The global intersex movement has long exemplified resilience, solidarity, and the pursuit of justice. Despite operating with limited resources, we have achieved groundbreaking progress in advocacy, community building, and securing recognition for intersex rights. Co-hosted by the Intersex Human Rights Fund (IHRF) and the Global Philanthropy Project (GPP), the webinar “Collective Power to Protect Intersex Movements” happened at an important time, highlighting the urgent need for funding and mobilizing critical support, especially in the complex political landscape.
Reality of Intersex funding
The webinar highlighted the sobering reality of intersex funding: only 1% of global LGBTI funding is allocated to intersex communities. This amounts to just $10 million over two years, with intersex-focused groups receiving an even smaller share of $8.1 million. Despite this, intersex organizations continue to achieve transformative impact. For instance, SIPD Uganda’s mobile clinics have saved lives, while Intersex Asia has provided critical access to essential medicines and fostered grassroots activism. However, the funding limitation severely restricts the communities’ ability to expand the work and reach for people who need. These stories resonated deeply, emphasizing the need for sustained and strategic investment.
The event provided an opportunity for Intersex Asia to connect with intersex activists, funders, and human rights advocates to discuss the movement’s funding landscape and share success stories. It further amplified Intersex Asia’s work in 15 countries to provide life-saving support, advocate for policy changes, and strengthen regional collaboration. The need for cross-movement collaboration once again being raised
Catalyzing Change
The GPP’s “Fund Our Futures” campaign, aiming to secure $1 million by June, is a promising step to spark momentum for mobilizing new funding. This exciting campaign greatly motivates Intersex Asia to further revive the International Intersex Forum, a critical space for global solidarity and strategy. With donor support, we aim to host the next forum in 2027. This is part of Intersex Asia’s strategy to bring together intersex communities around the world for knowledge sharing and movement strategizing.
The webinar was a powerful reminder that while intersex activists will persist with or without funding, the cost of inaction is too high. Without resources, we risk undoing progress, silencing marginalized voices, and dismantling the fragile infrastructure that sustains our movement. We deeply thank the IHRF, GPP, and all webinar participants for their contributions. Their insights and solidarity reaffirmed the importance of intersex voices in philanthropy and human rights. We also thank the donors and allies who attended, signaling their commitment to supporting intersex communities.
The time to act is now. Let’s mobilize, collaborate, and build a future of justice and equality—together.
