To be shocked that same-sex marriage isn’t legal in Switzerland?

[plodalong12]

They’re holding a referendum on it this month. I’m not Swiss, nor follow the goings-on in Switzerland but I (wrongly) assumed that same-sex marriage was legal there. For some reason I thought it was one of the first countries that legalised it.

Civil partnerships are already legal and have been for a while.

The vote is about whether the legal definitions (with all consequences regarding adoption/custody, post-divorce settlements, inheritance etc.) will be the same for both types of union.

The rural, conservative, xenophobic areas give the rest of us a bad name.

NI only legalised it last year.

And abortion in 2019. Everyone conveniently forgets NI when they want to act like the UK is progressive.

In others they are very very 'liberal'. They take a huge number of refugees and allow medical opiate use

Nope, they take a very limited number of refugees.

they have laws about hanging out your washing on a Sunday

South East England.

Our houses are restricted by a covenant, no washing visible at any time.

No pig keeping, either.

@Ylvamoon

In others they are very very 'liberal'. They take a huge number of refugees and allow medical opiate use

Nope, they take a very limited number of refugees.

They were #5 in Europe in 2014, on my tablet so I can't dive in. Well ahead of the EU28 as was.

they take a very limited number of refugees.

Anyone can move to Switzerland.

You just need to show evidence of £s in the bank (just property does not count, got to be cash).

In 1987 in Zurich areas, it was £1Million minimum. No idea how much now

I did not know this.
I suppose it isn't that long since the UK and Ireland done it, even later for NI.
It seems like it has been never been any different to me.
I'm aware it affected many same couples for decades/centuries.

Not allowed to make noise on a Sunday no diy no mowing lawns no putting bins out, we struggled with that one.

Civil partnership for same sex couples has been legal in Switzerland since 2007. That's 11 years before this was possible in England. Who's more conservative here?

Switzerland as a whole is a VERY conservative country. Not to say bigotted..... - a few years ago they banned minarets. Foreigners wanting to be naturalised can be rejected for very spurious reasons.

But it's not a uniform country. There is a huge difference between liberal cantons/cities like, say, Zürich, Basel, Geneva, and ultra-conservative areas like Uri, Schwyz and other cantons in the Alps, as well as some rural areas.

MrsTerryPratchett, you sound a bit defensive but I don't mean to have a massive go at Switzerland, just passing comment.

FinallyHere Our houses are restricted by a covenant, no washing visible at any time. I'm interested – are you in a listed/protected type area, can I ask?

No pig keeping, either. Bollocks

@G5000 civil partnerships became legal in England in 2004.

Swiss women didn't get the right to vote until the 1970s so this doesn't surprise me in the slightest. Switzerland is a very conservative country.

I once met a woman who lived in Switzerland, she told me they weren’t allowed to flush the toilet after 10pm.
I have no idea if it’s true, but it seems an odd thing to make up!

@plodalong12

I had no idea it was conservative and religious. Maybe I’ve got my countries mixed up I thought Switzerland was often cited as being liberal and open and leading the way on many things.

I have lived in Switzerland for over 20 years, and love living here - but it is VERY conservative and religious! It doesn't mean you have to be, but certainly many laws are centered on this (no shops open on Sundays for example; bells ring incessantly on Sunday mornings). Some apartment buildings, particularly rentals, do have rules about not using washing machines on Sundays (due to noise) - but I've my own apartment and machine and can wash away to my hearts content all Sunday long. AND hang out clothes

Its a country of contrasts - Healthy living, fresh air and exercise are a big part of life, but sun beds are VERY popular - and it's in the top ten countries in the world for skin cancer rates.
Swiss women only got the vote in 1971- but since 2000 there have been seven women Presidents.

I really hope the Marriage Equality bill goes through this month. It was only voted through in Ireland in 2015 though, and in Australia in 2017 (I think).

@Jaysmith71

Swiss women first got the vote in 1971, with the last Canton to ban them conceding in 1990.

I'm more shocked by this!

Just to add - Same sex civil partnerships have been recognized in Switzerland since 2005.

@nancy75

I once met a woman who lived in Switzerland, she told me they weren’t allowed to flush the toilet after 10pm. I have no idea if it’s true, but it seems an odd thing to make up!

I can well believe it. I've seen various Swiss tenancy agreements and they clearly specify the hours of the day when you can hoover.

@G5000

Civil partnership for same sex couples has been legal in Switzerland since 2007. That's 11 years before this was possible in England. Who's more conservative here?

I don’t think 2007 - 2005 = 11

Switzerland is an extremely conservative country. It wasn’t until 1990 that women had equal voting rights to men in every canton. It does not surprise me that they do not have same sex marriage.

@pinkcattydude

Not allowed to make noise on a Sunday no diy no mowing lawns no putting bins out, we struggled with that one.

Why the struggle? Sounds bliss - wish my bastard power tool loving neighbours lived by Swiss rules! I'd happily forgo a manicured lawn for a bit of weekend peace and quiet.

I'm glad I don't live in Switzerland , reading this thread has put me off!

Switzerland is quite conservative, they can also stop people becoming citizens for being a religion other than christian.

The marriage thing shouldn’t shock, being gay is still a crime in 72 countries and 12 of those countries enjoying killing us. Conversion therapy is also only illegal in 5 countries worldwide.

@the80sweregreat

I'm glad I don't live in Switzerland , reading this thread has put me off!

Really?

It's a much nicer place to live than the UK. My life is horrible thanks to all the anti social behaviour here. I'm pretty regularly kept awake all night due to neighbours shouting on balconies, I can't open my windows on a hot day because weed smoke comes in, so much yobbish behaviour on public transport, refusal to wear masks. People hoovering or mowing the lawn at 7am on a Saturday because it suits them and sod everyone else.

Most of the Swiss rules are basically 'think of other people and don't be a selfish arse'.

As far as I’m aware, same sex marriage is not legal in China, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, most of the Caribbean, Turkey, Iran, Russia, Indonesia and pretty much all of Africa. That probably accounts for around 70% of the world population.

Why the negative focus on Switzerland?