Swiss canton of Ticino holds its first Gay Pride event
Nearly 7,000 people took part Saturday in the first Swiss Gay Pride event organised in the southern, Italian-speaking canton of Ticino.
This content was published on
2 minutes
SDA-ATS/RTS/jc
Speaking after the parade in the city of Lugano, foreign minister Ignazio Cassis condemned any violent or discriminatory attitude based on sexual preference. He said he is aware that homosexuality is illegal in more than 70 countries and is sometimes punishable by death.
And he stressed the role Switzerland can play in defending human rights regardless of sexual orientation. “A few days ago, I raised the issue with a delegation from Belorus,” he told the crowd. “The opening of a Swiss embassy in Minsk is also linked to the acceptance of homosexual people.”
Cassis, who hails from Ticino, said he was struck by the “beauty of this joyous, colourful, peaceful crowd” and the way they had been welcomed by the population. “Our society has evolved a lot in 20 years,” he remarked. “When I was a doctor in Ticino dealing with AIDS, talking about that illness or homosexuality was taboo.”
He also praised the “courage” of the Lugano authorities and organisers for holding the parade in Ticino which is “traditionally rather conservative and catholic”.
The parade provoked protest from some conservative catholics, but they did not obtain permission to hold a counter-demonstration.
This year there was no particular political message, since “the time is not right”, according to the organisers.
The event, which draws gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender people from all over Switzerland, took place last year in Bern.
Swiss national science foundation funded over 5,000 projects in 2023
This content was published on
In 2023, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) provided a total of CHF961 million worth of funding towards research projects.
Switzerland invites 160 delegations to June Ukraine peace talks
This content was published on
Russia is currently not among the delegations invited to talks aimed at helping bring about peace in the conflict between Moscow and Ukraine.
Survey: air travel most popular way to go on holidays for Swiss
This content was published on
Despite the climate crisis, flying is the most popular mode of transport for private travel – particularly among young, urban and high-income travellers.
Swiss government to use phone data to identify asylum seekers
This content was published on
From April 2025, authorities plan to be able to analyse data from mobile phones, computers and other data carriers to identify asylum seekers.
Young undocumented migrants gain easier access to vocational training
This content was published on
Rejected asylum-seekers and young undocumented migrants in Switzerland will have easier access to basic vocational training from June 1.
Migration: Swiss government wants to shorten reunification period for families
This content was published on
Family members of people temporarily admitted to Switzerland should in future be able to join them after two years instead of three.
This content was published on
2023 was a record year for the Rhaetian Railway in several respects. Never before has the narrow-gauge railway in Graubünden, eastern Switzerland, transported so many passengers and cars.
As countries tighten transgender protections, will Switzerland follow?
This content was published on
As many countries introduce more legal protections for transgender people, Swiss politicians are examining introducing similar measures.
This content was published on
Gay or lesbian parents are almost non-existent in the Swiss mainstream media, unlike in the United States. But are things changing?
Swiss transgender group launches campaign against workplace discrimination
This content was published on
Transgender Networks Switzerland (TGNS) have launched a nationwide “Trans Welcome” campaign to combat discrimination against transgender people at work.
This content was published on
Laws on reproductive rights in Switzerland face a test amid the growing use of online sperm banks and greater acceptance of non-traditional families.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.