The Local Switzerland

Hopes rise for gay marriage in Switzerland

Fri, 30 Jun 2017 17:16:24 +0200

Following the German parliament’s decision to legalize gay marriage, campaigners are hopeful a similar move will follow soon in Switzerland.

Switzerland lifts ban on gay men giving blood

Tue, 31 Jan 2017 10:47:10 +0100

From July 1st it will no longer be forbidden for men who have had sex with men to give blood – provided they have been celibate for the past 12 months.

Two homophobic attacks reported in Geneva park

Thu, 18 Aug 2016 14:31:55 +0200

A gay rights association in Geneva has warned people to take care following two suspected homophobic attacks in a city park.

Ban on gay men giving blood in Switzerland set to be lifted

Tue, 21 Jun 2016 13:24:51 +0200

Men who have had sex with other men should not automatically be barred from giving blood, the organization charged with securing Switzerland’s blood supply has said in a statement.

Pride Parade bangs the drum for LGBT rights

Sun, 12 Jun 2016 17:20:21 +0200

Rain didn’t dampen the festive atmosphere at the annual Zurich Pride parade that brought together 9,000 members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community on Saturday.

Report: Swiss lag behind Europe on gay rights

Tue, 10 May 2016 17:30:08 +0200

Switzerland has a dismal record when it comes to gay rights, according to a new report.

Gay scientists at CERN lab report repeated homophobia

Mon, 21 Mar 2016 18:25:18 +0100

Particles as well as world views have been colliding at the famous lab near Geneva as a group for gay scientists there have reported the "common occurrence" of people defacing their posters.

Gay teen forced into therapy ‘cure’ by Christian community

Mon, 14 Mar 2016 12:23:19 +0100

The practice of using therapy to ‘cure’ homosexuality is still happening in some communities in Switzerland, according to one gay man who was forced to undergo such treatment.

Swiss bishops: we are open to gay people

Thu, 03 Sep 2015 15:13:04 +0200

The Catholic church is open to all, regardless of sexuality, the Swiss Conference of Bishops has said in its first official statement since the controversial comments of Bishop Vitus Huonder at the end of July.

Bishop apologizes for anti-gay speech

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 11:26:54 +0200

The Bishop of Chur, Vitus Huonder, has apologized to gay people after citing controversial Bible passages in a speech he gave at a Catholic forum in Germany at the end of July.

Swiss bishop slammed over anti-gay speech

Mon, 03 Aug 2015 13:49:59 +0200

Switzerland's gay and lesbian community has reacted angrily after the ultra-conservative Bishop of Chur quoted passages from the Bible which condemn homosexuals to death.

Gay Cameroonian wins asylum in Switzerland

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 15:37:00 +0100

A gay man who fled Cameroon where homosexuality is considered a crime said on Tuesday he has won a tough fight, becoming one of a handful of people to get asylum in Switzerland based on sexual orientation.

Politician compares gay couples to cocaine

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:14:29 +0100

As Switzerland debates allowing gay and lesbian couples to adopt, a leading politician has caused consternation by comparing homosexuality to drug use.

Syphilis on the rise in Geneva

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:50:33 +0200

The number of people infected with the sexually transmitted disease syphilis doubled in the period 2006 to 2010 in the south-west canton, especially among the gay community, new figures show.

Swiss gays and heteros share love hopes

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 19:13:29 +0200

Homosexuals and heterosexuals in Switzerland share almost identical hopes and expectations for their romantic relationships, a new study has found.

Health 'checkpoints' launched to help gay men

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:47:11 +0200

A series of health centres specifically catering to the needs of gay men are being planned across Switzerland to help homosexuals deal with HIV issues, fear and psychological discomfort.

Liechtenstein approves gay unions

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:29:00 +0200

Liechtenstein has voted to officially recognize gay civil partnerships, in a law closely modelled on Switzerland's legislation.