ALBANIA PLANS TO LEGALISE GAY MARRIAGE

The government of Albania says that it plans to legalise same-sex marriage in the small South Eastern European country.

This comes after the Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights highlighted the problems faced by gay, lesbian, trans and bisexual people in Albania. Until 1995, homosexuality carried a ten-year prison sentence in the country.

Albania’s Prime Minister Sali Berisha told cabinet members that passing a law to legalise gay marriage was an important move against discrimination. The country is hoping to join the European Union.

Although the government has admitted the move is controversial, Berisha’s Democrats, who control 74 of parliament’s 140 seats, are expected to be able to pass the law.