Frequently asked questions (FAQs) - Intersex Human Rights Australia

This page is a curated listing of key information and articles on intersex issues, available on our site.

Welcome – a brief introduction and overview.
Intersex for allies – our introductory guide to intersex.
Defining intersex – a collection of definitions from some key sources.
Darlington Statement – a common platform on intersex community goals in Australia and Aotearoa/NZ, March 2017.
Demographic data – based on information from a large 2015 Australian study.
On the number of intersex people
Including intersex people in forms, studies and surveys.
Style guide on intersex and terminology – a useful guide for journalists and writers.
Malta Declaration – public statement by the third International Intersex Forum, 2 December 2013.
Employers’ guide to intersex inclusion
A short guide to making your service intersex friendly

Statement on the Senate report ‘Involuntary or coerced sterilisation of intersex people in Australia’

Statement on the Senate report ‘Involuntary or coerced sterilisation of intersex people in Australia’ (29 October 2013)
First cross-party speeches on intersex health in the Australian Senate (25 March 2014)
Submission on the medical “normalisation” of intersex people, including infants, children and adolescents – concluding submission to a Senate Inquiry on involuntary or coerced sterilisation (12 September 2013)
Overview of intersex health issues – Speech to Health in Difference conference, 2013 (14 March 2013)
The ethics of genetic selection against intersex traits (29 April 2014)
On intersex, gender nonconformity, the DSM and Standards of Care (7 June 2012)
Medicare is now gender neutral (24 July 2013)

Maltese Gender Identity Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Act 2015 (2 April 2015)
On the historic passing of the Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Act 2013 (25 June 2013)
Submission on the Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Bill 2013 (23 April 2013)
Senate Inquiry report on the Exposure Draft of the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill 2012 (21 February 2013)
Submission to the Senate Inquiry on the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill (10 December 2012)

Intersex for allies

Intersectionalities with gender identity issues, sexual orientation, and disability. Intersex is about biology; intersex people have the same range of gender identities and sexual orientations as non-intersex people.
On intersectionalities with lesbian and gay communities (5 February 2012)
On intersectionalities with trans experiences (3 June 2011)
On intersectionalities with disability (27 April 2014)

Making your service intersex friendly

An intersex flag (5 July 2013)
The OII Australia logo (1 January 2012)
The orchid is a common symbol of intersex, as used in the film Orchids, My Intersex Adventure and our Intersex Awareness Day posts: 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011.

Intersex Awareness Day, 2014