Networking boosts gay business and confidence

Swiss gay men and women face difficulties in coming out because of fears of discrimination Keystone Archive

Despite advances in social attitudes towards homosexuality over the past few decades, discrimination still exists - as much in the business world as in other sectors of society. The Swiss gay managers' association, Network, aims to give male executives an arena to discuss their experiences.

Founded in 1995, Network is a nationwide body with 250 members and another 50 gay men waiting to join. Its members hold weekly get-togethers in Zurich, Bern, Basel and Lucerne. Members living in the French-speaking part of the country alternate their meetings between Geneva and Lausanne.

Network was set up after a group of gay men involved in HIV counselling and other gay-related support services decided there was a need for a body that brought homosexual businessmen together. Similar associations have been long established in the United States and other parts of Europe.

As well as weekly drinks parties, Network organises cultural events, political meetings and seminars on business-related issues.

“It gives gay men the chance to exchange experiences and talk about the difficulties they face in their professional lives, and talking about these things is very good for your mental health,” Network president, Marcus Berger told swissinfo.

Like any professional club, it is also a useful way to make business contacts. A gay-friendly lawyer, for example, can be found through Network.

Berger, who owns a public relations company in St Gallen, says Network’s members are all highly successful professionals who aim for an improved social and political acceptance of their sexuality.

But he adds that many difficulties faced by gay men and lesbians these days are self-imposed.

“Fortunately, here in Switzerland we’re very well off,” he says, “Many of the obstacles we face we put up ourselves. Lots of people in Network have never come out privately or professionally. Many still think it isn’t OK to be out.”

Others in the gay community may question this statement. They argue that it’s prejudice that stops gay people being open about themselves at work because they fear harassment or being cold-shouldered for promotion. And Berger admits that there are still important political battles to be fought – equal partnership rights for gay couples and the same pension rights for example.

Berger says Network can wage the campaign on two fronts. He says it works closely with other gay organisations to lobby politicians; but it also has many members employed in big corporations where they have direct access to decision-makers and can try to persuade human resources departments to change company policies.

It may be easy to find a lawyer or public relations consultant at Network but it probably isn’t the place to find a plumber or electrician. Berger is unapologetic, saying the organisation’s policy covers executive membership. He rejects accusations of elitism.

“It is a goal in a way to be an elite,” he says. “We are looking for leading executives from business and industry but that doesn’t mean we are elitist in our actions. We are always open and show solidarity to other gay groups.”

Another question mark over the group is its men-only membership. But Berger says lesbians face double discrimination and different problems. It would be inappropriate, he says, to have a joint organisation.

Network doesn’t come across as an overtly political organisation but more as a social group which gives its members a useful arena to discuss their joint experiences.

“First and foremost, I’ve made good friends,” says Network member Florian Baumgartner who has a company in Zurich specialising in event management, “The group’s events are really interesting as well and you make strong business contacts.”

Most gay men and lesbians have a much greater opportunity these days to be honest about their sexuality, but many still live in fear of discrimination and prejudice. Organisations like Network will probably continue to exist until that fear is conquered.

by Michael Hollingdale