Our friends at Reach Out Australia and Kids Helpline are updating their resources for intersex youth and parents of intersex youth. We have assisted in the creation of these resources and we strongly commend them.
Clinicians are increasingly raising their voices in opposition to forced and coercive interventions, including Physicians for Human Rights and the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Association, but more action is needed – particularly in Australia.
The Darlington Statement is a joint consensus statement by Australian and Aotearoa/New Zealand intersex organisations and independent advocates, agreed in March 2017. It sets out the priorities and calls to action by the intersex human rights movement in our countries.
The Family Court has recently published a decision on the sterilisation of a 5-year old child and, unfortunately, it reveals that: earlier genital surgery that “enhanced” her genitals without Court approval was viewed without concern, and with no evidence of necessity. The idea of “enhancing” the genitals of an infant or young child is disturbing…. Read more →
Raising Rosie is a new book for parents of children born with variations of sex characteristics, written by Eric and Stephani Lohman, parents of a girl with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. When their daughter Rosie was born, Eric and Stephani Lohman found themselves thrust into a situation they were not prepared for. Born intersex – a… Read more →
We are delighted to announce that the 2015 survey of people born with atypical sex characteristics has now been published. This survey was an independent research project led by Dr Tiffany Jones. The book has been peer reviewed and published by an academic publisher, Open Book Publishers. The strong team of co-authors includes a reference… Read more →
A Queensland mother talks with Minna Burgess, a Queensland baby and maternity photographer, and journalist Sabrina Rogers-Anderson in two articles about the birth of her son. Minna Burgess shared a beautiful story on her blog following the birth of baby M to Jane and Stuart. Initially fearful, Jane talks about her fears and the difficulties… Read more →
The Feed on SBS interviewed a parent, along with Bonnie Hart, Morgan Carpenter and Shubha Srinivasan, in this great feature presenting two personal stories.
Late last year, the Human Rights Commissioner announced a survey and consultation to explore key rights and services issues affecting LGBT and intersex people in Australia. Download OII Australia SOGII Submission 2015 OII Australia consulted our members, board and broader constituency, and we have made a submission today that covers the key intersex-specific issues for… Read more →
We have recently received a copy of “Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity”, a schoolbook by Australian publisher The Spinney Press in their “Issues in Society” series. It also contains content on intersex people and intersex issues. That content includes an intersex for allies guide, and “It’s time to defend intersex rights“, an article on the… Read more →
Following a meeting between Megan Mitchell, the National Children’s Commissioner, and Morgan Carpenter, yesterday, we have made a late submission to the National Children’s Commissioner inquiry on intentional self-harm and suicidal behaviour in children. The Australian Human Rights Commission describes the inquiry as follows: The National Children’s Commissioner is examining how children and young people… Read more →
Andrew Solomon A.M. Homes and Robert Hoges spoke recently at Sydney Writers’ Festival on growing up different from parents – something he terms “horizontal identity”, in contrast with (for example) ethnic heritage, and typically religion and nationality which are “vertical identities”, shared between family members. Radio National presented extracts of this talk on Monday 2… Read more →