Intersex Day of Remembrance – Inter* – What is it?

4 Min. Lesezeit

The Intersex Day of Remembrance, also known as Intersex Solidarity Day, is an internationally observed day to raise awareness about the problems of intersex people. This day has been celebrated on 8 November since 2005. The Intersex Day of Remembrance was initiated by Joëlle-Circé Laramée, the then Canadian spokesperson for the organisation Intersex International.

IDoR on 8 November – Remembering Herculine Barbin

The Intersex Day of Remembrance (abbreviated IDoR) is celebrated worldwide on 8 November. The birthday of Herculine Adélaïde (Abel) Barbin, an intersex or intersexed and arguably non-binary person from France who lived in the 19th century. She became known to the public after a doctor determined that she was intersex. Her short and largely unhappy life highlights the need to work for greater acceptance of intersex people.

To promote this acceptance, education, advocacy for a ban on intersex genital mutilation (especially in newborns). Protection of intersex rights to dignity and equality, equal rights for all. And the protection of the rights of all are essential. The rights of intersex people to dignity and equality, equal access to primary health care. And also solidarity between intersex people and their families, friends and supporters.

The IDoR marks the end of a two-week period beginning on 26 October with Intersex Awareness Day. Overall, inter* people use these two weeks not only to celebrate themselves, but also to increase their visibility and also to raise awareness about their situation. The IDoR also aims to show ways to protect and further improve the rights of inter* people.

Inter* sexuality or inter* gender – What does that mean?

Intersexuality is the medical description for people who biologically stand between the socially accepted medical definitions of the male and female gender classification system, so to speak. This means that they may show variations in hormonal balance, chromosomes, internal or external genitalia, or any combination of some or all primary and/or secondary sexual characteristics. However, while some people are identified or diagnosed as intersex at birth, very many are not.

Because intersexuality is only about biological sex, it is distinct from gender identity and sexual orientation. It is important to know that intersexuality is not a gender identity. Depending on their individual gender perception, intersex people see themselves as female, male or non-binary.

No reliable information can be given about the frequency of intersexuality. As the existing definitions used in each case are too different. The estimates vary between one case per 4,500 to 5,500 births and one case per 1,200 to 1,300 births. In Germany, since 2018, it has been possible to register with the gender designation “divers” in the civil status register. The waiver of a gender entry had already been possible since 2013.

The term intersexuality is an obsolete medical term. In the German-speaking world, many people therefore now prefer the term intersexuality. In this way, the misunderstanding that a person is assigned to a wrong sexual orientation can also be avoided. The reference to biological sex also becomes clearer, and desexualisation is promoted. The terms “endogender” or “endosexual” have developed here as “counter-terms” to the terms “intersexual” or “intersexual”.

Trans- and intersexuality – Various problematic issues

It is not uncommon for intersexuality and transsexuality to be mentioned in the same breath. However, this is not correct, because there are significant differences. While the term intersex describes the presence of ambiguously male or female physical sex characteristics, transgender persons suffer primarily from the social gender attributed to them and the resulting limitations.

Both have in common that the topic of trans- and intersexuality is about the medical and social handling of a particularly sensitive and vulnerable area of the human being. What is meant here is gender identity. Gender expressions that do not correspond to the generally accepted social ideas have been and still are the cause of rejection, hostility and discrimination. This leads to immense pressure to conform to the two-gender norm.

For this reason, many intersex people tend to hide their physical variations and accept the assigned gender role. Transgender people, on the other hand, suppress their chosen gender identity and their inner truth, sometimes for decades. As a result, they often have to struggle with psychological and serious psychosomatic illnesses. They usually overcome these when existing blockages are resolved in the course of a sex change. All the problems that arise from intersexuality mentioned here show how important a day like the Intersex Day of Remembrance is.

Discrimination and invisibility as challenges

This seems to be urgently necessary, because inter* people, like trans* and non-binary people, are still and increasingly exposed to discrimination and are not sufficiently perceived. This is especially true in educational institutions such as schools, training centres and universities.

An accepting, informed and appreciative approach to gender diversity is particularly important with regard to a successful educational and employment biography. Inter* persons interviewed experience it as extremely helpful and are relieved when they encounter specialists at school, in the administrations of vocational schools or universities. But also in state authorities as well as in the health care system, who have dealt with the topic and have a correspondingly sensitive approach towards inter* persons.

From 2010 onwards, the German Ethics Council has dealt with the situation of intersex people. In 2012, the Council published a statement on behalf of the then Federal Government. In this statement, it expressed the opinion that intersex people are part of the diversity of society. As such, they should expect the respect and support of society. The Council further stated that intersex people should be protected from medical malpractice and discrimination.

On 7 May 2021, the law amending the Eighth Book of the Social Code (SGB VIII) was passed in the Federal Council. Which means that for the first time ever, a significant legal text contains the mention of transgender, non-binary and intersex people in § 9, paragraph 3. The text of the law reads: „When designing the services and fulfilling the tasks, … 3. the different life situations of girls, boys as well as transgender, non-binary and intersex young people shall be taken into account, disadvantages shall be reduced and gender equality shall be promoted.“

Counselling projects and inter* groups

In the meantime, the topic of intersex is enjoying growing attention. At the nationwide and worldwide Prides (Christopher Street Day), inter* people or entire groups show increased presence. And are now an integral part of the demonstration marches and other events during Pride Weeks. In addition, numerous self-help groups for inter* people have emerged in recent years. And there are inter* counselling centres where people can get support. Such initiatives, like the Intersex Day of Remembrance, aim to make it clear that inter* people are not alone in dealing with the challenges of being intersex.

 

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