I'm happy to stand corrected, although it does appear that it's at least advisable to carry ID at all times. Anyway, back to the OP's original question -- your Swiss permit is certainly sufficient ID and does not state your gender.

I'd say OPs biggest problems will be finding a flat, everything else will pale in comparison.

I agree. Carrying at least some form of ID is sensible. If you are involved in an accident it gives the emergency services a head start on contacting your relatives.

What do you wanna page me for Phos? I'm an androgyne don't you know

Hi,

I didn't want to start a new thread. I'm transgendered and spend virtually my whole life in a female persona. My employer wants to transfer me to Zurich for the next 12 months. What challenges, beyond those I am used to in the UK, can I anticipate. In particular, will I be breaking Swiss law by living in the female gender?

Thanks,
Rosie

Welcome SweetRosalie

Zurich is a very cosmopolitan city and in my time here I have observed all sorts of people who clearly live alternative lifestyles without any problems whatsoever. For me, coming from London and being totally open-minded on issues such as transexualism etc that's great (I am a long time RuPaul fan by the way ).

I would start searching online for groups in Zurich / Switzerland that cater to people in your situation. I am sure they exist.

Thanks Ishaka, that's a great start. (I love RuPaul as well). I just want to make sure that I'm not going to get a hard time staying in hotels, going out for meals, travelling to and from work etc. I work for a large multi-national so I know that there are no issues in the workplace but I've never been to Switzerland before so I'm a bit nervous.

Rosie

You are so welcome Rosie . Please do reach out to groups here and who will be able to assist you more comprehensively with information and so forth. All the best once more.

Is there an LGTB or gay rights support group in Geneva for skigirl to join? I'm not saying she should become an activist, but such a group should help her find other people who are in the same boat and can help her out. Even if their web site is French or D/F/I only, I think she should check it out.

http://www.gayromandie.ch/-Transgend...tzerland-.html

Gayromandie is the site of gay people in Swiss-French. It seems only to be in French, but I think you can have some interesting information on it.

Switzerland - especially in Zurich - has a healthy dose of Transgender folk. In the 70's, there was an anarcho-punk Trans gang that went around bashing anyone in their way. The remainders of the gang can still be seen stomping about in Seefeld. They only stand out due to their behaviour.

In a store the other day, a Transgender soul kinda gave the game away with being a bit half assed with appearance. An elderly Swiss couple stopped and stared and were clearly a bit shocked; our friend gave them a beaming smile and with a deep baritone voice said (in local dialect) "Hello my darlings".

How you act will set you out more than how you are.

[And thanks for searching and adding to an existing thread ]

There is no law in Switzerland making the carrying of ANY paper with you mandatory. There are thousands of people who do NOT have a passport, do not drive and whose identity-card is somewhere at home. Clear however is that to have some identification with you can be of advantage. Particularily if you happen to "look foreign"


And here some links about and for transgender people

http://www.lustmap.ch/transsexuelle/
http://www.transpersona.ch/
http://www.pinkcross.ch/index.php?op...Itemid=9999999

Thanks for the links Wollishofener - I'm going to have to work on my Schweizerdeutsch and French to get full value but I've got some good stuff (I just hope I translated it all correctly!).

Rosie

Just a side-remark. Written texts in Switzerland are in HighGerman and NOT in dialect

Mea culpa. In the same way that I speak "Black Country" but write "received English"?

Rosie

While I don't know what the "Black Country" is, I suppose that it is correct

Exactly. The former is unintelligible to most, the latter accepted by all.

The Black Country is just north-west of Birmingham.



And this is why it's called the "Black Country":



And this might help, next time you chat to Dougal's Breakfast:



So now you can translate this road sign: