Does anyone know how well accepted gay couples are in Ticino?

It never really occurred to me to think about it before - I've lived in California and New York for the last 15 years, and while people don't generally "guess" that I'm gay--we don't make out on the bus or anything--I don't make any secret of it - for example, when chatting with co-workers about what we did over the weekend I mention my partner just as somebody would mention their husband or wife - this has never caused me any problems in the US, but it seemed a good question to ask now that I'm moving somewhere new.

I know the Swiss are generally reasonably accepting of such things, but I also know there can be regional variations in tolerance just as there are in the US. (I'd be far more hesitant to mention my partner if we lived in Utah, for example.) My employer will already know, since they're sponsoring our visas. So it's not like it's going to be a huge secret in any case.

Anyone have any experience (either first- or second-hand) in this regard?

Was in Locarno last week and there were obvious male couples out and about shopping and dining. The strange thing about Ticino is that everyone is about 5ft7, don't know what that's about.

Switzerland is very accepting of same-sex couples. I think you can even get married now.

One of my colleagues is gay. She and her partner are very open about it and she says that it's not an issue of any kind. She came here from Pakistan, so it's a bit of a miracle to her that no-one bats an eyelid.

From an official point of view this isn't strictly true. Zurich is quite accepting of gays. A couple of years ago they agreed to recognise same-sex partners for official purposes (like rights to a pension and stuff), but they do not allow full gay marriage (ala California's on-again off-again gay marriage thing which seems to have annoyed Georgie boy so much).

I recall reading an article in the now defunct cream magazine about the various implications of being gay in Zurich, and the slow process of change/acceptance in the rest of the country.

Ticino is also a mainly catholic canton is it not? Would this make a difference?

As I read your question, I emailed some of my gay clients that live in Lugano. They basically said that in Lugano (and the rest of the cities in the Ticino area) gays are tolerated but not overly accepted. Gays that live there are very discreet and keep their relationship status out of public knowledge. From what they told me there are many gay people in the area but most in hidding. On the bright side, they say there is a gay bar and a gay sauna in the area and that Milano is not too far either. Good luck with the move.

doktor.s - you have to remember that Italian culture isn't so "geared" towards homosexuality, especially men together

Lob Rock - very true... well, at least not in the "open". Plenty of Italian men playing the weekend "bi-sexual" gig though. The stories my patients tell me...