Starting in 2025, Intersex Asia marked one of its most significant milestones with a series of critical engagements in Nepal that once again echo the voice of the intersex community across Asia. With the increasing challenges to intersex visibility and rights globally due to political and funding scenarios, these events stood as a bold declaration of existence and resilience.
Two Landmark Events: Amplifying Intersex Voices
Intersex Asia’s engagement in Nepal centered around two pivotal events: the 4th Asian Intersex Forum—the largest forum in Asia to date—and active participation in the ILGA Asia Conference 2025. With crucial support from Campaign for Change Nepal, these platforms provided the intersex community invaluable opportunities to come together, understand diverse perspectives, and strategize collective action during the ILGA conference and beyond.
What we learn from these landmark events:
- Increased Visibility: The sheer scale of participation showcased to Stakeholders from policymakers to NGOs—the importance of recognizing and supporting intersex rights as integral components of human rights.
- Networking Opportunities: Engaging with international allies will open pathways for collaboration that can sustain the Intersex Movement beyond these events.
- Strategic Advocacy: These events have provided a foundation for crafting precise advocacy strategies tailored to address specific issues affecting intersex individuals across different cultures within Asia (For Example, Advocacy for legal recognition for Intersex individuals)
- Creating Space: Also, these events illustrated the necessity of creating safe spaces where intersex voices can be amplified, fostering an environment conducive to learning, support, and innovation in advocacy efforts.
“I” Exist – The 4th Intersex Forum: The affirmation of existence
With the support from our local partner Campaign for Change Nepal, The 4th Intersex Forum shattered previous attendance records with almost doubling the number of participants compared to the previous forum. This surge in numbers carries significant meaning in the current political landscape, where attempts to erase intersex identities from history—including efforts by the new US Government—continue to threaten the community’s recognition and rights.
“I exist, and Intersex exists! Our presence in the forum proves that undeniable fact!,” said Hiker Chiu in the Forum’s opening remark at the forum. This powerful sentiment echoed throughout the gathering as intersex activists, organizations, and allies collaborated to strengthen connections, deepen mutual understanding, and chart strategic pathways forward. Not only to create vital spaces for community building, the Forum also facilitated crucial connections with potential donors who expressed unwavering commitment to supporting the intersex community despite the challenging funding environment.
Nurturing Future Leaders: A New Generation Rises
A particularly inspiring highlight of the forum was the graduation of twelve young intersex activists from Nepal and the Philippines. These emerging leaders completed the 4th IA Intersex Fellowship program and represent the future of intersex advocacy in their respective countries. Their graduation symbolizes the growing strength of the movement as it continues to shape the future of intersex rights across Asia.
We Exist – Strategic Engagement at ILGA Asia Conference 2025
ILGA Asia Conference 2025 is an important event for the LGBTQI+ community, gathering community voices, activists, and organizations globally. Intersex Asia and Campaign for Change Nepal demonstrated powerful leadership at the ILGA Asia Conference 2025, beginning with the organization of the Intersex Pre-conference. This preparatory event enabled the community to consolidate their positions and develop a comprehensive demand statement that would serve as their collective voice throughout the conference and in future advocacy efforts. “I” exist means not only individual but has become “We” exist!
During the main conference, Intersex Asia collaborated with OII Chinese, Campaign for Change Nepal, Intersex Philippines, and VOIS India to host a critical session addressing the alarming lack of intersex data in legal frameworks. Building on our published country research reports, the session presented a compelling overview of the current situation and issued a clear call for greater attention from authorities regarding the inclusion of intersex community in official data.
Charting the Future: Launch of 2025-2029 Strategic Plan
In a forward-looking move that signals organizational growth and vision, Intersex Asia, with support from the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), launched its new strategic plan for 2025-2029 during a special gathering at the ILGA Asia Conference. This launch marks a significant transition for the organization as it enters the next phase of development and addresses a critical stage for the intersex community across Asia.
Resilience Amid Challenges: The Path Forward
While 2025 has begun with remarkable momentum for Intersex Asia, we acknowledge the ongoing challenges, particularly around funding constraints. The lack of funding can greatly affect the ongoing initiatives to save intersex lives and help the community access the rights they deserve. Nevertheless, with more initiatives planned for the remainder of the year, community is still the key to our work. At the end of the ILGA Asia Conference 2025, our Board Member, Jeff Cagandahan, was selected to be the intersex representative on the board of ILGA Asia. Not only that, the next ILGA Asia conference will also be hosted in the Philippines. This is a major milestone and opportunity to raise awareness further and the voice of the intersex community now and in the future!
Our message resounds with clarity and determination: “‘I’ Exist, Intersex Exists, and We Exist!” This declaration of presence emphasizes the fundamental purpose behind all our work and operation—ensuring that intersex people are recognized, respected, and afforded their full human rights throughout Asia and beyond.
—————
We at Intersex Asia want to send our thanks to our donors and allies who have stood with us until now, including RFSL, Women’s Fund Asia, Urgent Action Fund Asia & Pacific, Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, FJS, MamaCash, COC Nederland and IPPF. Your unwavering support is what made these events possible and helped us and our community come this far.
