It’s estimated that around 1.7% of the human population has an intersex trait, and up to 0.5% have clinically identifiable sexual or reproductive intersex variations. Unfortunately, these people often face discrimination in all walks of life, even being subjected to ‘corrective surgeries’ without their consent. So, we had to ask: What is the most important information you need to know about this year’s Intersex Awareness Day?

👉 Official Name: Intersex Awareness Day
💚 Cause: Raise awareness and protect the human rights of intersex people
📅 Next Date: October 26, 2026
🌐 Official Website: https://intersexday.org/en/
🐦 Hashtag: #IntersexAwarenessDay

Keep on reading to find out all the important information about Intersex Awareness Day at a glance, including its big picture, why it’s important, and how you can get involved. We’ll then share its brief history, three interesting facts about it, its future dates, and how you’ll never miss any important awareness event again.

The Most Important Information About Intersex Awareness Day at a Glance

1️⃣ The big picture: Intersex Awareness Day is an annual event designed to highlight human rights issues faced by intersex people. The date of October 26 marks the anniversary of the first public demonstration by intersex people in the US, denouncing non-consensual infant genital surgeries and demanding that the medical industry take notice of their struggles. Between October 26 and November 8, intersex organizations, such as the Intersex Society of North America, raise awareness of the challenges faced by intersex people, reaching a climax on Intersex Day of Remembrance (November 8). 

2️⃣ Why it is important: Intersex people are rarely supported or even acknowledged. In fact, they are often subjected to unnecessary corrective surgeries to ensure they conform to gender norms. Intersex genital surgeries are considered to be human rights violations by the United Nations and the World Health Organization. Yet, very few countries have laws in place to protect intersex people from these non-consensual medication interventions. 

3️⃣ How you can get involved: You can get involved in Intersex Awareness Day by supporting intersex-led organizations, raising awareness on social media, hosting your own event, or flying the flag:

1. Support intersex organizations: You can volunteer or raise funds for organizations that support the intersex community. You can also adopt or recognize statements by intersex-led organizations, like the 2017 Vienna Declaration in Europe or the 2013 Malta Declaration. 
2. Raise awareness: Spread awareness of the struggles faced by intersex people on social media or share relevant informative resources, stories, videos, and memes using the hashtag #IntersexAwarenessDay.
3. Host an event: Raise awareness of the needs of the intersex community by hosting your own event. Consider screening a documentary like Intersexion, or you can even host a Q&A session with your local intersex-led organization.
4. Fly the flag: Download a PDF file of the official flag for Intersex Awareness Day and hang it with pride to promote the cause. 

Below are our favorite charities that are especially relevant for Intersex Awareness Day:

• Best Charities for LGBTQ+ Rights
• Best Charities for Diversity and Inclusion

A Brief History of Intersex Awareness Day

When was this event established: The first version of Intersex Awareness Day was marked in 1996 in response to the high rates of medical interventions being performed on intersex infants and children without their consent. The first celebration of the event as we know it today was held in 2003, with the establishment of a central awareness-raising site by Emi Koyama and Betsy Driver. 

How has it developed since then: Since its founding, Intersex Awareness Day has become a popular event with worldwide reach. For example, in 2013, the day before Intersex Awareness Day, the Australian Senate published a report on an inquiry titled the Involuntary or coerced sterilisation of intersex people in Australia. The following year, the New South Wales Legislative Council passed a motion marking Intersex Awareness Day and calling on the State government to “work with the Australian Government to implement the recommendations” of the 2013 Senate committee report. Similarly, in 2014, the Senate of the German Land of Berlin issued a statement calling for self-determination for intersex people.

3 Interesting Facts About Intersex Awareness Day

1. Intersex variations: An intersex individual is someone who has chromosomal, anatomical, or other biological characteristics that don’t fall into what society considers to be typically male or female. There are around 30 different ways that people can be classed as intersex, including 5-alpha reductase deficiency (a genetic condition that causes changes in testosterone, leading to genital differences) and ovotestis (a condition that causes someone to have both ovarian and testicular tissue). 
2. United Nations backing: In 2019, the UN Human Rights Office issued a Background Note on Human Rights Violations Against Intersex People. This document analyzed the specific human rights violations faced by intersex people, identifying gaps and challenges to ensure the human rights of all intersex people are respected and protected. 
3. Purple circle symbolism: The purple circle on the Intersex Pride Flag represents wholeness and the right for intersex people to be able to make decisions about their own bodies. The flag was created by intersex activist and researcher Morgan Carpenter in 2013.

Upcoming Dates of Intersex Awareness Day

Intersex Awareness Day is observed every year on October 26.