City of Biel launches campaign against homophobia and transphobia
"Divers BielBienne" is the name of a campaign against homophobia and trans-hostility in public spaces, which was launched by Biel's city government on Friday. The campaign aims to contribute to Biel being perceived as a city in which no one is discriminated against because of their gender or sexual orientation.
As the city administration announced on Friday, the campaign is based on posters featuring well-known Biel/Bienne residents. They promote tolerance and solidarity with queer people. These people include the singer Caroline Alves, the tiktoker Naswyn and the SVP member of parliament and city councillor Sandra Schneider.
Website with testimonials
On the other hand, the city administration has developed a new Website is published. There, people talk about their experiences with this topic. There are also legal bases and information on help and advice centers. The city of Biel has also set up a reporting office for people who have experienced or observed discrimination.
The aim is to make the problem visible to the public and encourage people to help others in discriminatory situations, writes the Biel municipal council. Biel is a "diverse city" that draws on its diversity. The municipal council has set out this vision in the Biel 2030 strategy and intends to implement it.
Campaign also in Valais
In mid-January, the canton of Valais also announced that it was launching a campaign against homophobia and transphobia. In addition, a new position on this topic will be created at the Office for Equality and Family Affairs. A report had shown that LGBTIQ+ people in particular are less mentally healthy than the rest of the population.
The analysis found, for example, that there is more addictive behavior and a two to five times higher risk of suicide attempts in this group. LGBTIQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people. (SDA)
