Mneri and Lola Monro -- in stylised poses against the crumbling walls and eerie stairwells of a former prison. Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP
Albanian transgender Lola, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac
Albanian transgender Lola, puts her makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, prior to a photo shoot on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues. After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time. They have launched a photo exhibition in the capital, Tirana, with stark images of Myrtollari and two of her friends -- Denisa Mneri and Lola Monro -- in stylised poses against the crumbling walls and eerie stairwells of a former prison. Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP
Albanian transgenders Lola (L) and Luana (R), put their makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, prior to a photo shoot on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time.
Albanian transgenders Lola (L) and Luana (R), put their makeup on, in the former Communist-era maximum security prison for political prisoners in Spac, prior to a photo shoot on May 17, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time. They have launched a photo exhibition in the capital, Tirana, with stark images of Myrtollari and two of her friends -- Denisa Mneri and Lola Monro -- in stylised poses against the crumbling walls and eerie stairwells of a former prison. Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP
Albanian transgender Denisa, speaks during an interview in a street of Tirana’s city center on May 20, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time
Albanian transgender Denisa, speaks during an interview in a street of Tirana’s city center on May 20, 2021. For the first time, four transgender women decided to participate in an Exhibition "Being Transgender in Albania" to fight the stigma and increase awareness on trans issues.After years of isolation, she and others in the transgender community decided to confront taboos in the open for the first time. They have launched a photo exhibition in the capital, Tirana, with stark images of Myrtollari and two of her friends -- Denisa Mneri and Lola Monro -- in stylised poses against the crumbling walls and eerie stairwells of a former prison. Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP

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