Sign in

interACT Advocates

@interact.bsky.social
1.9K followers 199 following 397 posts

We see a world in which intersex people make their own choices about their bodies. Policy & media organization. Inquiries: info@interactadvocates.org Media: media@interactadvocates.org

PostsRepliesMedia
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The survey is open through October 7th — make your voice heard!
034
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Protesting against intersex genital mutilation, Boston, 1996 / Sharing the story with national journalists, San Francisco, 2026. Same banner, different worlds. Thank you to @nlgjaofficial.bsky.social for hosting an intersex rights talk for journalists. Our stories deserve to be shared.
0326
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
When intersex young people first look for others—it’s often out of necessity. They want to feel less alone or find support through struggle. At our healing retreat, being intersex isn’t just about the hard times. It's a reminder that being intersex can make your life richer than you’d ever imagine.
A group photo of Healing and Wellness Retreat participants on a deck holding an intersex flag.
1174
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
When we say “we want to hear from LGBTQIA2S+ students,” we mean all LGBTQIA2S+ students. That means intersex students, too. If this describes you—or someone you know—please take Glisten's National School Climate Survey or share it today: glisten.org/nscs27
Help us reach every voice. We want to hear from LGBTQIA2S+ students in the U.S. Take the Survey. glisten.org, Glisten's logo.
054
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
The International Olympic Committee abandoned universal chromosome screening in 1999 following sustained criticism from researchers, clinicians and athletes. Now, more than 25 years later, broad genetic screening is returning to elite women's sport. www.thefirstserve.com.au/post/the-ove...
thefirstserve.com.au
The overlooked consequence of WTA's new sex testing policy
The WTA has introduced mandatory genetic testing for every player seeking to compete on the women's professional tour.The policy has largely been discussed through the lens of transgender participatio...
043
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
This policy has the greatest potential to impact intersex cisgender women—especially because many of them don’t know they are intersex. There are no known trans women playing on the WTA Tour. But there are plenty of cis women who will now have to go through medical tests to prove their eligibility
02516
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Intersex people can live empowered & joyous lives. We just need community! interACT proudly funded youth advocates for this year's InterConnect conference. "Seeing intersex pride for the first time in my life took me out of my isolation; these were some of the realest people I've ever met." - Blair
0141
Reposted by interACT Advocates
Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Thousands attend Trans and Intersex Pride in Dublin.
irishtimes.com
Thousands attend transgender and intersex pride march in Dublin
‘Our bodies, our lives, our right to decide’: demonstrators call for bodily autonomy and better access to healthcare
745894
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
2026 Staff and Board Retreat! This isn't an easy time to be a tiny org repping 2% of the population. The political attacks against intersex people are real. But we have big dreams, and serious plans to achieve them. We believe in a future with justice for intersex people, in our lifetimes.
Staff and board of interACT smiling in front of trees. Several of us wear purple shirts with interACT's logo and an intersex moth reading "Intersex is Infinite."
0161
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Today's Supreme Court ruling is heartbreaking for the trans and intersex girls who want to play, learn, and thrive alongside their peers.
1165
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
What would you say to someone who hasn't yet found their intersex pride? 👀 For us, pride is finding joy in existing outside of the binary. Nearly 2% of people are born with intersex traits - we're not rare, just made invisible. interACT was so honored to march and table at Capital Pride in DC! 💜💛
Keni waves at the camera in rainbow jewelry and an intersex flag wrapped around them. Behind them is a "protect our queer trans intersex kids" sign and several people in intersex shirts / holding intersex flags.A group holds a banner reading interACT Advocates for Intersex Youth. One holds a sign reading "Born to Sparkle", many are in yellow and purple with intersex flags wrapped around them. They stand on a street before the parade.An intersex youth holds the intersex flag out worn as a cape and holds a sign reading "Protect our Queer trans and intersex kids!"Marchers wrapped in the intersex flag walk past a government building in DC
0143
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
As the Trump administration tries to twist Title IX against LGBTQI+ youth in schools, civil rights protections are critical. Congressmembers introduced a resolution to mark the anniversary of Title IX, calling for its protections to be honored, especially for trans, intersex & nonbinary students.
Intersex students deserve equal protections in schools. Commemorating the anniversary of Title IX, Congressmembers insist protections are enforced.
0197
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
interACT joined the National Black Justice Collective in DC! We met with lawmakers on reparative justice, censorship, and intersex healthcare. “It felt so affirming to participate in both advocacy and joy with other Black LGBTQIA+ folk on the Hill and at the Equity Ball.” -Milan, DMV Youth Advocate
Bria, Milan and Apollo hold the intersex flag in front of Congress.Representatives holding signs for the Reparative Justice Agenda speak at a press conference in front of Congress.
