Intersex Awareness Month is here again this October. It’s a chance for us to remind ourselves about the challenge that the intersex community is facing each day, as well as reflect on the progress of our organizations and the intersex movement as a whole. How have we progressed since last year, and how does it compare to 6 years ago, when Intersex Asia was founded?
The establishment of Intersex Asia in 2018 marked a significant milestone, bringing together activists from multiple countries to advocate for the rights and visibility of intersex individuals. While awareness has increased, the movement still grapples with stagnant visibility and critical misunderstandings that hinder progress.
Increased Awareness but Stagnant Visibility
In recent years, there has been a noticeable rise in awareness about intersex issues across Asia. Activists have worked tirelessly to educate both the public and policymakers about intersex variations and the human rights abuses often faced by intersex individuals. We’ve seen more and more intersex community groups and organizations step up to support intersex rights. Recently, the UNHRC has adopted the first-ever resolution to protect the rights and lives of intersex individuals worldwide. And we can’t help but feel happy, proud, and grateful when looking at the long organization and country endorsement list. That moment made us believe that we have more allies than we ever knew, and it will only get better from there. The intersex definition has appeared in more documents and materials, and the integration of “I” in the LGBTQI+ flag further emphasizes the solidarity and, obviously, the existence of this community.
However, despite these efforts, visibility remains limited. A key factor contributing to this stagnation is the lack of new faces within the movement. Many prominent activists have been central to this cause since its inception, but without fresh voices and perspectives, our narrative risks becoming static. Knowing this limitation, Intersex Asia and our member organizations have invested much in building a new generation of intersex activists. Through the IA Fellowship Program and the Fellow’s Country projects, we’ve gradually introduced new blood to the cause as well as familiarize ourselves with the community. Though there will still be a lot to be done, our collective effort will eventually pay off, and we’ll see new young faces keeping up the torch in the near future.
Misunderstanding Between Intersex and Transgender
One of the most pressing issues is the ongoing confusion between intersex and transgender identities. We once met a respectable university professor, and her reaction when learning about the existence of intersex people was: “ Can I call them transgender, too?”.
While both communities face discrimination and stigma, they are so distinct in their experiences. Intersex individuals are born with sex characteristics that do not fit typical definitions of male or female. In contrast, transgender people may identify with a gender role different from their assigned sex at birth. This common misunderstanding not only complicates advocacy efforts but also creates barriers for intersex individuals when seeking recognition and support within broader LGBTIQ+ movements. Clearing this misconception remains one of Intersex Asia’s key priorities this year and in the future.
We understand it may be a little overwhelming for people who start to look into the whole LGBTIQ+ definition, but having a proper understanding is very critical. We can’t help our loved ones if we don’t fully understand who they are and how they define themselves.
Knowledge Gaps Within the Community
The lack of knowledge about intersex identities extends beyond societal misconceptions; it also affects young intersex individuals who struggle to understand their own identities. Many grow up in environments where intersex variations are stigmatized or hidden, leading to feelings of isolation and confusion. To many intersex individuals, it feels like being lost in a maze built up by binary social norms, trying to find who they are and understand their identity. Yet, when intersex individuals finally understand themselves and find the path out of that maze, they are greeted by discrimination and stigma from society.
Helping intersex individuals understand themselves and find the way out of that identity maze is critical. Through providing resources and knowledge materials, we hope to effectively increase awareness so young intersex people can explore their identities in a safe and affirming manner.
Keep walking!
Another Awareness month has arrived, but this year, it’s more special. We’re no longer alone; we have more allies than we ever had, both external and internal. New faces have joined our team, which makes us even more confident in pursuing our vision. To celebrate, we‘re running a small campaign on our social media channels. The campaign, namely “No Boundary” aims to shine a light on the struggling journey that intersex individuals have to go through when finding their own identity. Join us, and stand with us! Together, we can build a more inclusive society that respects and celebrates the diversity of all bodies. See you in the finishing line!
