LGBTQIA+
As ETH Diversity, we promote the visibility and recognition of gender and sexual diversity. Here you can find helpful information for LGBTQIA+ communities and people.
Values of ETH Diversity
Gender diversity is a social reality. This also applies to colleges and universities. With our work, we want to make students and staff feel welcome at ETH Zurich, to bring their whole selves to the university in order to develop their full potential. We see it as our task to help improve the framework conditions for trans, inter and non-binary persons, for example, both in formal administrative procedures and in daily interaction with each other at the university. We want to facilitate a discrimination-free campus life and reflect the diversity of ETH members in teaching and research.
We are happy to receive requests and concerns and look forward to an exchange with the community.
The acronym LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Agender/Asexual/Aromantic and everyone who feels part of the queer community.
Gender neutral toilets and showers
In Switzerland and at ETH, everyone is permitted to use the toilets that correspond with their gender identity. If you prefer gender-neutral toilets, please find a detailed list below. The premises are now equipped with corresponding door signs (see left).
If not marked explicitly, rooms are wheelchair-accessible.
ETH Centre
ETH Hönggerberg
ETH External stations AO
ETH Basel
This list will be continually expanded. If you discover a gender-neutral toilet that is not enlistet here, please .
In Switzerland and at ETH, everyone is permitted to use the cloakrooms and showers that correspond with their gender identity. If you prefer gender-neutral showers/cloakrooms, please find a detailed list below. The premises are now equipped with corresponding door signs (see left). For changing rooms, external page ASVZ offers to seek a costumised solution.
Unless otherwise indicated, the rooms are wheelchair accessible.
ETH Centre
ETH Hönggerberg
ETH External stations AO
ETH Basel
This list will be continually expanded. If you discover a gender-neutral shower/cloakroom that is not enlistet here, please .
Changing name and/or salutation at ETH Zurich
Students, employees and trainees/interns can also change their name and/or salutation within ETH without an official name change. Omission of salutation or a third, non-binary option are currently not available.
The amendments concern all documents that ETH issues, such as ETH card, general correspondence, transcript of records and diplomas. You will find detailed information in the directive Download trans people (PDF, 83 KB) issued by the executive board.
Students can find further information on the student portal, e.g. the Download application form (PDF, 97 KB). For questions and adjustments regarding the ETH card and diplomas as well as coordination with IT services, the Registrar's Office is responsible and happy to help.
Here is some information regarding diplomas, ETH card and costs. Please always get in touch with the Registrar's Office since they are the most up to date with legal changes.
- Ideally, students should contact the Registrar's Office before applying for a Bachelor's/Master's degree, so that the degree documents can then be issued as requested.
- If graduation documents have already been issued, they must be returned so that the adjusted version can be subsequently issued again free of charge. It should be noted that these adjustments are made as long as the person is enrolled at ETH.
- In principle, however, no new original graduation documents will be issued after the person has left ETH. However, it is then possible to order corrected, certified copies.
- A new ETH card will be issued and delivered free of charge.
Students, employees and trainees/interns can also change their name and/or salutation within ETH without an official name change. Omission of salutation or a third, non-binary option are currently not available.
Employees address themselves to the responsible contact person of Human Resources instead of submitting a written request in order to discuss the job situation and further proceeding. Professionals of Personnel and Organisational Development advise employees on their job situation if required. Trainees can contact Vocational education and training.
Past Events during Hochschul-Pride Zürich (HOPZ)
In October 2023 and 2024, the Hochschul-Pride Zürich organised panel discussions, workshops and meeting rooms at various Zurich universities (external page full programme). Some of them were co-organised with ETH Zurich.
