October 26th – Intersex Awareness Day

All over the world, newborns are subjected to reassignment surgeries and hormone treatments in a desperate attempt to fit their appearance into the canons and prejudices established by modern society. These procedures are carried out, in most cases, without the consent of the person themselves, which represents a gross violation of human rights. On the other hand, their parents are exposed to strong medical pressure to give their consent for such treatments and surgeries, without being fully aware of the negative repercussions (probably irreversible) that these procedures may have. 

This problem is widespread worldwide, and very few countries have taken strong actions to curb this kind of practice. More than 1 percent of the world’s population is born with intersex characteristics, and their human rights are worth as much as those of any other person. That is why this October 26th, we at IFT commit to Intersex Awareness Day, claiming the inviolability of their physical and mental integrity, as well as their protection against discrimination based on sexual characteristics.

We have prepared a leaflet with a list of 26 positive attitudes, compiled by InterACT,  that an ally of intersex people can take, and we invite you to review it. They cannot fight alone, and they should not.

October 26th, because intersex rights are human rights.