Tag Archives: zurich

Niklaus, Zurich, Switzerland

photo by Kevin Truong

Niklaus, in his own words: ” I have always seen my sexuality as only a part of my being human. Defining myself only through my sexuality seemed limited and restricting and didn’t feel right. So being gay means to me that I have a deep sense of respect for other people and I probably have a better understanding of feeling different from the rest. Therefore I’m trying not to discriminate or judge people for their choices and I am grateful to have been born into a family that taught me to treasure and respect the opinions of others.

Life is a continuos maelstrom of challenges and successes, I guess. My answer is: A lot and hopefully many more…

(With regards to coming out) Was 16. Told my mother and brother first, my father later the same night. Everybody was supportive and proud that I was able to come out to them. Boring, really.

The gay community in Zurich is as multifaceted and colorful as a rainbow.”

Samuel, Actor, Zurich, Switzerland

photo by Kevin Truong

Samuel, in his own words: “Being gay doesn’t actually mean a lot to me, cause for me it is totally a normal thing. I’m happy to feel love for someone and it doesn’t matter if this person is a man or a woman.

A big challenge in life for me is to accept. I’m a very sensitive person and I truly love when I really love. So there is no way anything would break that love except the other one decides to go it’s own way without me. My partner for life left me last summer and I will never forget him, but I will have to get pass him. This is a very hard time for me right now, but I will also succeed and manage it one day. I’m very happy to make my money from singing and acting. I wasn’t sure about that first, but since I am able to live from that, I feel very privileged. This is the biggest energy, that keeps me going on and on and on.

I never really had to come out myself. When I was younger I was always with girls, but then I fell in love with my best male friend… everyone knew and even when my parents asked me on a Sunday brunch if I was in love with him. It was simply clear.

I’m a traveler and not really into the gay scene, so I don’t really know a lot about (the gay scene in Zurich). There are some gay clubs and bars, but I barely go there. I’m the total private party lover.

(Advice to my younger self) don’t lose yourself. Always focus on yourself first and keep on holding to that, especially when you’re in a relationship. You will always be successful if you just belief in you!”

Martin Naef, Member of Parliament, Zurich, Switzerland

photo by Kevin Truong

Martin, in his own words: “(Being gay) is my life, I can’t imagine not being gay actually. That’s what I am.

(The LGBTQ community in Switzerland) is a very old one, it’s a traditional one, it’s a tiny one. Switzerland, being in the heart of Europe, has lots of tourist coming here. Zurich, especially, and Geneva are very liberal cities, it’s nice for gay people here.

(There are still) political challenges, we want total equality. We don’t have it, we almost have it, but that is the biggest challenge, but in the normal daily life it is quite good.

When I think of the last twenty or thirty years there has been a lot of changes (in Switzerland). (LGBTQ) people used to be in a sort of ghetto, which was the community, now it is mixing up. Society has changed a lot. It is quite a liberal society, nobody has a problem even when you are at work and tell them you’re gay or bring along your boyfriend. That’s changed a lot. I think that wouldn’t have been possible twenty years ago. And so in Switzerland we had a public poll about gay rights and gay marriage and more than 64% saying yes to this, which is amazing.

20 years ago when I came out and started working as a politician it was quite sensational. But now even the mayor of Zurich is an open lesbian and it’s nothing special anymore. Even from the conservative parties, there are now some openly gay people in the Parliament, some colleagues of mine, this wouldn’t have been possible just ten years ago.

I still think that it is important to talk to people, not just going to the internet. I’m working for several gay organizations and we have lots of phone calls and personal discussions, that’s what people really need now, when they’re 16 or 17 years old and coming out, to have contact and speak with people, not just to chat on the internet.”

THE GAY MEN PROJECT

The visual catalog of gay and queer men around the world.

Tag Archives: zurich

Niklaus, Zurich, Switzerland

Samuel, Actor, Zurich, Switzerland

Martin Naef, Member of Parliament, Zurich, Switzerland