What We Want to Know
When we’re travelling to a new destination as a lesbian couple, there are a few things we take into consideration to figure out how lesbian friendly it is. We like to know what the LGBTQ+ laws are in that country, as well as what the social climate is. In some places the laws and the feelings of the local people don’t necessarily match. We also like to know if there are any “gaybourhoods” or areas that are especially lesbian friendly. This blog series is meant to inform other lesbian travellers about different destinations around the world, and help empower them to travel more openly when it is safe to do so. We will be sharing our experiences in each country as well as our recommendations, but as always we encourage everyone to do their own research. We can only speak to our own experiences, and everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to being out and open while travelling. The travel destinations that an LGBTQ+ person chooses, and the way in which they travel is a very personal decision, and we encourage everyone to only do what feels right to them.
Keep reading to find out how lesbian friendly Switzerland is!
LGBTQ+ Laws
Switzerland has progressive laws in regards to LGBTQ+ people, but there is still work to be done. Same sex sexual activity is legal and has been since 1942, and while there are legal registered partnerships for same sex couples, there is no marriage equality. There have been initiatives to legalize same sex marriage, and there is an act, which is expected to be presented to parliament in February 2019 for deliberation. Hopefully we will be seeing marriage equality in Switzerland next year! There is some discrimination protection in place for LGBTQ+ people, and there is a pending bill that would outlaw all discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It seems safe to say that we will continue to see great progress in Swiss laws. To read more about the current laws in Switzerland, click here.
Social Climate
Public opinion is becoming increasingly in favour of the LGBTQ+ community, with a recent Pew Research Centre Poll showing 75% of Switzerland citizens supporting same sex marriage. Attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people seem quite positive, and the country ranked #9 on the Gay Happiness Index. There are active LGBTQ+ organizations as well as Pride events, and the mayor of the country’s largest city, Zurich, is openly lesbian. Similar to other countries in Western Europe, Switzerland seems to accept and support the LGBTQ+ community.
Gaybourhoods
The biggest LGBTQ+ scene in Switzerland is definitely in the city of Zurich. It’s home to many gay bars and establishments, and hosts a large Pride celebration each year. There is a smaller, but still relevant gay scene in the city of Geneva, and even smaller gaybourhoods in the cities of Basel, Bern, Lucerne, and Lausanne. Like other cities, the nightlife is geared mostly toward gay men, but there are a lot of mixed venues that are inclusive of lesbian women. If you’re looking for gay culture in Switzerland, you have a good list of options!
Our Experience
We really enjoyed our time in Switzerland. We drove through some rural areas of the country, and spent some time in the city of Geneva. Like other countries in Western Europe, we felt really comfortable being out and open as a lesbian couple. Like other places, rural areas in Switzerland tend to be more conservative than the cities, but we felt safe everywhere we went. In the city of Geneva we held hands while walking down the street, and showed affection to one another without any fear for our safety. The city seemed to be very open and welcoming, and we would consider it to be very lesbian friendly. We would definitely recommend Switzerland to other lesbian coupes and lesbian travellers and we wouldn’t hesitate to return!
Have you been to Switzerland? Share your experience in the comments below!
View our library of How Lesbian Friendly Is… articles here!
