Society Around 80 percent of LGBTIQ people experience discrimination
Anti-queer violence and discrimination are omnipresent in public spaces. The "Hate Crime" report published by the LGBTIQ Helpline for the eighth time recorded 281 reports in the past year. This figure only represents the tip of the iceberg.
15.05.2026, 05:00
SDA
A recent study conducted in Geneva showed that more than 80 percent of LGBTIQ people had already experienced discrimination or violence in public spaces, according to the helpline's press release on Friday. In 2025, the number of reports had stabilized at a high level of 281. A provisional high of 309 reports was reached in 2024.
Two thirds of the reported incidents occurred in public spaces. These very often involved insults and harassment, whether in the form of words or gestures. The reports include 52 cases of discrimination and 45 cases of physical violence.
Almost two thirds of those affected reported psychological consequences. "Hate crime", i.e. hate crimes committed in institutional contexts such as at school, at work or in the healthcare sector, have particularly serious consequences. At ten percent, only a minority of reported hate crimes are reported to the police, mainly in cases of physical violence.
Action plan from the Federal Council
"Hate crime" against LGBTIQ people refers to insults and acts that are committed specifically because of a person's sexual orientation, gender identity or gender characteristics and are motivated by hatred, prejudice or rejection towards queer people. In January, the Federal Council adopted a national action plan against hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer people.
To mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on 17 May, the LGBTIQ umbrella organizations are calling for the number of unreported cases to be reduced and for cases to be reported at stophate.ch. The LGBTIQ helpline has been publishing the reports received annually since 2018.
