Intersex Awareness Day

On October 26, 1996, intersex activists from around the world gathered in Boston, Massachusetts, outside the annual American Academy of Pediatrics conference for the first public demonstration by intersex people in North America. Since then, this day has been observed annually on October 26to raise awareness of the issues intersex individuals face, promote understanding and acceptance, and advocate for their rights and access to respectful and supportive healthcare practices.

Intersex people are born with natural variations in their biological sex characteristics — simply put, their bodies fit outside the strict male/female binary. It’s important to recognize that intersex is a natural part of human diversity — not a medical condition to be changed or fixed. Medical practitioners’ failure to comprehend and recognize this has led to traumatizing situations for intersex individuals, especially minors who undergo surgeries without proper explanation of their characteristics. Over the years, the internet and social media helped break the silence surrounding intersex issues, allowing intersex individuals to connect, share their stories, and ultimately find solidarity.