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WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the Congressional Equality Caucus released the following statements to mark Intersex Awareness Day:
“As we celebrate Intersex Awareness Day, the full force of the Equality Caucus stands with the intersex community, not just today, but every day,” said Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “Intersex people are valid and valued members of the LGBTQI+ community, and it is on all of us to ensure the government is addressing the needs of intersex people. I’m honored to be leading the charge to protect intersex peoples’ rights in Congress and to join Co-Chair Becca Balint in introducing a resolution recognizing Intersex Awareness Day."
“This is about basic human dignity. There are 5.6 million intersex Americans who are no less worthy of respect and dignity than anyone else,” said Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “Every kid born with intersex traits deserves to live free of discrimination and exclusion. And it’s critical the LGBTQI+ community work to raise awareness of the stories and needs of intersex people. I’m proud to introduce this resolution with Chair Pocan to stand up for intersex Americans and affirm the universal right to bodily autonomy.”
BACKGROUND
Intersex Awareness Day is celebrated annually on October 26th to affirm the dignity and universal human right to bodily autonomy of intersex people.
Earlier this week, Co-Chair Becca Balint and Chair Mark Pocan introduced an Intersex Awareness Day Resolution, which:
- Supports for the goals and ideals of Intersex Awareness Day;
- Encourages the federal government, states, localities, nonprofit organizations, schools, and community organizations to observe the day with appropriate programs and activities, with the goal of increasing public knowledge of the intersex community and empowering individuals to celebrate and respect their diversity;
- Encourages health care providers to offer culturally and clinically competent care to the intersex community, and schools to support education regarding the intersex community, and connect individuals to resources for young people with intersex variations and their families; and,
- Encourages the federal government, states, international funding organizations, and United States bilateral and multilateral aid efforts to prioritize the health and human rights of intersex people.
Earlier this week, Chair Pocan also led a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services thanking them for their leadership on intersex equality and asking for an update on their report on advancing health equity for intersex people.
Congressional Equality Caucus members have introduced a number of intersex-inclusive bills this Congress. This includes H.R. 15, the Equality Act, which would ensure explicit nondiscrimination protections for the LGBTQI+ community in key areas of life. The bill explicitly clarifies that prohibited sex discrimination includes discrimination on the basis of sex characteristics, including intersex traits.
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