Intersex Human Rights Australia

Reflecting on Intersex Awareness Day 2024, it was a vibrant and meaningful celebration filled with various activities that highlighted the importance of intersex rights and community. Throughout the week, a series of events were organised to foster understanding, support, advocacy… and to celebrate!

On Wednesday, AGA hosted a drop-in event in Canberra, where participants enjoyed yellow and purple arts and crafts, drawing inspiration from the intersex flag. It was a wonderful opportunity for intersex people and allies to come together and celebrate.

Additionally, the radio show “The I in Us” aired a special Intersex Awareness Day episode, with Paul and guest cohost Cody Smith speaking with intersex veterinarian Dr. Channy McGowan and Aotearoa/New Zealand intersex advocate Georgia Andrews, delving into their unique experiences and contributions to the community. Visit https://joy.org.au/theiinus/.

Thursday featured an enlightening online seminar by the ERC Abortion Figurations Project. Scholars and human rights advocates explored the global and local realities of intersex persons, sparking engaging discussions on advocacy and legal protections. Kimberly Mascott-Zieselman, a prominent intersex activist and author of XOXY, was the keynote speaker, providing invaluable insights and inspiration to the attendees.

Friday was packed with events, starting with AGA’s Intersex 101 Pre-Lunch Learn session, which focused on workplace inclusion and support for intersex individuals.

Later, IHRA hosted an online gala event with music, entertainment, and special guests. The event kicked off with a welcome and Acknowledgement of Country, followed by a performance from Max Aurora who is known for their dreamy, bittersweet indie rock. Max captivated the audience with their heartfelt music.

The gala also saw the launch of “Intersex Foundations 101,” a Yellow Tick eLearning course designed to help individuals understand about innate variations of sex characteristics, and organisations develop intersex-inclusive practices. Keep an eye on  http://www.yellowtick.org.au for updates as further Yellow Tick programs get rolled out in the coming months!

Messages from intersex activists worldwide, including Jeff Balahadia Cagandahan from Intersex Philippines, Hiker Chiu from Intersex Asia, and Crystal Hendricks from ILGA World, highlighted the ongoing efforts and challenges faced by intersex communities globally.

MC and host for the evening, Margie McCumstie took the opportunity to highlight the important work of two international intersex advocacy organisations- Bangladesh Intersex Forum and the Initiative for Youth Health Rights and Education Empowerment in northern Nigeria.

Bangladesh Intersex Forum (BIF) was honoured for its unwavering dedication to ensuring the rights of intersex people in Bangladesh. Established on December 7, 2020, with the support of Intersex Asia, BIF is the first organization in Bangladesh led by intersex individuals. Its mission is to raise awareness about intersex issues and support the livelihoods and human rights of intersex people through capacity building, grassroots organising, advocacy, research, and strategic litigation.

In Bangladesh, early “correctional” surgeries are often performed on intersex children, leading to extreme trauma and a cycle of suffering. BIF aims to break this cycle by empowering intersex individuals through consultations and capacity-building programs. They have collected intersex stories from the grassroots level for publication in the Daily Star, a popular national newspaper, and have supported intersex individuals by providing cattle or training in garment sewing for their livelihoods.

We recognize and commend the efforts of the Bangladesh Intersex Forum for their tireless work and dedication to creating a more inclusive and supportive society for intersex people.

Initiative for Youth Health Rights and Education Empowerment (IYHREE), is a nongovernmental organisation based in Northern Nigeria and their work was highlighted at the Online Gala as well. IYHREE has shown unwavering dedication to advocating for the rights of intersex individuals in a region where stigma and discrimination remain significant barriers. The organisation has actively raised awareness through community education, legal advocacy, and healthcare support for intersex individuals, creating safe spaces and access to essential services. Its approach includes capacity-building programs, partnerships with local and international human rights groups, and legal empowerment to challenge harmful societal norms and policies. By amplifying intersex voices in policy discussions and working to influence systemic change, IYHREE demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing intersex human rights.

After celebrating with international intersex advocates, we caught up with our Australian intersex leaders such as Morgan Carpenter from IHRA, Michelle McGrath from IPSA, Bonnie Hart from InterLink, Stephanie Lum from YOUth & I, Paul Byrne-Moroney from The I in Us, and Simone-Lisa Anderson from the Better Lives project. They each shared their reflections on the challenges and achievements of the past year and shared their plans for the future. Steph shared a moving piece of prose that is in the upcoming fourth edition of YOUth & I, titled “Grow”. The piece was called “I Find Myself in Flowers” and was written by Mouse. Visit https://youthandi.org/ for more information.

The event also featured a comedy spot with intersex agitator and wordsmith Cody Smith, and some fun and engaging quizzes filled with intersex trivia.

The big announcement of who was to win The Darling was still to come and so we heard from each of the 2024 Finalists about the importance of allyship. Vik Fraser, Executive Director of A Gender Agenda; Paul Byrne-Moroney, Radio host at Joy 94.9; and Meaghan Holden, CEO of Living Proud with Zoe Lutze, Administrative Assistant at Living Proud spoke with passion and commitment about their efforts as ally organisations.

It was time and the winner of Australia’s premier award for intersex allies, The Darling was announced! Congratulations to A Gender Agenda. When nominating AGA for The Darling, Cody Smith wrote “AGA has consistently done foundational work in the ACT to improve the conditions of intersex Canberrans, support intersex lived experience in roles of community leadership, and support the progress of intersex human rights in the ACT. It is an ideal model of how ally organisations should be engaging with intersex issues.” The Darlington Consortium Award Selection Panel agreed and are proud that A Gender Agenda are the winner for 2024. Vik Fraser accepted “The Darling” on behalf of A Gender Agenda. The gold statuette was hand crafted by Bonnie Hart.

We closed the evening with another song by the talented Max Aurora. We thank everyone who attended- it was lovely to see you all!

The celebrations continued on Saturday with a picnic at Haig Park in Canberra, organised by AGA. Attendees enjoyed outdoor activities and delicious food, followed by a BBQ dinner and a panel discussion on “Intersex Beyond Advocacy,” featuring community leaders- Bonnie Hart, Paul Byrne-Moroney and Steph Lum sharing creative ways to connect and share stories.

The day also saw the premiere of the short film “Common as Red Hair” on YouTube, offering an artistic perspective on intersex experiences. The film will be free to watch on YouTube now and will reach many more people. You can watch it by visiting  https://youtu.be/sbvhnt-EN1c?si=BNP6uPqnItvYLcg Finally, the Intersex Persons Society of Ghana capped off the evening with an online celebration and the launch of their documentary “BORN UNIQUE: My Journey of Courage and Compassion,” showcasing inspiring personal stories.

Overall, Intersex Awareness Day 2024 was a testament to the strength, contributions, and unity of the intersex community and their allies, creating a supportive space for education, advocacy, and celebration.

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