A LGBTQ Pride parade in Geneva in 2019.
Keystone / Martial Trezzini
At an average of almost three cases per week, reported anti-LGBTQ discrimination in Switzerland reached a record level in 2022. But unreported cases mean the true extent is difficult to assess, rights groups said on Wednesday.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/dos
Español
es
Unas 134 agresiones anti-LGBTQ registradas en 2022
Almost a third of the reports to a helpline last year came from trans people, most of them non-binary, various groups wrote on Wednesday to mark an International Day Against Homo, Bi, and Transphobia.
The previous year, 92 cases were recorded by the lesbian organization Switzerland (LOS), the Transgender Network Switzerland (TGNS) and Pink Cross.
The rise in 2022 is partly due to increased hostility in politics and the media towards LGBTQ groups, and especially towards non-binary people, the groups said.
They are particularly concerned about rising reports of attacks on transgender people. And even if the true number of cases here is difficult to assess – many go unreported – the most elementary rights of trans and non-binary people are increasingly publicly questioned, the organisations said.
They specifically mentioned the statement last year by outgoing finance minister Ueli Maurer, who said he didn’t mind who succeeded him, as long as the person was not an “it” (i.e. non-binary). Maurer later said his comment was a deliberate provocation at a time of societal “decadence”.
Such attitudes are fatal to the safety and mental health of trans people, the associations said on Wednesday.
Popular Stories
More
Aging society
Is Switzerland repeating England’s housing mistakes?
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
EPFL launches digitised version of Battle of Murten panorama
This content was published on
To mark the anniversary of the Battle of Murten on 22 June 1476, the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) has launched a website that offers the public an immersive experience of the huge panorama painting of the historic battle.
77th Swiss Gymnastics Festival praised for ‘positive energy’
This content was published on
The 77th Federal Gymnastics Festival drew to a close on Sunday in Lausanne, after eleven days of popular celebration and sporting performances.
This content was published on
Emergency crews contained the oil and began removing some of the pollution from the water’s surface, said the St Gallen cantonal police on Sunday.
Switzerland lifts sanctions on Syria after Assad’s fall
This content was published on
Switzerland is lifting economic sanctions on Syria, but targeted measures against figures linked to the former regime remain in place.
Thousands march in Bern calling for Gaza ceasefire
This content was published on
More than 10,000 people – or up to 20,000, according to organisers – marched through central Bern on Saturday afternoon in support for Gaza.
Zurich Pride draws large crowds amid financial strain
This content was published on
Following US President Donald Trump’s attacks on diversity initiatives, Zurich Pride fears more sponsors could pull out and is now facing financial difficulties.
Switzerland ‘deeply alarmed’ by Middle East escalation
This content was published on
Switzerland has voiced serious concern over rising tensions in the Middle East, and the UN chief says he is ‘alarmed’ by US strikes on Iran.
Switzerland among world’s most expensive for household electricity
This content was published on
According to a study by the comparison site Verivox, based on data from Global Petrol Prices, Switzerland came in tenth out of 143 countries.
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.