These activists come from all disciplines, but they have one thing in common: they all want to destigmatise and educate about intersex identities. There is no one way to be intersex, but by sharing their personal experiences, those on this list are giving parents the tools they need to care for their children.
With increased awareness about non-consensual surgeries done on intersex babies and the wide availability of medical knowledge, the fight for intersex rights is more public than ever. Intersex people deserve bodily autonomy just as much as anyone else. These activists are fighting to get that autonomy back.
Olive Wilson
As a founding member of Intersex Ireland, Olive Wilson is one of the few pioneers for intersex rights and visibility in the country. She shares her experience with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and her candid accounts work to destigmatise the condition. Olive often speaks on behalf of Intersex Ireland, making her a regular in community organising and protesting.
Caster Semenya
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This two-time recipient of a gold medal in the Olympics has been the subject of social media scrutiny since she was 18 years old. Caster Semenya faced discrimination from the International Association of Athletics Foundation to the point where they subjected her to gender testing behind closed doors.
When the test results were later leaked, Semenya learned about her intersex identity alongside the whole world. She took her case to court, and subsequently won against the IAAF in Europe. She is currently fighting against the testosterone rules that made her ineligible to compete.
Dan Christian Ghattas
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Executive director of Organisation Intersex International Europe, Dan Christian Ghattas has worked with major institutions such as the UN. He was one of the organisers of the first International Intersex Forum held in 2011 and has used his doctorate to publish a study on the situations of intersex people globally. Ghattas’s work is a hub for information on intersex individuals, and his contributions to politics and academia cannot be understated.
Seven Graham
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Not only is he a comedian and filmmaker, Seven Graham is an intersex activist and co-founder of the Amy Winehouse Foundation, an organisation that promotes addiction recovery amongst young people.
Beneath the media persona, Graham is a serious activist who has done wonders for intersex visibility. They executive produced Ponyboi, the world’s first intersex film starring intersex actor River Gallo.
Anick Soni
Anick Soni co-founded InterconnectedUK. With a specific focus on diversity in media and education, this campaigner has shared his studies with the wider world in a TED Talk. He is examining the way we portray bodies in mainstream media, and the intersex community is key to that view. With more awareness and visibility, Soni hopes to fight for the rights of the trans and intersex community.
Tony Briffa
Tony Briffa made history when they became the first intersex mayor and first intersex city councillor in the world. Before they were in office, Briffa worked as an intersex activist and shared their experience with non-consensual surgical procedures carried out on them by medical professionals. They advocated for the rights of intersex children and continue to do so today with their organisation Intersex Human Rights Australia.
Julius Kaggwa
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Kaggwa is currently an educator in Uganda leading SIPD, informing communities about intersex identities and fighting stigmas in Africa and Asia. In a country where homosexuality has been outlawed and is heavily discriminated against, Kaggwa is creating a safe space for queer Ugandans.
Hanne Gaby Odiele
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Inspired by trans models who had walked the catwalk before her, Hanne Gaby Odiele revealed to the public that she was intersex. She wanted to be the representation that she missed growing up in a small Belgian town.
Now, she works with InterACT to protect the rights of intersex kids everywhere and shares her surgical experiences with the world to caution against them and inform parents about the risks of unnecessary operations.
Sara R Phillips
An Irish native and intersex activist, Sara R Phillips founded Intersex Ireland. She also serves as chair for the board of directors for Ireland’s largest trans rights organisation, the Transgender Equality Network (TENI).
With the help of community volunteers, Phillips led the charge to pass the gender recognition act that allowed a trans person to put their preferred gender on their legal documents. Because of her efforts, Ireland became the fourth country to allow its citizens to determine their own gender identity.
That concludes our list. If you want to read about more intersex activists, click here. Remember that the fight for queer equality doesn’t only apply to sexuality. Follow these people’s lead, and don’t forget about intersex folks in your advocacy.
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