0134
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Rest in power, Emi Koyama. Emi was an intersex and transgender activist who worked for the Intersex Society of North America, co-founded Intersex Awareness Day, and is known for her work in third-wave feminism and transfeminism. Learn from Emi on intersex liberation: bolaurent.com/blog/interse...
Honoring Emi Koyama. Emi is pictured in a photograph with her two small dogs. Emi is a Japanese-American person with medium-length dark hair wearing a black-and-grey shirt. The background is purple with yellow leaves and clouds.
04613
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Like any other worker, an intersex employee’s talents and contributions should be what counts—not others’ biased beliefs about who ‘counts’ as male or female. These forms of sex discrimination will have consequences.
0168
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Aces Fox, a former competitive track and field sprinter, was raised as a girl and won two junior Olympics gold medals competing against both boys and girls. At 19, Fox found out they were intersex. Now, the IOC plans to test adults and minors—who may discover life-altering results at a young age.
172
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
interACT is here to support intersex youth as they grow into confident advocates. This year, we're building local! Meet our advocates from the DMV. They're planting meaningful roots for intersex rights in their own backyards—at community events, DC Pride, and even the Capitol. Drop them a welcome!
Welcome DMV Intersex Youth Advocacy Cohort. Images in instagram-style boxes of Nessa Calvin, Milan, Myrtle, Keni, and Naomi. interACT's logo sits on a background of the Lincoln Monument
150
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Intersex people can do anything. CONGRATULATIONS to the 2026 graduating class of interACT Youth, moving up in the world with high school, college, and even Master’s degrees. Shout out to Tanis, Arcade Denali (+very cool grad cap) and Natalie!
Tanis in a green graduation cap and gown. Arcade Denali in a red decorated cap in a large graduation hall. Arcade Denali's intersex-themed graduation cap with purple orchids and yellow ribbon, reading "I have become anyone imaginable today"Natalie in a black cap and gown with her track shoes along the track field.
1142
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Howard's child Zebb was born intersex. Doctors pushed for cosmetic surgery. “'It’s just the wildest thing to say,' Howard says. 'Because he’s a literal newborn.' And already, someone was predicting his future dissatisfaction with his body and his identity." www.unclosetedmedia.com/p/for-the-pa...
unclosetedmedia.com
For the Parents of Intersex Kids, Deciding how to Proceed Isn’t Easy
In the U.S., thousands of infants with intersex traits undergo medically unnecessary genital surgeries each year, often before they can consent.
1128
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Do you live near DC? What if you marched (or rode) along with us for Pride 🌈👀 We will be repping intersex pride in the parade, followed by a day of tabling and intersex education. Come along! 💜💛 Join us by emailing Bria Brown-King at bria@interactadvocates.org.
March with us at DC Pride! Saturday June 20th Washington, DC. Email Bria Brown-King with questions: bria@interactadvocates.org. Image of a parent of an intersex kid with a sign that reads "Protect our queer, trans, intersex kids!" Below is a second group photo of intersex people and allies with an interACT banner.
001
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Make your voice count where it matters most during OUT on the Hill Advocacy Day! 📍 Washington, D.C. 📅 June 11 interACT will join @nbjc.bsky.social as we drop into Congress together. Come along to meet lawmakers & push for what our communities actually need! ➡️ www.eventbrite.com/e/equity-wee...
Equity Week from NBJC. June 10th Opening Reception: Enjoy a night of community building and fun as we kick off the week of action. June 11th out on the hill: Connect directly with lawmakers and staff to advance critical legislation for our community. June 12: The Equity Ball. Legendary houses. Real prizes. Unmatched energy. A full celebration of who we are.
021
Reposted by interACT Advocates
North West Bylines @northwestbylines.co.uk · 06/05/2026
Many cis women don’t want a possible ban of trans women from single-sex spaces, and fear wider consequences of judging on appearance | Sophie Molly
northwestbylines.co.uk
Do all cis women support single-sex spaces being based on ‘biological sex’?
Many cis women don’t want a possible ban of trans women from single-sex spaces, and fear wider consequences of judging on appearance
1626860
Reposted by interACT Advocates
Alexander Berezkin @birchalexander.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
I didn’t know that my #intersex variation has its own awareness day. I was diagnosed with Klinefelter “syndrome” at 17 through genetic testing (karyotyping). Yes, it affects my body and metabolism, but it does not determine my cognitive abilities, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
1127
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
May 10th is Klinefelter Awareness Day - did you know there are people born with XXY chromosomes, instead of XY? Far from being rare, Klinefelter Syndrome is as common as 1 in 500 babies who are assigned male at birth.
