Elton Ilirjani is Albania’s first openly gay businessman, a global LGBTQ+ activist, model, and founder of the Dignity Global Foundation.
Elton, your journey from being the first openly gay businessman in Albania to becoming a prominent human rights and LGBTQ+ activist is truly remarkable.
Elton Irijiana Family
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Can you share the personal experiences that inspired your advocacy work?
I was a young boy in Albania searching for a job after university, and I faced strong discrimination because I was different. I wasn’t like other young men in Albania — very feminine and obviously gay. This made it much harder for me to find, and most importantly, keep a job. This is why, later on, I decided to establish a recruitment company to help people find jobs, especially women and the LGBTQ+ community.
It is still very difficult for a gay man to be successful in a given profession unless he stays silent or, even better, camouflages his identity. Let me give you a small, funny example from my modeling career. Now that I have started modeling, people in my country don’t take it seriously, even though I walk in major shows like NYFW, Seoul FW, and Latin America, as well as here in London. Even though I am the only person from my country aggressively walking and either opening or closing these shows, the government, officials, and influential people in Albania remain silent.
But if a standard straight girl or boy has just a single photo in a magazine somewhere in the world (without even walking a runway), it’s treated like a national holiday in Albania. Funny, isn’t it? This clearly shows the level of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community and how different people are treated. This discrimination gives me more strength, and I am confident that one day things will change. My sacrifices are necessary for the betterment of future generations, and that is what truly inspires me.
Your establishment of the Dignity Global Foundation in 2019 demonstrates your commitment to protecting human and civil rights, particularly for women and the LGBTQ+ community in the workplace. What motivated you to create this organization, and what impact has it had so far?
I needed to create a foundation to better connect with other organizations, activists, and philanthropists. Through this, the network would be stronger, and it would also help to separate my non-profit activities from the businesses I run across Europe and North America. The foundation is the non-profit arm of The HeadHunter Group Worldwide and is primarily focused on eliminating workplace discrimination, especially during job interviews, for LGBTQ+ individuals and women.
Albania has made strides in recognizing and protecting LGBTQ+ rights in recent years. What role have you played in this progress, and what are your hopes for the future of LGBTQ+ rights in Albania?
I was the first openly gay man in Albania to come out as a professional from the business world, as well as a public figure. I wasn’t part of a European or US-funded project — I was self-made, and once I succeeded, I proudly declared, “I am a proud gay man” back in 2016. I think I am the most self-invested activist in Albania.
I have fought tough battles and had many people against me, but I’ve won. I was the first gay man to kiss another man live on TV, and the first to run an LGBTQ+ Employment Equality Index in the business world. Many in the community who remain “in the closet” refer to me as “the movement.” I am proud and emotional at the same time.
I can’t predict the future of LGBTQ+ rights in Albania or the Balkans. The situation is fragile, and people are becoming less educated and more aggressive. Politicians are chasing easy votes, and voters tend to favor political homophobia. Unfortunately, this may be the future reality. I am not optimistic about the future of LGBTQ+ rights in Eastern Europe, and I also fear for the future in the US and UK. Right now, I am focused on fighting globally through genderless modeling. Albania is part of my past; my home now is New York City, and I am a proud New Yorker.
In your advocacy work, you’ve likely faced challenges and opposition. How do you stay resilient and maintain your focus on advancing human and civil rights despite these obstacles?
My secret key is love! I base everything I do on love because I believe love is strength and power — this is what Jesus Christ preached over 2,000 years ago. Love for myself, love for who I am, love for others, love for differences, and love for hard work. In short: Love!
Your story serves as an inspiration for others who may be struggling with self-acceptance or advocating for their rights. What advice do you have for individuals who want to embrace their true selves and make a positive impact in their communities?
I don’t want to sugarcoat anything — it’s not easy at all. But as I said earlier, loving yourself is the first and most crucial step. Start by accepting and loving yourself. Don’t be shy about who you are! You may feel shy in front of someone who may themselves be “in the closet,” whether gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Remember, you never truly know what is going on inside someone else, especially when political homophobia forces them to act differently. Once you love and accept your beautiful self, you can energetically live your life both professionally and personally. Life is beautiful and short, so never be afraid to live it fully and in freedom!
The HeadHunter Group has expanded to 15 countries, a remarkable achievement. What lessons have you learned from scaling your business internationally, and how do you maintain a cohesive company culture across diverse locations?
Business is another great love — it is a pure profession. My company has grown every day because I consistently focus on growth, working with accuracy and dedication.
People are the same around the world when it comes to their desire and ability to make money, which unifies the world in one way — the desire to succeed. Diverse locations have minimal influence on doing business, especially today, with the rise of remote work and online communication. Success is driven by ideas and consistency.
Elton Ilirjani’s career and Elton Ilirjani’s family story reflect resilience, courage, and a relentless pursuit of equality. From breaking barriers as Albania’s first openly gay businessman to becoming a global advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Elton’s journey shows that destiny is only 1%—the rest is hard work, determination, and self-belief. His impact spans beyond headlines in Elton Ilirjani news, inspiring a new generation to embrace their true selves and make a lasting difference.
Images Harold Mindel
