The event has been held for ten years, but this year has fallen victim to increasingly heated discussions around gender issues.
On Thursday, the school released a statement announcing the cancellation of the event after staff members had received threats, reported various media including the Tages-AnzeigerExternal link.
Criticism was also present on social media, including from prominent politicians. One of them, Andreas Glarner from the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, tweeted to demand the dismissal of the entire school management.
Another parliamentarian from the People’s Party, Roger Köppel, said on his Weltwoche Daily video broadcast that the event was a “sexualisation of school lessons”.
The management board also feared disruptions on the day. “We cancelled the day primarily because of the security situation,” said Patrick Rüedi, Head of Education in the municipality. He told the Tages-Anzeiger he was “shocked” by the response, especially after seeing flyers inviting people to show up on the school on Monday.
Centre-right Radical-Liberal Party politician Christian Haltner, who is president of the municipality of Stäfa, denounced the attacks, notably saying that “national parliamentarians should not interfere in municipal autonomy”.
Federal elections are taking place in Switzerland in October.
The topics of ‘Gender Day’ are also included in the “Lehrplan21” curriculum, the study plan for German-speaking Switzerland. According to the local authorities, the goal was to “encourage young people to reflect on their own standards and values and to discuss gender identity and sexuality openly”.
They added that “the school does not want to impose an opinion, but some elements were taken out of context in an emotionally wrong way”.
Popular Stories
More
Workplace Switzerland
What lies ahead for Switzerland: an economic outlook for 2025
Have you heard something about Swiss diplomacy that you’d like us to fact check?
Not all information circulating about Switzerland’s foreign relations is accurate or well understood. Tell us what you'd like us to fact check or clarify.
Researchers find high microbial diversity in glacial streams
This content was published on
Swiss researchers have discovered a surprising diversity of microorganisms in glacial streams around the world. However, this diversity is under threat as soon as it is discovered.
This content was published on
Fewer electric cars were sold in Switzerland in 2024 compared to the previous year. The electric mobility association Swiss eMobility says this is only a temporary dip.
This content was published on
Sunshine and fresh snow attracted winter sports fans to Swiss ski resorts over the holiday period. Many ski stations reported record figures.
New Year’s speech: President Keller-Sutter praises Swiss modesty
This content was published on
The Swiss president for 2025, Karin Keller-Sutter, has underlined the importance of compromise and modesty in Swiss politics in her New Year’s address to the nation.
Lindt wins ‘chocolate ball’ legal case against Aldi
This content was published on
Chocolate manufacturer Lindt & Sprüngli has won a legal case against the retailer Aldi Suisse for infringing the trademark rights of its Lindor chocolate balls.
Campaigners want Swiss central bank to hold bitcoin in reserves
This content was published on
Campaigners have launched a people's initiative to oblige the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to hold part of its reserves in bitcoin.
Switzerland welcomes 2025 with fireworks and ice plunges
This content was published on
Fireworks lit up the skies in Switzerland to celebrate New Year's Eve. Some people welcomed the new year by plunging into lakes in freezing temperatures.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Archived
Hosted by:
Virginie Mangin
Do you think gender-neutral language can promote more gender diversity?
Gender-neutral language is a way to change patriarchal norms. School texts books, news stories and editors are now increasingly taking this into account. How important do you think language is in structuring reality? Please let us know in the comments below. From the article A gender-inclusive language to change the world
Hundreds of Swiss change gender using simplified process
This content was published on
Several hundred people in Switzerland have changed their gender since the introduction of a simplified process on January 1.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.