Intersex Awareness Day 26 October 2017

Intersex Awareness Day October 26th 2017 – ITANZ launch new resource nationally

Intersex Awareness Day (IAD) 2017 – A statement from ITANZ & introducing a new resource for Aotearoa

Intersex Awareness Day 2017 (IAD 2017) highlights the progress of intersex led organisations in Aotearoa and around the world. On IAD 2017 the Intersex Trust of Aotearoa New Zealand (ITANZ) are proud to present our new resource; ‘All about Intersex’.

In Aotearoa we have vocal and passionate intersex people who are working within their own communities and with each other, educating, sharing their stories and integrating the experiences intersex people face day to day. ITANZ are developing new relationships to further improve access to health care and other every day social needs. This resource aims to further enhance the communities understanding of intersex people and improve the health and well-being for intersex people in Aotearoa.

Both individuals and organisations have stood beside ITANZ over the past 12 months and together we have learnt new language, process and shared our stories through resources, conferences, hui and media. Thank you for standing beside us, listening and teaching together. May we all enjoy and celebrate IAD 2017 together.

‘All about Intersex’, the resource is included as part of a package of resources available through the I’m Local Project and on the Intersex Youth Aotearoa and ITANZ websites. This resource is aimed at young people and their whanau, guardians or families nationally. We were elated to work with the artist Sam Orchard and RainbowYOUTH to develop this resource. We also want to thank InterACT and Pidgeon Pagonis for their inspiring information and ideas. You can see a video produced by RainbowYOUTH here for IAD 2017. We also want to especially thank Dr Elizabeth Kerekere who has featured in the ‘All about Intersex’ resource. We appreciate the care you take to stand alongside and support intersex people and their whanāu.

Alongside the development of our newest resource over the past year ITANZ has:

• developed submissions with the support of HRC NZ for the United Nations, with resulting recommendations for the NZ government, including:

1. implement a child rights-based health care protocol for intersex children that guarantees the rights to bodily integrity and self-determination

2. investigate incidents of surgical and other medical treatment of intersex children without informed consent, and provide redress

3. educate professionals on biological and physical sexual diversity and consequences of unnecessary interventions on children

4. provide free access to surgical intervention and treatment related to their intersex condition for intersex children

• Been involved in the second Intersex Round Table with selected health professionals and human rights experts nationally

• Attended the first Australasian Intersex Conference in March 2017, Sydney Australia, culminating in the ‘Darlington Statement’.

• Attended the ilga World Conference in November 2016, Bangkok Thailand, with Tiwhanawhana and RainbowYOUTH to support the successful bid for the 2019 Ilga World Conference being held in Wellington.

• Human Rights Watch – I Want to Be Like Nature Made Me

Upcoming events

• IAD 2017 Wellington – Dealing with Difference a talk with Mani Mitchell Friday October 27th, 12 noon – 1pm at Wellington Central Library.

• 2019 Ilga World Conference being held in Wellington March 2019.

• Nov 11-12 2017 Auckland - AISSG Intersex Support Conference New Zealand

ENDS

© Scoop Media