CARNAL NATION

The government of Albania has proposed a law that would allow same-sex marriages. Prime Minister Sali Berisha said that the law was an important move against discrimination.

Moving to legalize same-sex weddings is an even more radical step when you consider that only 14 years ago, homosexuality was punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Even today, there are virtually no visible gay or lesbian communities. A report last year concluded that in Albanian society, LGBT people "are routinely subject to intolerance, physical and psychological violence and seen by many as persons suffering from an illness."

Human rights lawyer Goran Miletic said that the new legislation is "encouraging for the LGBT community in Albania," but despite the fact that Berisha's party holds 74 seats out of 140 in parliament, he is pessimistic about the chances of it passing. Both Islamic and Catholic leaders have immediately voiced their opposition to the bill.

The bill was drawn up by a group of non-governmental organizations and accepted by Albania's Democratic Party. The legislation was even more surprising because PM Berisha is a conservative politician, with an agenda usually described as center-right. However, his motivations may be partly explained because Albania is seeking membership in the European Union, and legalizing gay marriage may help the country present a more progressive face to the other members of the EU.