This is an update on COVID-19 and Intersex Human Rights Australia. As of August, Intersex Human Rights Australia Ltd is registered with the NSW Government as a COVIDSafe business. This means we have made a commitment to protect all our staff, clients and community members from COVID-19. Some businesses are required to complete a COVID-19…
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The side event, taking place during the 44th session of the Human Rights Council, seeks to discuss human rights violations against intersex persons, unpack the mechanisms that lead to discrimination and violence of intersex persons in all spheres of life – including in sports, and discuss possible ways forward towards better and more specific protections on persons with diverse sex characteristics in the international human rights framework.
On 23 June, the annual Melbourne Medical Student Conference held a session on the medical treatment of people with intersex variations. Participants were Professors John Hutson, Sonia Grover and Clare Delany of the University of Melbourne and Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, and Morgan Carpenter from IHRA. We share this video for educational purposes.
IHRA welcomes the report of the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute on “legal recognition of sex and gender”. In particular, we warmly welcome recommendations in relation to medical procedures on children with intersex variations.
Today we are 10! Intersex Human Rights Australia Ltd was formally incorporated as a not-for-profit company on 6 May 2010, under the name OII Australia. Today we celebrate 10 years of advocacy and work to ensure that the human rights and health of people with intersex variations are recognised and respected.
On 2 May, Steph Lum (editor of the YOUth&I magazine) performed the poem Graduation Day as part of Equality Australia’s Queer Love In. The event was an afternoon of performance to support LGBTI artists who have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 can infect any individual, irrespective of age or health but its impact exacerbates existing inequalities. All populations that suffer health inequalities are disproportionately affected, and people with intersex variations are no exception.
Finding community is one of the best things that any person with an intersex variation can do. Thankfully, our communities exist online as much as they do face-to-face. Find out more about our regular Zoom catch-up sessions and maintain contact during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of the development of a broader strategy, NSW Health and project consultants Urbis are conducting a survey of adults with intersex variations.
IHRA has made a submission on the revised exposure draft religious discrimination bills, very kindly endorsed by IPSA.
Want to get involved in intersex-led advocacy, counselling or media work? Express your interest in the third Darlington intersex advocacy event, 7-9 January 2020.
Writing From Below will publish a special issue in 2020 to honour and extend the impact of the work of Dr Michael Noble. His book, Nicholas Culpeper and the Mystery of the Philosopher’s Stone, has also been published.