October 26th marks Intersex Awareness Day, which is observed annually around the world to highlight the experiences and human rights issues of intersex people. It is estimated that 1.7% of the population has an intersex traits, which is equivalent to 5.6 million Americans. Intersex is an umbrella term for variations in sex traits or reproductive anatomy, including chromosomes, genitalia, hormones, and internal anatomy.

Intersex Awareness Day is observed on the anniversary of the first public demonstration by intersex people. On October 26, 1996, intersex activists, including Morgan Holmes and Max Beck of the Intersex Society of North America, attended the Annual Academy of Pediatrics’ annual conference in Boston. They were intending to deliver an address "on long-term outcomes and to challenge their still-prevailing opinion that cosmetic surgery to "fix" intersexed genitals was the best course of action." However, the activists were met with hostility and removed from the conference by security guards. The group, alongside alongside allies from the Transsexual Menace, including Riki Wilchins, then returned to the venue to demonstrate, carrying a sign reading “Hermaphrodites With Attitude.”

Unfortunately, many of the issues protested by intersex activists back in 1996 are relevant and still occurring today. One of the human rights violations that intersex people often experience is intersex surgery—“non-lifesaving procedures to change natural variations in genital appearance or reproductive anatomy,” according to InterACT. The organization reports that as of 2021, only two US hospitals have said that they don’t perform infant genital surgeries. In fact, a 2016 report published in the Journal of Pediatric Urology that found that 35 out of 37 parents of intersex children had “opted for cosmetic surgery on their children. Oregon currently has no legal protections for intersex people against nonconsensual genital surgery, including babies.

There are many ways to learn about the issues faced by the intersex community and contribute to the fight for intersex human rights. Here are some places to start:

• Check out the trailer for the new documentary, Every Body—and read an interview with the featured individuals here!

• Learn about Little Jimmy Scott, the legendary Jazz musician who lived with an intersex variation and challenged mainstream notions of masculinity through his art.

• Read Intersex FAQ’s from InterACT - Advocate’s for Intersex Youth.