Campaign against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia 2021: “My life, my city, my colours”

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Since 2013, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, held on 17 May, has provided the City of Geneva with the opportunity to make the local population more aware of the different forms of discrimination relating to sexual orientation and gender identity by means of a public poster campaign and specific actions. This year, it also explores issues relating to the access to public areas enjoyed by LGBTIQ+ people.

Under the banner “My life, my city, my colours”, the campaign highlights the colours of LGBTIQ+ pride in public areas and asserts the right of each individual to feel free and safe at all times wherever they may be. It is in line with the strategic objectives and thrusts developed by the LGBTIQ+ 2030 municipal strategy, approved by the Administrative Council of the City of Geneva in July 2020 and piloted by the Agenda 21-Sustainable City department. While addressing issues specific to the LGBTIQ+ communities, it naturally echoes the reflections raised as part of the Zero sexism in my city action plan, in particular those relating to the experience of women who are not exclusively heterosexual and cisgender.

Towards more egalitarian access to public areas

Despite a certain amount of progress, genuinely being able to be oneself in public, both in Switzerland and in Geneva, remains a key aim for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer individuals and those belonging to other gender or sexual minorities (LGBTIQ+). Numerous specific obstacles remain which prevent these people from enjoying common areas to the full and moving around them freely and in peace of mind, regardless of whether it is in the street, at festive happenings, at work or on the social networks. Numerous LGBTIQ+ people continue to feel insecure and are regularly and repeatedly faced with disapproving looks, hostile comments and even physical violence.

Alfonso Gomez, Administrative Councillor responsible for Equality and Diversity, stresses that, “while potential dangers undeniably remain, public areas are essential places where LGBTIQ+ people can meet, gather and assert themselves.” Events designed to increase the visibility of these people and allowing them to assert themselves, such as the Pride, have become more and more popular over the years and symbols in the LGBTIQ+ colours are increasingly widespread in our streets.

The colours of pride in the streets of Geneva

The visuals of the 2021 “My life, my city, my colours” campaign invite anyone and everyone to explore the colours of LGBTIQ+ pride which, for the people concerned, represent a means of asserting the subtleties of their identities and their belonging to specific groups. “Featuring associated people or institutions, they are a means of demonstrating solidarity and support while acknowledging the wide range of identities and the particularity of the needs of and challenges facing these groups,” continues Alfonso Gomez.

Thus, on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, held on 17 May, new more inclusive flags representative of the diversity of the LGBTIQ+ communities will complement the traditional rainbow banners on the Pont du Mont-Blanc and in front of the Palais Anna and Jean-Gabriel Eynard. These new flags are a first, both in Switzerland and worldwide.

Like every year, the public poster campaign will be accompanied by a programme of meetings, round tables and workshops developed in collaboration with numerous associative and institutional partners. Among these events, the round table addressing “LGBTIQ+ pride during quarantine? Remaining visible during the pandemic” will examine how to advocate, state claims, meet and gather when access to public areas is no longer possible. It should also be noted that a discussion will be held on 19 May based on the results of the pre-survey conducted by the DécadréE Institute on behalf of the City of Geneva with regard to the media treatment of LGBTIQ+ issues in French-speaking Switzerland. Self-defence courses for LGBTIQ+ people and a digital mapping workshop are also on the agenda.

More detailed information, the full programme and visuals are available for download at www.17mai-geneve.ch