LGBTIQ

The University of Fribourg promotes an open, respectful and caring study and work environment in which each person can develop their skills.

Thus, people belonging to gender and sexual minorities (LGBTIQ) should feel comfortable and Unifr's environment should be free of discrimination against them.

In order to raise awareness and engage the university community in this safe and caring university, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Service is running several activities in 2024:

• The workshop "Welcoming and accompanying LGBTIQ people in studies and at work: What are the issues of professional posture and practices?" (in French) took place on May 23, 2024. It was open to administrative and technical staff in contact with students and staff (e.g. counter staff, library staff,...) and was led by Caroline Dayer, doctor and researcher, trainer and consultant, expert in the prevention and treatment of violence and discrimination as well as cantonal delegate for homophobia and transphobia issues in educational institutions at the State of Vaud. 

• The workshop "Welcoming and accompanying LGBTIQ people in studies and at work: What are the issues of professional posture and practices?" (in German) took place on May 28, 2024. It was open to administrative and technical staff in contact with students and staff (e.g. counter staff, library staff,...) and was led by Anis Kaiser, Advocacy Manager at TGNS Transgender Network Switzerland and adult educator. 

• Activities done in 2023
  • The round table "The University of Fribourg, a respectful institution for all?"was organised on the May 17th, on the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. During this event, the potential discrimination to which LGBTIQ people are exposed within Unifr and the actions undertaken by the institution to prevent them were discussed.
  • A survey was carried out among students concerning the actions taken and the study environment offered to LGBTIQ people in May. 
  • The workshop "Welcoming and accompanying LGBTIQ people in studies and at work: What are the issues of professional posture and practices?took place on the 14th December 2023. It was open to administrative and technical staff in contact with students and staff (e.g. counter staff, library staff,...) and was led by Caroline Dayer, doctor and researcher, trainer and consultant, expert in the prevention and treatment of violence and discrimination as well as cantonal delegate for homophobia and transphobia issues in educational institutions at the State of Vaud. 
• Activities done in 2022
  • The round table "Promoting a Safe and Caring University for All"was organised on 19 May on the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (17 May). It provided a space for exchange between those affected and administrative and technical staff.
  • The workshop "Welcoming and accompanying LGBTIQ people at school and at work: What are the challenges for professional posture and practices?"took place on 13 December and was open to administrative and technical staff in contact with students and staff (e.g. counter staff, library staff,...). It was led by Caroline Dayer, a doctor and researcher, trainer and consultant, expert in the prevention and treatment of violence and discrimination and cantonal delegate for homophobia and transphobia in educational institutions at the State of Vaud.

Inclusive infrastructures: integration of gender-neutral toilets

The University of Fribourg (Unifr) is committed to non-discrimination and the inclusion of all persons in order to provide an inclusive learning and working environment. To this end, a number of inclusive services and infrastructures are already in place, and others are in the pipeline.
One measure to take into account the needs of non-binary, trans binary, trans non-binary and queer people is to integrate gender-neutral toilets into Unifr buildings. Toilets accessible to people with disabilities, most of which are gender-neutral, will be kept as they are.

Inclusive toilets

Non-gendered toilets are now available to the university community at the Miséricorde, Pérolles 21 and Regina Mundi sites. Non-mixed toilet blocks have been refurbished to provide gender-neutral toilets at all three Unifr sites. The University of Fribourg will make this commitment to providing gender-neutral toilets at all its university sites a reality as it renovates or builds new facilities over the next few years.
Here is the list of non-genic toilets on the various university sites:
• Miséricorde : 1st floor of building MIS04, WC blocks next to office MIS4110
• Pérolles 21: toilet blocks C070 and C071, next to the cafeteria
• Pérolles 22: toilet blocks next to the BP2 library
• Regina Mundi: 2nd floor of Simler building S-2.073

Customary first name

Do you want to use a customary first name? Are you in the process of gender transition and wish to use a new first name for your contacts at Unifr?

Changing name and/or gender

Have you officially changed your first name? Have you just officially changed your first name and gender?

Since January 2022, a simplified procedure for changing gender (indication of sex) has been in place and the application must be made to a civil status office.

More informations on the Canton of Fribourg's website