Klinfelter Syndrome Awareness Day May 10 XXY Who said "rare?" Klinefelter Syndrome is as common as 1 in 500
22914
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
At 18, Ryanna had never been through puberty. She had no sense of smell. She had cramps, but no bleeding. Ryanna had questions, and so did doctors. Then, an MRI revealed she was missing half of her pituitary gland. Ryanna had Kallmann Syndrome—she was intersex. interactadvocates.org/ryanna-my-li...
interactadvocates.org
Ryanna: My Life with Kallmann Syndrome
Ryanna lives with Kallmann Syndrome, an intersex variation usually resulting in a late puberty or one that goes differently than expected.
1103
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
You’ve seen what happens when people show up for intersex rights. One conversation ripples outward—to families, to providers, to entire systems. We're inviting you to the interCircle—the giving community fueling change. Can you be one of 20 new monthly supporters? interactadvocates.org/intercircle
Two interACT youth pose with staff members Apollo and Erika holding an intersex flag in front of Congress.
0128
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
When providers are intersex-educated, change is possible. This year we spoke with genetics students about the long history of medical harm and how to do better by intersex people. Change starts with them—and your support. Join the interCircle & power this work. 👉 interactadvocates.org/intercircle/
Affirming providers are the future. interACT: Advocates for intersex youth. Bria Brown-King and Dr. Coons smile together at a training for genetic counseling students at Massachusetts General Hospital.
083
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Kinds of chromosomes people can have: XX, XY, XO, XXY, XYY, XXYY, XXXY, XXXXY, XXX, XXXX, XXXXX, or mosaicism/chimerism (a mix of XX/XY, XY/XYY, XO/XX, etc.) Many chromosomal variations are identified at birth or at some point throughout life. But some people would never know without testing.
224090
Reposted by interACT Advocates
Mars @marstectomy.eurosky.social · 28/04/2026
"Protect women!" they say as they force all women to go through nonsense shit like this because truly they just hate women that much. As noted in the article, this will also affect intersex and women of color. Transphobia, racism and intersexism go hand in hand more often than not!
12513
Reposted by interACT Advocates
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
All girls and women with Olympic dreams will now be subjected to mandatory genetic testing. Most headlines focused on the transgender women impacted. But that misses a bigger story: the policy creates a system where officials decide who is “woman enough” to compete. www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
latimes.com
Contributor: A sex test for Olympic contenders harms all women
All girls and women with Olympic dreams will be subjected to mandatory genetic testing. That's a violation of privacy and a move away from guaranteeing equal access.
54625
Reposted by interACT Advocates
Myrtle "Modern-Day Monroe" Faust 🌿🧿 @myrtlemystic.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Intersex children matter <3
06328
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
When parents first hear the word “intersex”, many feel alone. Some have fears for their child’s future. But they aren't alone. We are here to answer questions and talk about bodily autonomy. When you join our giving community, you are there for them, too. interactadvocates.org/intercircle/
interactadvocates.org
Join interACT’s interCircle to invest in intersex joy + justice!
When you give monthly, you become a part of interACT’s interCircle—a dedicated community investing in a world where intersex people flourish
094
Reposted by interACT Advocates
FORGE @forgeforwardtrans.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Intersex youth are being sexually victimized by the medical industry. Many are subjected to invasive and unnecessary medical procedures to make them fit into the inaccurate and stereotypical “male” or “female” categories. These surgeries are a form of state-sanctioned sexual violence. This must end.
Text inside teal and purple text boxes on a black background, surrounded by newspaper clippings. The intersex flag in black and white. Text: "Intersex Children are Sexually Abused by the Medical Industry. Many intersex youth are forced to undergo invasive procedures to make them "normal." These procedures, which are not medically necessary, are a form of state-sanctioned sexual violence and genital mutilation." Text inside teal and purple text boxes on a black background, surrounded by newspaper clippings. Text: "What Does Intersex Mean? Intersex people are born with sex characteristics (like chromosomes, hormones, or genitalia) that don’t fit typical definitions of “male” or “female.” Being intersex is a natural variation in human biology — not a medical problem that needs to be “fixed.” There are over 40 known intersex variations. Intersex people make up nearly 2% of the population — roughly the same as the number of twins or people with red hair."Text inside teal and purple text boxes on a black background, surrounded by newspaper clippings. Text: "Forced Medical Procedures. Many intersex infants and children are subjected to surgeries, hormone treatments, or other interventions without their consent. These procedures often aim to make a child’s body appear more "typical" male or female. They are not medically necessary and do not improve the child's health. Survivors describe these interventions as traumatic and violating, causing lifelong physical and psychological harm. Forcing children to have unnecessary examinations and procedures on their genitalia is a form of genital mutilation and state-sanctioned sexual violence."Text inside teal and purple text boxes on a black background, surrounded by newspaper clippings. Text: "Take Action! Educate yourself about intersex people and the harms of non-consensual surgeries. Speak up when you hear misinformation — intersex people deserve understanding and respect, not erasure. Advocate for legislation that bans medically unnecessary surgeries on intersex infants and children. Follow and support organizations working to support intersex youth and prevent invasive procedures. InterACT: (@interact_adv); Intersex Justice Project: (@intersexjusticeproject) Forge Forwad: (@forge_forward); U.S. End FGM/C Network: (@usendfgmnetwork); SVPA: Preventing state-sanctioned sexual violence (@SVPAOfficial)."]
