LGBTIQ+ families and parenting in every form are legitimate

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A series of events and meetings, organised in partnership with numerous local associations and institutions, will explore the issues relating to the legal and social recognition of LGBTIQ+ families and parenting.

Since 2013, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia 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 and emotional orientation as well as gender identity and expression by means of a campaign combining public posters and a programme of events and meetings.

This year, it focusses on the diversity of family and parenting models observed within the LGBTIQ+ communities which, in the absence of legal, institutional and social recognition, have been – and still are – forced to invent new models. 

Founding a family in a different way

Despite certain progress made in recent times, such as the possibility of same-sex marriages and access to assisted reproductive technology (ART) for women of all orientations living in a couple, numerous obstacles continue to impede true equality. “In light of this situation, LGBTIQ+ people and communities have called on a certain amount of creativity to reinvent these traditional institutions of family and parenting. They continue to adopt original family organisations which differ from the predominant norms but which are just as legitimate,” insists Alfonso Gomez, Executive Councillor responsible for equality and diversity.

This new campaign therefore wants to make the different family models within the LGBTIQ+ communities more visible – single-sex and trans parenting, and the acceptance of young LGBTIQ+ people within their “biological” or chosen family, a particularly common family organisation within the LGBTIQ+ communities.

It also aims to make the local population more aware of the fact that these people and families continue to be subject to judgements, discrimination and violence. The Executive Councillor regrets that “unfortunately, our institutions still find it difficult to recognise the full legitimacy of these families outside the traditional norms.”

Six posters and an entire programme dedicated to celebrating family diversity

The poster campaign consists of six illustrations created by the talented artist Louiza, each representing one of the numerous forms of parenting and families observed in the LGBTIQ+ communities. Once again this year, the public poster campaign is accompanied by a programme of meetings, discussions, screenings, celebrations and workshops. 

The activities will begin on Sunday 7 May, International Family Equality Day, with a programme intended for children and families organised in collaboration with the umbrella association Familles arc-en-ciel and the LGBTQ+ families hub of the l'Association 360.

Organised for the people concerned and their loved ones, the evening of 8 May will provide an opportunity to learn more about accessibility to parenting for trans people while the families chosen will be the focus of the evening organised on 9 May. Workshops will take a fun, creative look at the tradition of the family meal.

Also on the agenda is a discussion with Gabrielle Richard, sociologist and author of the essay entitled “Faire famille autrement” (Binge Audio, 2022), to be held on 15 May with a view to deconstructing the myths surrounding pregnancy, the complementarity of the sexes in parental roles and the core nature of biological ties.

The rich and varied programme provides an opportunity to deconstruct, rethink and reinvent our representations of family and parenting in a thoughtful, open and benevolent manner which will be rounded off with the traditional commemorations of 17 May (ceremony dedicated to Bartholomé Tecia, decorating the Pont du Mont-Blanc and Palais Anna et Jean-Gabriel Eynard and illumination of the Jet d’eau). 

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