Events at ETH Zurich
Opening panel: Why do universities need Pride? (German)
Tuesday, October 1st, 18:30-21:00, ETH Main Building, Room E1.2
With Alexander Wenger from the Zurich Pride Festival, Rara from CSD Zurich and a person from the feminist university collective, HOPZ wants to talk on this panel about why Pride is needed at universities, why the work of associations and collectives is important and what their work can involve. Everyone is invited to an aperitif afterwards. external page Registration
Queer Pub Quiz (English)
Thursday, Oktober 10th, 19:00, bQm Bar, ETH Zentrum
Quiz lovers, watch out! This year, HOPZ is organising its own pub quiz at bQm. That's why there are even more queer questions and if that's not enough: There are great prizes to be won again! Take part, show off your (queer) knowledge and enjoy a cosy evening. The questions are in English and no registration is necessary! Come in groups of up to 4 people or find a team on site.
02.10.2023 - HoPZ Kick-Off Panel, 18:00-19:30 (DE)
Der Verein external page Hochschul-Pride Zürich diskutiert mit Vertreter*innen von Zürcher Hochschulen über die aktuelle Situation der LGBTQIA+ Community an den verschiedenen Schulen. Das Panel ist offen für Fragen aus dem Publikum, weiterer Austausch ist am anschliessenden Apéro möglich. external page Anmeldung zum Event. Ort: ZHdK, Toniareal, Raum 5.K06.
05.10.2023 - Mental Health in der queeren Community, 18:30 (DE)
Wie steht es um die Mental Health der queeren Community? Welche Fakten gibt es aus der Wissenschaft? Wie können wir einander als Community unterstützen? Diese Themen diskutieren wir unter der Leitung von Max Kranich am Panel, das wir gemeinsam mit der MeWell Community organisieren. Eingeladen sind: Dr. Tabea Hässler, Trish Benvenutti, Chiara Bono. Mit external page MeWell und external page Hochschul-Pride Zürich.
25.10.2023 - Workshop Anna Rosenwasser: Performance Competencies - From a Perspective of Empowerment
Speaking in front of people can be hard – speaking up even more so. In this workshop we discuss the ways being queer can influence how we feel taking up space. And we look at tricks how to make your voice heard in a world that needs more queer voices. Places are limited.This is an offer for ETH members identifying themselves as queer or part of the LGBTQIA+ or questioning.
LGBTQIA+ networks at ETH and external
ETH internal
Discord Channel LGBTQIA+ at ETH Zurich: Contact if you want to join the group (for exchange, activities or working groups). The group members communicate mainly in English. About once a month there is an informal lunch at the different ETH locations in Zurich and they communicate via discord.
Across universities in Zurich:
external page PolyUniQue: LGBTQIA+ at universities of Zurich (former L-Punkt, z&h and queer*z). PolyUniQue hosts regular meetings and dinners for various student and alumnx groups from Zurich universities.
external page Asexuelles Spektrum Schweiz: Organization for people on the asexual and aromantic spectrum.
external page HAZ- Queer Zürich: One of the largest LGBTQIA+ organizations in Switzerland, working against discrimination based on sexual or gender identity.
external page Intersex.ch: Swiss contact point for Intersex people.
external page LOS: Lesbian Organization Switzerland, umbrella organization for lesbians, bisexual and queer women in Switzerland.
external page Milchjugend: Youth organization for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, inter and asexual adolescents.
external page Pink Cross: Swiss umbrella organisation for homosexual and bisexual men.
external page QueerAmnesty: Theme group within Amnesty International working on issues related to human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity.
external page QueerMigs: English Language Queer Discussion Group.
external page Regenbogenfamilien: Umbrella organization for rainbow families in Switzerland.
external page TGNS: Transgender Network Switzerland: Swiss organization by and for trans people.
What you can do in the event of disrespectful behaviour
Discrimination against individuals on the basis of actual, ascribed or group-specific characteristics such as lifestyle, sexual orientation and gender identity are explicitly mentioned in the ETH Zurich Download Code of Conduct (PDF, 477 KB) and will not be tolerated.
In the event of discrimination, harassment or conflicts, please contact the contact and advice centers, which offer professional support to all employees and students of ETH Zurich:
Contact