The atmosphere in Lucerne is refreshingly open, relaxed and queer-friendly for such a small city. In 2005 local citizens voted in favour of registered partnerships for same sex-couples and in the weeks following the referendum the city hosted the national Pride festival. It is common to see same-sex couples holding hands and showing affection in public. Each November the weeklong Pink Panorama film festival, now in its 16th year, shows LGBTQI films from around the globe. Local collective Queer Office host bi-annual festivals addressing taboo themes affecting the community and seek to create a safe space and platform for cross-generational and -cultural exchange. They also organise a weekly gathering Queerbad every Tuesday at Neubad bar. There are few queer bars as such in Lucerne, but regular parties taking place at various locations around the city.