Zurich is getting Switzerland's first Queer Memorial
On 20 August, an almost two-metre sandstone is inaugurated at Sihlfeld Cemetery — Switzerland's first queer monument, co-shaped by around 20 community members.
For years Zurich has had a Rainbow Grave Field at Sihlfeld Cemetery. Now the city is getting Switzerland's first queer monument: the Queer Memorial will be inaugurated on 20 August 2026, from 18:00 to 21:30, in the immediate vicinity of that grave field.
The stone is Zurich sandstone, standing almost two metres tall and around 40 centimetres wide, carrying 'flying' points of rainbow-coloured mortar. Created in collaboration with designers Judith Schröter and Regine Brandt, around 20 people from various queer communities took part in shaping it at the end of May 2026.
The Memorial does not commemorate a single person or event. It is a collective mark: for what queer life in Switzerland has meant and means — across decades, generations and lives. The inauguration with speeches, music and a reception is open to the public.
Friedhof Sihlfeld, Aemtlerstrasse 151, 8003 Zurich.
Sources & background
- gay.ch / Display Magazin / queerAltern ↗gay.ch / Display Magazin / queerAltern · Accessed July 31, 2026
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