Resources

Browse key IHRA and selected third-party resources. From early 2021, key IHRA resources on this page are regularly updated and reviewed by a subcommittee of our staff and board that includes a bioethicist, an education specialist, lawyer and medical doctor.

a heart symbol with a plus added to it

Intersex for allies

How can you act as an ally to intersex people? This page contains introductory information and video resources.

Bodily integrity: a figure of a body enclosed in a circle

Bodily integrity

We all have a right to bodily integrity, to not be subjected to invasive or irreversible medical procedures that modify sex characteristics, unless necessary to avoid serious, urgent and irreparable harm.

Text saying "Should the 'intersex' athlete be ALLOWED to compete as a woman?"

Body shaming is an intersex issue

Body shaming is an intersex issue, perhaps even more than any other issue. This post intersperses quotations about intersex infants and children with quotations about the bodies of public figures.

Rod of Asclepius

Clinical opposition to early intersex medical interventions

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. More action is needed – particularly in Australia.

Covid-19 - a representation of the physical appearance of the virus particle

Intersex people and COVID-19

All populations that suffer health inequalities are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, and people with intersex variations are no exception.

Darlington retreat

Darlington Statement

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.

an outline of a pie chart with a quarter sliced out

Demographics

The intersex population is far more diverse than commonly understood. This page presents details based on a 2015 independent Australian sociological survey.

Law: an icon showing an outline of scales in balance

Detention

A briefing on issues affecting people with innate variations of sex characteristics in detention settings.

an equals sign inside a circle

Discrimination

A briefing on discrimination issues affecting people with innate variations of sex characteristics due to our bodies, identities, or assumptions about our identities.

education: an outline in purple of a graduation cap

Education

A briefing on issues affecting people with innate variations of sex characteristics in education settings.

circle flag on a flagpole

An intersex flag

We have struggled with symbols used to denote intersex people, so Morgan created one that is free for the world to use.

Intersex in surveys and forms

Forms and data collection

Guidance on including people born with variations of sex characteristics in forms and other forms of data collection.

Double helix icon, representing DNA

Genomics and genetic selection

Many intersex traits are genetic, with an identified origin. The elimination of such traits from the gene pool is an established and growing phenomenon.

an outline of a washing machine on spin cycle

Clinical guidelines

Are clinical guidelines enough to eliminate human rights violations against intersex people in medical settings? Reviewing the evidence, we believe they are inadequate, and their prerequisites do not exist.

Healthcare: a star of life symbol

Health and wellbeing

An introduction to the health and well-being of people with innate variations of sex characteristics, with links to third party resources published by the Australian Human Rights Commission and clinical bodies.

Ladder

Healthcare pathways

These health and wellbeing resources work together to visually map established healthcare needs and highlight potential gaps in services.

Identity certificate

Identification documents

A briefing and guidance on understanding and respecting the diverse sex classifications and gender identities of people with intersex variations.

add

Inclusive practice

Guides to inclusive practice, to help make your service, program or project intersex-friendly.

Interlink

We are happy to announce that intersex-led psychosocial support is now available through InterLink.

Venn diagram showing three intersecting circles

Intersex people and intersectionality

The rights and concerns of intersex people overlap and intersect with the rights and concerns of women, LGBT people, and disabled and racialised peoples.

Participants at the Third International Intersex Forum in Malta

Malta Declaration

Between 29 November and 1 December 2013, the Third International Intersex Forum, supported by ILGA and ILGA-Europe, took place in Valletta, Malta. The event brought together 34 activists representing 30 intersex organisations from all continents, and produced a common declaration.

marriage and relationships

Marriage and people with intersex variations

This submission to a Senate inquiry on an exposure draft marriage bill discusses the role of medical interventions in preparing intersex bodies for marriage, as well as issues accessing marriage. It analyses the implications of marriage laws in Australia before marriage equality.

a pencil

Media and style guide

If you are writing about intersex people, our bodies, identities and human rights concerns, this page outlines why we use words the way we do.

Intersex for parents.

Intersex for parents

This page is for new parents of an intersex child, prospective parents planning a pregnancy or undergoing genetic or preconception screening, and also parents of older children.

On the number of intersex people: four calculator symbols

Intersex population figures

There are no firm population figures for people with intersex variations, due to stigma, misconceptions, lack of accurate recording of data, arbitrary definitions, and ideological values.

Parliament: an icon showing an outline of the Australian Parliament

Cross-party speeches on intersex health in the Australian Senate

In the Commonwealth Parliament tonight, senators from each of the three main parties gave extraordinary and powerful speeches. We heard clear recognition that the medical treatment of intersex people is a human rights issue, that intersex is not a disorder, and that intersex people must be heard.

a pair of sports shoes

Sport

A briefing on issues affecting people with innate variations of sex characteristics in sport settings.

Steph Lum, speaking at Women Deliver 2019

Steph Lum at Women Deliver 2019

In TEDx-style, Steph Lum (then IHRA co-chair) presents experiences of some intersex women, in personal relationships and accessing appropriate healthcare, at the Women Deliver 2019 conference in Vancouver.
English / español / polski / русский

Cropped version of the draft IHRA theory of change

Our draft theory of change

We present our draft Theory of Change for comment and feedback. The diagram is intended to set out why and how we do what we do, and with what goals and outcomes. Comments and feedback are welcome.

a four piece jigsaw, falling into place

What is intersex?

A briefing on working, Australian and international definitions of intersex.

location place marker

Workplaces

Guidance for employers, union representatives and staff on intersex issues and inclusion in the workplace.

My Body, My Choice

The Yogyakarta Principles plus 10

An important and long-awaited supplement to the Yogyakarta Principles is published today. The Principles apply international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation, gender identity, and now also gender expression and sex characteristics.

A rainbow sitting on two clouds, with the sun shining above it

Youth

Finding out you have an intersex variation can be a surprise! It doesn’t mean you’re alone. There are heaps of us out here with different intersex variations.

YOUth & I publication, on a wooden table, accompanied by a cup of coffee

YOUth & I intersex youth publication

In YOUth & I, intersex youth tell their own stories, how they want to and in their own way. YOUth & I is an Australian publication created and edited by Steph Lum, and supported by the ACT Capital of Equality grants program. Download a free copy.