Intersex UK explained

Intersex UK
Type:NGO
Purpose:Intersex human rights
Region Served:United Kingdom, Ireland
Website:intersexuk.org

Intersex UK is an organisation by and for intersex people (those born with differences of sex development or variations of sex anatomy) in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Intersex UK works to protect the bodily autonomy and civil rights of intersex children, adolescents, and their families through government lobbying and educational outreach.

Mission

Intersex UK's mission is to end unnecessary surgeries and normalizing hormonal regimens on intersex infants and adolescents, promote bodily autonomy, and lobby for increased public education and access to identification documents with preferred gender markers.[1] [2]

Advocacy

Physical integrity and bodily autonomy

Co-founder Holly Greenberry spoke at the "first United Nations Human Rights Council side event on intersex issues" in March 2014, alongside Mauro Cabral and representatives of Organisation Intersex International Australia and Zwischengeschlecht.[3]

Greenberry was quoted in a feature in The Independent stating: “We are at a tipping point ... Most intelligent human beings would be completely surprised and utterly dismayed at the civil inequality and human rights abuses that healthy intersex children and young adults are facing.”[4] Greenberry also appeared with Abigail Tarttelin on BBC Radio 4 discussing challenges facing the intersex community as well as Tarttelin's novel, Golden Boy.[5]

Identification documents

Greenberry notes that intersex people in the United Kingdom are not able to change the gender shown on identification documents and thus do not have the right to marriage or civil partnerships, however this does not affect all intersex people.[6]

Media work

The organisation also undertakes media work to promote human rights.

See also

Notes and References

  1. http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/12/03/activists-call-on-uk-government-to-recognise-indeterminate-sex/ Activists call on UK Government to recognise indeterminate sex
  2. http://www.interfaceproject.org/bbcradio/ BBC Radio Manchester
  3. Web site: Intersex side event at the UN Human Rights Council . 28 May 2014 . . 2014-12-29 .
  4. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/special-report-intersex-women-speak-out-to-protect-the-next-generation-8974892.html Special report: Intersex women speak out to protect the next generation
  5. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01c815g Woman's Hour
  6. http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/06/13/debate-surrounds-intersex-inclusion-in-the-dsm-v/ Debate surrounds intersex inclusion in the DSM V