The Intersex Pre-Conference took place on February 24, 2025, as part of the broader ILGA Asia Conference in Soaltee Hotel, Kathmandu, Nepal. This significant gathering brought together over 30 intersex individuals from various countries across Asia, fostering a space for dialogue and exchange of experiences.
Specific objectives of this pre-conference;
- Creating a safe space for intersex individuals to engage and empower each other
- Listening to Voices and demands of intersex people in Asia
- Learning intersex issues between Intersex people in Asia
- Highlighting “I” Exist, Intersex Rights are Human Rights
- Strengthening Regional Networks to include intersex voices
The intersex pre-conference facilitated connections between intersex activists, organizations, and allies across Asia to foster regional solidarity and collaboration on intersex rights.
Throughout this event, participants immersed themselves in insightful discussions and collaborative activities that fostered a vibrant exchange of ideas. These interactions ultimately led to identifying key priorities and formulation of important recommendations aimed at stakeholders. Furthermore, participants crafted clear and impactful messages meant for ILGA Asia, ensuring their voices were heard and their collective insights would resonate within the broader community.
Our key messages to ILGA Asia
- Acknowledge and prioritize the perspectives and insights of the intersex board when addressing intersex issues within the ILGA Asia board.
- Ensure that the Intersex Board’s voices are not only heard but also actively integrated into discussions regarding intersex scholarship selection for ILGA Asia.
- Allocate 10% of the scholarship fund to Intersex individuals for their participation in the ILGA Asia event. This allocation is essential as it highlights the importance of including voices from the Intersex community such as Intersex youth, Intersex transgender individuals, and those identifying across the spectrum of Intersex identities.
- Create more space for intersex to raise intersex awareness and to engage in meaningful participation in the ILGA Asia
- Reduce the ILGA Asia registration fee as it gives accessibility for grassroots level and other small LGBTQI organizations to attend the ILGA conference.
- Respect and adapt the statement/ resolutions outlined in the Asian Intersex Statement 2023 as a guide for the Asian Intersex Movement.
- Support the movement to affirm that “I” Exist: Intersex Rights are Human Rights as It is crucial to amplify our voices and raise awareness about the existence and rights of intersex individuals across the globe.
- Include and ensure a secure space for all intersex individuals in all activities and events organized by ILGA Asia.
- Increase the support for raising intersex awareness in the Asia LGBTQ+ movement.
Key priorities/issues
- Access to good health and mental health for intersex communities is a critical issue that demands attention and action
- The implementation of reservation policies in education and employment is crucial to ensure equitable opportunities for intersex communities.
- The right to legal recognition for intersex communities is a crucial aspect of advancing human rights
- The practice of performing unnecessary surgeries on intersex individuals during childhood must be stopped. It is essential to raise awareness about the harmful impacts of these surgeries, which are often conducted without the informed consent of the individuals affected.
Lack of data regarding intersex individuals in Nepal’s national census presents significant challenges. - Lack of education, health care, job opportunities for Intersex Individuals remains a significant issue that warrants urgent attention.
- Discrimination in the education sector against intersex individuals is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention and action. There should be reservations for Intersex Individuals in the education sector.
- Advocacy is crucial in the ongoing discussion about the categorization of intersex individuals, emphasizing that intersex is not a disorder. (For Example: Indonesia, intersex variations are often mislabeled as disorders)
- Enhancing the abilities of intersex individuals, with a particular focus on developing their soft skills, such as proficiency in English, is essential.
- Raising the visibility of intersex individuals across all social movements—including human rights advocacy, pro-democracy efforts, and the broader LGBTQ+ movement—is essential for fostering inclusivity and promoting equality.
- In Indonesia, the availability of mental health support for intersex individuals is alarmingly low, with only three psychologists specializing. This scarcity of specialized mental health professionals underscores the urgent need for more comprehensive mental health resources and awareness to address the psychological well-being of intersex people, who often encounter social stigma, discrimination, and a lack of understanding from society.
- Collaborating with medical institutions that focus on SOGIESC to provide inclusive and comprehensive health care services for Intersex communities.
- The highest medical authority in Thailand has officially announced the release of new terminology and regulations concerning gender-affirming procedures specifically for intersex, non-binary, and transgender individuals.
- The Human Rights Commission is currently operating in silos, particularly in Thailand.
- The specific issues and challenges experienced by intersex individuals are often not clearly articulated or understood within society, leading to a lack of awareness and appropriate support for their unique needs and identities.
- It is essential that intersex individuals are provided with legal recognition that acknowledges their unique identities.
- Lack of understanding and awareness of intersex individuals is a pressing issue that leads to misconceptions and stigma.
- Infants and children born with intersex traits often undergo non-consensual, medically unnecessary surgeries that can cause lifelong harm.
- Intersex individuals lack legal recognition and protection, leading to discrimination in identity documents, healthcare, and education. (For example, In Bangladesh).
- Widespread societal misconceptions and cultural taboos result in exclusion, bullying, and lack of family and community acceptance.
- Access to health care, particularly accessing medications for children diagnosed with intersex variations, such as Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), is very expensive in the Philippines.
- As a result of the suspension of funding from the US Government, the majority of the project work is suspended, particularly the community mobilization.
Our Message to the Donors/ Stakeholders
- We request continued funding support – Continued support from Donors will drive advocacy efforts, achieve legal recognition, and empower communities
- Create dedicated funding for intersex-led organizations, separate from the funding designated for the overall LGBTQ community.
- Create flexible funding for Intersex organizations.
- Support intersectional manner.
- Creating opportunities and pathways for those who are underprivileged
- Look beyond political issues and focus on the urgent realities intersex people face, which are the lack of healthcare, legal recognition, and basic rights.
- Collaborate and work with cabinet.
- Universal healthcare schemes should be designed with an intersectional approach that recognizes and incorporates intersex individuals.
- Medical professionals actively supporting our efforts need to advocate for funds for gender-affirming care for Intersex Individuals.
Read more about the 4th Asian Intersex Forum and the Intersex Asia’s engagement in ILGA Asia Conference 2025 here
