The Local Switzerland

Switzerland divided ahead of homophobia referendum

Thu, 06 Feb 2020 10:51:51 +0100

For gay rights campaigner Jean-Pierre Sigrist, the new law being voted on in a referendum in Switzerland on Sunday might have stopped him getting beaten up four decades ago.

Swiss Protestant church supports gay marriage

Fri, 08 Nov 2019 13:05:40 +0100

The Federation of Protestant Churches of Switzerland (FEPS) announced that it supports civil marriage between same-sex individuals.

Why same-sex marriage just got a big step closer to reality in Switzerland

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 11:34:13 +0100

On a hugely symbolic date (Valentine’s Day), Switzerland made an important move towards making same-sex marriages legal. Here is what happened.

Switzerland drops down European gay rights ranking

Thu, 18 May 2017 12:50:51 +0200

Switzerland has fallen three places in the latest Rainbow Europe annual review of gay rights.

Priests to protest Swiss Pride march with Latin prayers

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 10:04:52 +0200

Thousands of people are expected to gather in the picturesque Swiss city of Fribourg this weekend to take part in French-speaking Switzerland’s 15th annual Pride event.

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.

Gays file criminal complaint against bishop

Mon, 10 Aug 2015 10:05:50 +0200

Pink Cross, the Swiss Gay Federation, is filing a criminal complaint against Vitus Huondor, the Catholic Bishop of Chur, alleging that he made “homophobic comments” while quoting passages from the Bible that call for homosexuals to be put to death.

Same-sex marriage 'backed by most Swiss'

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 09:40:00 +0100

A majority of Swiss back gay and lesbian marriage, according to the results of surveys published on Sunday by two weeklies.

Swiss gays recognized as parents of child

Mon, 25 Aug 2014 23:53:00 +0200

In a historic decision for Switzerland, a court in the canton of Saint Gallen has recognized a gay couple as the legal parents of a child born in the United States to a surrogate mother.

Russia pledges Winter Olympics 'open to all'

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 18:28:00 +0200

Russia has pledged that the 2014 Winter Games will be open to all, despite its controversial anti-gay law, the Lausanne-based International Olympic Committee said on Thursday.

Gays win limited support for adopting kids

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:23:00 +0100

The lower house of parliament has voted to allow gays in Switzerland to adopt children, but in very limited circumstances, passing the sensitive issue back to the Senate.

Gay sperm donor frozen out by lesbian mums

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:45:00 +0100

Four years ago, Peter Conti donated sperm to lesbian friends. He was promised a role in the upbringing of the child, but those promises were never met.

Gay trips to Islamic countries anger Swiss Muslims

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:32:00 +0200

Swiss Muslim leaders have reacted angrily after it was reported that a travel agency specializing in holidays for gay people is organizing tours of Muslim countries.