Country Overview
Switzerland
At a glance
Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?
Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?
Legal Gender Recognition Possible?
LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?
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The situation of LGBTIQ people in Switzerland is generally favorable. As of 2022, same-sex couples can marry and adopt. Trans people are allowed to change their legal gender markers on the basis of self-determination, although there is no legal recognition for nonbinary people, and trans refugees still struggle to access these legal gender changes. A majority of people in Switzerland support same-sex marriage. Several LGBTIQ Pride events are held annually, and politicians have been openly LGBTIQ. However, anti-LGBTIQ hate speech and discrimination remain serious issues, and the number of hate crimes increased by 50% between 2020 and 2021. Conversion practices against LGBTIQ people happen regularly and remain legal, although a motion to ban these practices on a national level is under consideration. Nonconsensual medical interventions on intersex children are also still legal.
Global Impact
Sub-Saharan Africa
Outright supports LGBTIQ organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and works with mainstream human rights organizations to respect human rights and influence positive changes in laws, policies, attitudes and beliefs that cause discrimination against LGBTIQ people.
United Nations
Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.
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Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.
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In the Middle East and North Africa, we partner with local groups in various countries as part of our international solidarity work. We also work with our local partners on different topics through capacity building, advocacy, research and holistic security.
Europe and Central Asia
Outright International partners with activists to fight for an end to human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Europe and Central Asia, where most of our work involves emergency responses to harassment, discrimination, violence, and most recently, Russia’s brutal and expanded invasion of Ukraine.
Americas
Our work in the Americas continues to build on the fundamental and positive transformation of human rights protections in recent years. We partner with groups in the Caribbean that focus on ending gender-based violence and eradicating discrimination against trans people.
Pacific
Our work in the Pacific aims to increase the visibility of activists, respond to human rights emergencies, and actively bridge local, regional, and international activism to achieve equality and justice.
Global
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Human Rights Research
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