Equality of LGBTIQ persons
In Switzerland, the equality of LGBTIQ persons before the law has improved in recent years: The scope of penal provisions against discrimination and incitement to hatred on grounds of sexual orientation has been extended, and it has become easier to register a different gender at the civil registry office, and marriage for same-sex couples has been introduced. Nevertheless, LGBTIQ persons continue to face disadvantages in different areas of life.
Switzerland is committed to combating discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sexual characteristics. This aligns with its domestic and foreign policy commitment to strengthening human rights.
Since 2024, the Federal Office for Gender Equality (FOGE) has been responsible for all matters relating to equality for LGBTIQ people at the federal level.
In this role, the office addresses specific parliamentary mandates and coordinates cooperation with other federal offices dealing with LGBTIQ issues. It also maintains contact with the cantons and communes that are actively addressing these issues and promotes dialogue with specialized and non-governmental organizations.
National action plan to combat hate crimes against LGBTIQ persons
On 28 January 2026, the Federal Council adopted the first national action plan to combat hate crimes against LGBTIQ persons 2026–2030 (NAP Hate Crimes LGBTIQ). With its three scopes of action – I. Support and protection, II. Prevention, and III. Monitoring – the national action plan aims to reduce hate crimes and other acts of violence and discrimination against LGBTIQ people and to protect their dignity, as well as to raise awareness among civil society and institutions.
The action plan follows on from postulate 20.3820 Barrile (available in German, French and Italian). To support it in its work, the FOGE has formed a support group comprising representatives of the Confederation, the cantons and relevant umbrella organisations.
The national action plan focuses on three scopes of action:
Support and protection
Objective: LGBTIQ victims of violence and hate crime receive appropriate treatment in the legal system. Reception and support structures for victims are adapted to deal with LGBTIQ persons, including young persons.
Prevention
Objective: The general public, professionals and volunteers are made aware of the issue, taking a transversal approach.
Monitoring
Objective: Monitoring is improved and strengthened to determine the scale of violence and hostilities and provide reliable data to guide policies and preventive action.
Measures
The national action plan to combat hate crimes against LGBTIQ persons includes 12 measures. On the one hand, it includes pragmatic and achievable short- and medium-term measures, such as organising a one-day training course on caring for LGBTIQ victims of violence, updating existing documentation on LGBTQ topics in sport and increasing its visibility. On the other hand, the national action plan aims to enshrine the protection and equality of LGBTIQ people in institutional and societal practices in the long term, in particular by improving access to emergency accommodation and assistance for victims of violence, measures to prevent violence in sport, and the nationwide roll-out of a tool for reporting violence and hate crimes.