Peer Counselling for Transfemmes*
Our peer counseling for transfemmes offers support with all questions related to transition and gender-affirming care. We provide guidance on hormones, surgeries, hair removal and hair transplants, as well as navigating the Swiss healthcare system and dealing with health insurance. In addition, we discuss mental strategies for coping with gender and transition, help you connect with the trans and queer community in Zurich, and offer a safe space to share worries or simply be heard.
Appointments available: online or in person
Contacts and Resources
Checkpoint offers individual counseling for trans people as well as free HIV and STI testing.
Every second Tuesday of the month, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM, there is a peer support group for transfemmes. It is moderated by Eva Bracey, peer counselor at Checkpoint. Please arrive a few minutes before the start. If you wish, you can change clothes in the on-site restrooms.
TGNS provides various services for trans individuals, such as family support groups and legal counseling. It assists trans individuals and organizations with legal matters concerning trans topics. Especially good for Asylum questions. (Free to trans people)
TGNS provides a comprehensive overview of partner organizations and additional resources on its website.
Gender-affirming items are not covered by the Swiss healthcare system, even though they are an important part of gender-affirming care. Trans* Open Wardrobe provides these items free of charge to trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people (TNG) in Switzerland who cannot afford them.
TSEF provides straightforward, direct support for housing, health, and safety.
Anyone who is not cisgender can apply for help—whether you’re trans, nonbinary, genderqueer, agender, gender nonconforming, or identify otherwise, we want to support you. Our goal is to offer financial assistance in situations that put the well-being of trans individuals at risk.
Here’s a powerpoint I made to come out at work. Please request access if you want to view it, with a short intro about how you found the link. It’s a few years old now but should not be too much to alter to tailor it to you or update it. Play the slideshow to see all the info.
Lots of examples of surgeries from different surgeons around the world. You will need an Reddit account, it’s for over 18s only (Quite graphic!)
Events
There are some trans-friendly events here for those who are at Zurich universities and interested:
You can find more information on Instagram.
Accessibility: There is a lever lift for wheelchair users, but it may not be suitable for electric wheelchairs.
We recommend going around 19.45 for changing.
The changing room situation is very laid back, use whichever you prefer, and they have a life guard who is usually cis, but very non-judgemental, who stays out of the way (usually sits just outside the room with the pool). The pool is ~16m.
Accessibility: There is a lift down to the changing rooms.
General LGBTQIA+ Resources
Advice on queer and trans issues
They host the ‘TransTreff‘, a discussion group for trans people of all kinds to talk about problems, fears, and concerns. Second Monday of the month at 19.00 at the Regenbogenhaus Bibliothek.
Milchjugend is the largest youth organization for lesbian, gay, bi, aro-ace, trans, and intersex youth, as well as everyone in between and beyond.
An organisation providing support and events for older queer people.
Organisation for non-binary, genderqueer people
Podcasts, Books,Videos and Films
The Gender Reveal podcast explores the vast diversity of trans experiences through interviews with a wide array of trans, nonbinary and Two-Spirit people. But, like, in a fun way!
Author and journalist Shon Faye talks with LGBTQ+ trailblazers who have something important, interesting or enlightening to say about what it means to be queer in the world today. Through these conversations, Call Me Mother aims to deepen our understanding of queer experiences through the life stories of the elders who have lived through it before us – and show that all of us, queer or not, belong to a much broader history.
A great, short article about the reality of a neovagina surgery.
Available on Tr4nbies Substack: So you think you want a neovagina.
Has some great reflections and tips about how to navigate the world as a transfemme.
This is a short book with practical steps to love yourself – incredibly helpful. If you’re unable to purchase it, contact Eva.