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S U B S C R I B E
WRS stories about gay
Dentists, fitness clubs on show at gay wedding fair
Monday, 26 March, 2012
Since 2007 gay and lesbian couples have been able get civil partnerships in Switzerland. Many celebrate them as they would a regular wedding. And just this past weekend Switzerland had its first ever same-sex wedding fair. Organizers started on a shoestring budget in a restaurant the town of Reigoldswil in the canton of Basel Country. But they think it could be the start of something big. Reporter Andrew Craven asked one of the organizers Alexandra Hanauer why a special fair for same-sex couples was needed:
Monday, 26 March, 2012
Since 2007 gay and lesbian couples have been able get civil partnerships in Switzerland. Many celebrate them as they would a regular wedding. And just this past weekend Switzerland had its first ever same-sex wedding fair. Organizers started on a shoestring budget in a restaurant the town of Reigoldswil in the canton of Basel Country. But they think it could be the start of something big. Reporter Andrew Craven asked one of the organizers Alexandra Hanauer why a special fair for same-sex couples was needed:
Lunch with WRS: Combating homophobia in schools
Wednesday, 29 February, 2012
An ad campaign in Geneva against homophobia in schools has started with a conference at the University of Geneva. Elisabeth Thorens-Gaud is head of the ad campaign and the attachée on questions of homophobia and diversity for the cantons of Vaud and Geneva. Kevin Jennings was invited to the conference and discusses creating a good environment for LBGT (lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender) students for succeeding in their studies. Jennings is former assistant deputy secretary of education in the Obama administration and founder of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network in the U.S. WRS’s Pete Forster talks to them about their work:
Wednesday, 29 February, 2012
An ad campaign in Geneva against homophobia in schools has started with a conference at the University of Geneva. Elisabeth Thorens-Gaud is head of the ad campaign and the attachée on questions of homophobia and diversity for the cantons of Vaud and Geneva. Kevin Jennings was invited to the conference and discusses creating a good environment for LBGT (lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender) students for succeeding in their studies. Jennings is former assistant deputy secretary of education in the Obama administration and founder of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network in the U.S. WRS’s Pete Forster talks to them about their work:
Gay rights groups applaud move towards child adoption
Thursday, 23 February, 2012
The Federal Council says that it is willing to make some movement in opening the door to gay adoption rights. The government says it is in favor of allowing gays and lesbians in a domestic partnership to adopt their partner’s child. However, they draw the line at allowing full-fledged adoption rights for gay couples. The issue is going to come up in parliament next month. WRS’s Jordan Davis has been following the issue:
Thursday, 23 February, 2012
The Federal Council says that it is willing to make some movement in opening the door to gay adoption rights. The government says it is in favor of allowing gays and lesbians in a domestic partnership to adopt their partner’s child. However, they draw the line at allowing full-fledged adoption rights for gay couples. The issue is going to come up in parliament next month. WRS’s Jordan Davis has been following the issue:
Clinton defends LGBT rights in Geneva speech
Wednesday, 7 December, 2011
Hillary Rodham Clinton is in Geneva to commemorate International Human Rights Day this weekend. The U.S. Secretary of State has also been meeting with members of the Syrian opposition, but in her speech at the United Nations, there wasn’t a word about the uprisings in the Arab world. She focused instead almost entirely on the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people. WRS’s Lucas Chambers reports:
Wednesday, 7 December, 2011
Hillary Rodham Clinton is in Geneva to commemorate International Human Rights Day this weekend. The U.S. Secretary of State has also been meeting with members of the Syrian opposition, but in her speech at the United Nations, there wasn’t a word about the uprisings in the Arab world. She focused instead almost entirely on the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people. WRS’s Lucas Chambers reports:
Swiss society 'not ready' for gay adoption?
