LGBT persons are disadvantaged in Switzerland in health terms, particularly with regard to their mental health and sexual health and in matters of substance consumption. Greater consideration should be given to LGBT persons in national healthcare strategies and programmes. The data obtained on sexual orientation and gender identity in nationwide surveys should also be improved.
Discrimination affects health
The Federal Council formally approved the postulate report on the health of LGBT persons at its meeting of 9 December 2022. The Federal Council had been mandated to compile a report on the health of lesbian, gay and bisexual persons by the Swiss Parliament under the Marti Postulate (19.3064). To this end, the FOPH commissioned the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts to compile a research report on the health of LGBT persons. In addition to sexual orientation, the report also paid due regard to the gender identity of the persons concerned. The report was based on a review of the relevant literature on the subject, the Swiss Health Survey and an online survey of LGBT persons. Several parties active on LGBT issues were also involved in its compilation.
The report illuminated inequalities between LGBT persons and the rest of the Swiss population in health terms, particularly in the areas of mental health, substance use and sexual health. A number of the LGBT persons polled also reported experiences of discrimination when receiving healthcare services, and stated that they had sometimes refrained from seeking such services out of fear of discrimination and owing to their lack of confidence in the healthcare system.
The report from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, the postulate report and further information on the health of LGBT persons will be found below.
Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts research report (in German):
Postulate report: the postulate report on the health of LGBT people in Switzerland is only available in German or in French (full versions) and (as a summary) in Italian
The data available on LGBT persons
As recent Federal Council reports confirm, inadequate data are presently available on the health and social situation of LGBT persons in Switzerland. In view of this, the FOPH and the Federal Statistics Office (FSO) have been considering how questions on gender identity and sexual orientation may best be integrated into nationwide surveys.
A number of recommendations have now been formulated to this end, based on analyses of the literature available, statistical studies and interviews with LGBT organisations. These include developing consistent standards for collecting data on gender identity and sexual orientation and prioritising large-scale health surveys. The full report on this will now serve as a key information source and decision-making foundation for the federal offices concerned.
The report is available here (in German, summary in French and Italian):
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Promoting equity
Switzerland is firmly committed to combating any discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, in line with its broader domestic and foreign policy commitment to strengthening human rights. LGBTI issues have been the responsibility of the Federal Office for Gender Equality (FOGE) since 2024. In accordance with the Gender Equality Act, the FOGE pursues and promotes the equal status and treatment of all persons irrespective of gender in all areas of life, and is committed to the elimination of all forms of direct or indirect discrimination on the basis thereof. For further information, please see the corresponding press release of the Federal Council.
Last modification 26.02.2025