Intersex Awareness Day

25/10/2024

Diversity

Intersex is an umbrella term that refers to individuals who have anatomical, chromosomal or hormonal characteristics that differ from medical and conventional understandings of male and female bodies. There are at least 40 different variations that may be apparent at different life stages or may remain unknown to the individual and their medical practitioners.

Intersex Awareness Day is observed internationally on 26 October, the anniversary of the first demonstration by intersex advocates at the 1996 annual conference of the American Academy of Paediatrics.

Intersex Awareness Day is a day to celebrate intersex people and an opportunity to highlight human rights issues faced by intersex people, particularly in relation to physical autonomy and self-determination.

More information, including information on how to be an ally to intersex people, is available on Intersex Human Rights Australia’s website.