Learn more about what you can do to take action.
Protect and Expand Intersex and Trans Rights
Background Information:
Trans, intersex, and reproductive rights are inextricably linked, and there is so much work to be done in these areas. This year alone, 586 anti-trans bills were brought forward in legislatures across the nation, 85 of which passed. Many of these bills deny gender affirming care to people who can consent and want access to this care, yet force non-consensual and unwanted surgeries on intersex people. This is a clear example of how these types of laws, like abortion bans, are intended to take away someone’s bodily autonomy and place control over what someone can and cannot do with their own body. Although California has some protections in place to protect trans and intersex people, across the country, a lot more can be done to protect and expand their rights.
Take Action!
- Host a Screening of Every Body in Your Community!
- Every Body is available on Peacock, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.
- Educate Yourself and Learn more About Attacks on Intersex People’s Rights
- Read this FAQ
- Learn more about Intersex Day of Solidarity
- Check out these resources on how to be intersex inclusive:
- Be an Advocate for Intersex Rights
- Read anti-trans legislation critically and ask yourself how it could harm the intersex community as well.
- Ask your local elected official what their plans are for supporting the rights of intersex people and ask them to protect and expand intersex and trans rights. Find your representative here and check out our sample email below!
Sample Email for Legislators:
Dear ______,
My name is ________ and I’m a constituent in your district. I’m reaching out to ask that you support the protection and expanding of rights for trans and intersex people in our communities. This year alone, 586 anti-trans bills were brought forward in legislatures across the nation, 85 of which passed. The rapid increase in anti-trans legislation is alarming, and I urge you to do everything in your power to stand against harmful and discriminatory legislation designed to take away the rights of transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive people.
I have recently become more aware about the nonconsensual, forced surgeries imposed on intersex people throughout the country. I am horrified and dismayed by the fact that these surgeries are legal in many places and want to express my strong opposition to these medically unnecessary surgeries. It is estimated that roughly 1.7% of the population is born intersex – the equivalent of about 5.6 million U.S. residents. Being intersex is natural, normal, and shouldn’t be stigmatized or attacked.
I ask that you support legislation that protects the rights of trans and intersex people in California and across the country and that you stand strongly in opposition to any bills that come before you that attack trans and intersex people’s rights, and infringe on anyone’s bodily autonomy. That includes supporting attempts to ban unnecessary surgeries on intersex people at the state level, and supporting legislation such as S.5399/A.5627 in New York, which requires the New York State Department of Health to conduct a public information and outreach campaign on medically unnecessary treatments performed on intersex individuals.
As your constituent and as a strong supporter of reproductive freedom for all, it is important for me to express that intersex justice issues, like forced sterilization and nonconsensual surgeries, societal stigma and medical negligence are deeply concerning to me. I am staunchly against all laws that attempt to take away someone’s bodily autonomy and place control over what someone can and cannot do with their own body, including forced surgeries and abortion bans. I ask that you stand with your constituents on these important matters.
Thank you for your time,
________