Monday, 3 October, 2011
Last Friday, gay rights groups lost their battle to change the law to give equal adoption rights to same sex couples. The National Council rejected a petition which also argued gay couples should be able to adopt the children of their partner within a registered partnership. Currently, the Federal Registered Partnerships Act clearly bans that possibility. Gay associations estimate that between 6,000 and 30,000 children in Switzerland live in gay families. So what happens next? WRS’s Dave Goodman talks to Maria von Känel who is a member of the Committee for all Families which submitted the petition to the government and the Parliament. She is also vice president of Rainbow Families, a national association that seeks equal rights for gay families:
Monday, 3 October, 2011
Last Friday, gay rights groups lost their battle to change the law to give equal adoption rights to same sex couples. The National Council rejected a petition which also argued gay couples should be able to adopt the children of their partner within a registered partnership. Currently, the Federal Registered Partnerships Act clearly bans that possibility. Gay associations estimate that between 6,000 and 30,000 children in Switzerland live in gay families. So what happens next? WRS’s Dave Goodman talks to Maria von Känel who is a member of the Committee for all Families which submitted the petition to the government and the Parliament. She is also vice president of Rainbow Families, a national association that seeks equal rights for gay families:
Swiss People's Party's first gay MP holds to right-wing views
Monday, 30 May, 2011
Thomas Fuchs, an openly gay representative for Bern, is to be sworn in as one of three new members of parliament today. Fuchs is the first gay MP for the populist right-wing Swiss People’s Party. The party opposed the country’s civil unions law in 2005 and has a reputation for homophobia. But Fuchs hopes to show that you can be gay and still defend right-wing views. WRS’s Jordan Davis has this profile of the politician:
Monday, 30 May, 2011
Thomas Fuchs, an openly gay representative for Bern, is to be sworn in as one of three new members of parliament today. Fuchs is the first gay MP for the populist right-wing Swiss People’s Party. The party opposed the country’s civil unions law in 2005 and has a reputation for homophobia. But Fuchs hopes to show that you can be gay and still defend right-wing views. WRS’s Jordan Davis has this profile of the politician:
Zurich's gay library offers books and DVDs for niche market
Monday, 2 May, 2011
Zurich has its own gay library, called a Schwulbiothek, which in English means the equivalent of “gay-brary.” Run by HAZ, the Homosexual Working Group of Zurich, the library stores books and DVDs on everything from gay icons to the history of the condom. WRS’s Jo Fahy reports:
Monday, 2 May, 2011
Zurich has its own gay library, called a Schwulbiothek, which in English means the equivalent of “gay-brary.” Run by HAZ, the Homosexual Working Group of Zurich, the library stores books and DVDs on everything from gay icons to the history of the condom. WRS’s Jo Fahy reports:
Kids in Mind: What to do when a teen declares, 'I'm gay'
Monday, 28 March, 2011
When a teen declares he or she is gay, many parents feel that their child is just trying to be different, or they wonder if it’s their fault. But child psychotherapist Rachel Melville-Thomas points out that research shows that parents don’t influence sexual orientation. Her advice is to firstly buy yourself some time by saying, “I’m glad you told me:”
Monday, 28 March, 2011
When a teen declares he or she is gay, many parents feel that their child is just trying to be different, or they wonder if it’s their fault. But child psychotherapist Rachel Melville-Thomas points out that research shows that parents don’t influence sexual orientation. Her advice is to firstly buy yourself some time by saying, “I’m glad you told me:”
Dealing with homophobic violence in Geneva
Tuesday, 14 December, 2010
Following a number of homophobic incidents in Geneva, the city’s oldest gay association, Dialogai, has launched a survey to log all attacks against the community. The organisation is also collaborating with Geneva police to improve communication with gay people. WRS’s Conor Lennon speaks to Michael Häusermann, head of the health section of Dialogai and Patrick Pulh, spokesperson for the Geneva Police:
Tuesday, 14 December, 2010
Following a number of homophobic incidents in Geneva, the city’s oldest gay association, Dialogai, has launched a survey to log all attacks against the community. The organisation is also collaborating with Geneva police to improve communication with gay people. WRS’s Conor Lennon speaks to Michael Häusermann, head of the health section of Dialogai and Patrick Pulh, spokesperson for the Geneva Police:
Gay couples demand right to adopt
Wednesday, 16 June, 2010
Groups representing the gay and lesbian community have handed in a petition to parliament demanding adoption rights for gay couples. To bolster their demand, they’ve also published the results of an opinion poll which shows a majority of Swiss people are in favour of the move. WRS’s Vincent Landon reports:
Wednesday, 16 June, 2010
Groups representing the gay and lesbian community have handed in a petition to parliament demanding adoption rights for gay couples. To bolster their demand, they’ve also published the results of an opinion poll which shows a majority of Swiss people are in favour of the move. WRS’s Vincent Landon reports:
Emotions flare after 'Swiss' B&B in Britain refuses gay couple
Friday, 26 March, 2010
A gay couple have filed a complaint with police in Britain after being turned away from a Swiss-themed guesthouse. The owners of the Swiss Bed & Breakfast in Cookham, in the South East of England, refused to let them stay because the couple’s sexuality offended their religious beliefs. The inn’s stance may run afoul of British equality legislation—and it’s not doing any favours for the already beleaguered Swiss reputation for tolerance. WRS’s Mark Butcher called on our correspondent Olly Barratt in London for details:
Friday, 26 March, 2010
A gay couple have filed a complaint with police in Britain after being turned away from a Swiss-themed guesthouse. The owners of the Swiss Bed & Breakfast in Cookham, in the South East of England, refused to let them stay because the couple’s sexuality offended their religious beliefs. The inn’s stance may run afoul of British equality legislation—and it’s not doing any favours for the already beleaguered Swiss reputation for tolerance. WRS’s Mark Butcher called on our correspondent Olly Barratt in London for details:
Movie Week: Eyes Wide Open
Wednesday, 18 November, 2009
Israeli movie Eyes Wide Open has been described as “the first gay Jewish orthodox film”—a weighty subtitle for any film. Homosexuality is a major taboo in orthodox society, so controversy was guaranteed element to this story of a married man who falls in love with his 19-year-old apprentice. WRS’s Marc Menichini spoke to director Haim Tabakman; he started by asking him what attracted him to the story:
Wednesday, 18 November, 2009
Israeli movie Eyes Wide Open has been described as “the first gay Jewish orthodox film”—a weighty subtitle for any film. Homosexuality is a major taboo in orthodox society, so controversy was guaranteed element to this story of a married man who falls in love with his 19-year-old apprentice. WRS’s Marc Menichini spoke to director Haim Tabakman; he started by asking him what attracted him to the story:
