More discrimination in public and on networks

Some might believe that recent legislative advances, such as marriage for all or the extension of the anti-discrimination criminal standard to sexual orientation, would have made it possible to change mentalities. However, in Switzerland as elsewhere, this progress “has been accompanied by a persistence, even an increase in “anti-gender” discourse (editor’s note: against feminists and LGBT) which circulates both in politics, in the media and in society, well beyond just the extreme right and conservative religious movements,” considers the University of Friborg (UniFR), which participates with that of Lausanne in the European RESIST program.

The latter, as part of its second report, looked at nine case studies, covering Germany, Belarus, Spain, France, Greece, Ireland, Poland, Switzerland and the people in exile. Around thirty were interviewed for each country. It emerges that: “Violence does not stop at public speeches, but “drips”, according to the expression of a Swiss participant, in daily life and in social relations”, reveal the researchers.

Furthermore, this discrimination against feminists and LGBT people does not stop in public. They are also present online. “Among those interviewed, several confided to us the additional burden these movements represent. The risk of facing torrents of hatred each time you open your mailbox or social networks obviously weighs heavily,” notes Ekaterina Filep, from UniFR.

In all countries studied, whether progressive or conservative, hate speech has significant effects on the mental and physical health of those targeted, with feelings of vulnerability leading to fear, fatigue and anxiety. But “it is obvious that feminists and LGBT people do not see themselves as simple passive victims,” explains Ekaterina Filep. They are actively engaged in actions aimed at challenging these discourses and policies, while seeking to create safer and more livable spaces for themselves.”

Questions or concerns related to sexual orientation or gender identity?