Xheni is one of the most influential LGBTI+ activists and feminists in Albania and the Western Balkan region. Since 2009, under her leadership, Aleanca LGBTI has grown into a cornerstone of the Albanian LGBTI+ movement, supporting up to 500 community members across the country every year and remaining one of the driving forces behind Tirana Pride, which Xheni helped launch in 2012 with Albania’s first-ever Pride Parade.
Xheni made history when she became the first woman in Albania to come out publicly as a lesbian during a live television debate, a moment that transformed her overnight into the most visible spokesperson for the community. This visibility has also exposed her to hate speech, harassment, and death threats. Despite the threats, she has remained unwavering in her mission to dismantle prejudice and transform public perceptions. In recognition of her courage and impact, she was named Human Rights Defender of the Year (2020) by Civil Rights Defenders.
Beyond community empowerment, Xheni has been at the forefront of systemic change. She co-founded and serves on the board of STREHA, Albania’s first residential shelter for homeless and ostracized LGBTI+ youth—the first of its kind in the Balkans—offering safety and dignity to more than 200 young people from Albania and Kosovo who were disowned by their families. She has also been a tireless advocate for legal reform, pushing for stronger anti-discrimination laws, the recognition of same-sex unions and gender recognition, and equal rights for same-sex parents.
As a feminist leader, Xheni has actively mobilized women, co-organized the annual March 8th feminist protest, and built cross-movement alliances to challenge patriarchal norms, combat gender-based violence, and amplify women’s voices in public life.
