Across the Western Balkans, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual and Intersex (LGBTI) people are fighting for their rights to lead a normal life. While there have been laws and measures passed to criminalize discrimination, violent acts and hate speech based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI), there is much more that needs to be done in order to achieve full recognition and equality.

The reports for Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, the formery Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia present a comprehensive review and analysis of the impacts of the legal, institutional, policy, social, cultural and economic environment on LGBTI people.

Albania
There have been substantial legal protections in the area of anti-discrimination. However, discrimination against LGBTI people persists in other areas. These include denial of the right to marry and have a family; the right of reassigned gender surgery for transgender people; and the right to self-determination in relation to bodily integrity for intersex people.

Bosnia & Herzegovina
LGBTI activism over the past few years has resulted in significant improvements in the institutional, legal and public policy framework for the protection of human rights of LGBTI people. Nevertheless, LGBTI people and their lives remain on the margins of the political, institutional and social mainstream.

Serbia
Serbia has adopted a wide anti-discriminatory legal framework. However, there are legal gaps that leave the rights of LGBTI people unregulated, including the rights of same-sex partners and access to documents for trans people.

The former Yugoslav Republic of MacedoniaOver the past 10 years there has been a decline in the protection of the rights of LGBTI people in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. LGBTI people in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are exposed to stigmatization, discrimination and isolation due to many factors.