195
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
All girls and women with Olympic dreams will now be subjected to mandatory genetic testing. Most headlines focused on the transgender women impacted. But that misses a bigger story: the policy creates a system where officials decide who is “woman enough” to compete. www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
latimes.com
Contributor: A sex test for Olympic contenders harms all women
All girls and women with Olympic dreams will be subjected to mandatory genetic testing. That's a violation of privacy and a move away from guaranteeing equal access.
54625
Reposted by interACT Advocates
pretentiousjackal.bsky.social @pretentiousjackal.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
The truly scariest part of puberty is no one telling you jackshit about how it works and talking about it in mysterious and alienating ways. I could only imagine how being intersex turns that up to an 11.
071
Reposted by interACT Advocates
Wade @wadewarrens.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
A touching coming-of-age reflection about the messiness, but more importantly the beauty, of human biological differences.
031
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Sex testing has been used by sporting bodies to target women athletes who, often through variations in their sex characteristics, or intersex traits, have higher than typical natural testosterone. The practice has been debunked as unethical, unscientific, and unworkable. www.hrw.org/news/2026/04...
hrw.org
Sex Testing All Women Athletes is a Discriminatory Rights Violation
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced last week that they are going to genetically sex test all women athletes. The newly announced policy follows a secret process the IOC initiated last...
0106
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Tanis has always loved to read. When he never saw a body like his in "The Care and Keeping of You" or any book, he set out to discover why. The result? A journey to gender, hormones, and intersex diagnoses that taught him to embrace queerness and complexity. interactadvocates.org/my-body-wasn...
interactadvocates.org
My body wasn’t in The Care and Keeping of You
Youth Advocate Tanis has always loved to read. When he never saw a body like his in any stack of books, he set out to discover why.
0165
Reposted by interACT Advocates
PinkNews @pinknews.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
WNBA player Brianna Turner has come out in support of trans women in sports following the IOC’s recent ban on trans women in female Olympic events. Turner recently penned an opinion piece for USA Today, titled ‘I'm a WNBA player, don't use athletes like me to exclude trans women’. 📷 Getty
Brianna Turner holding a basketball with the quote: “Do not use the names of women athletes to target, shame or exclude transgender women. Transgender women are women. Women with intersex variations are women. I welcome these women – and all women – onto my teams.”
1437
Reposted by interACT Advocates
ACLU @aclu.org · 10/04/2026
Pros like Brianna Turner have made it abundantly clear what women athletes need — attacking and excluding trans and intersex athletes isn't on the list.
usatoday.com
I'm a WNBA player. Don't use athletes like me to exclude trans women.
IOC's policy invites unequal scrutiny. We cannot choose our genes or chromosomes, but we can choose whether we protect the dignity of every athlete.
6535130
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
"Do not use the names of women athletes to target, shame or exclude transgender women. Transgender women are women. Women with intersex variations are women. I welcome these women – and all women – onto my teams." www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
usatoday.com
I'm a WNBA player. Don't use athletes like me to exclude trans women.
IOC's policy invites unequal scrutiny. We cannot choose our genes or chromosomes, but we can choose whether we protect the dignity of every athlete.
0146
Reposted by interACT Advocates
Julie Kliegman @juliekliegman.com · 02/04/2026
I wrote for @slate.com about the new IOC sex testing policy and the intersex women directly targeted by it
slate.com
The Olympics Just Succumbed to a Ridiculous Gender Panic. Here’s Who It’s Really Going to Hurt.
The move is both unnecessary and offensive.
1716866
Reposted by interACT Advocates
Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 06/04/2026
@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Apr TIME does a long-form look at how new Olympic sex testing rules and their application intended to screen out trans women will also hurt intersex/DSD athletes.
time.com
How the Olympic Ban on Transgender Women Could Affect All Women Athletes
A new Olympic policy on genetic testing could reshape women’s sports and raise questions for intersex and cisgender athletes alike.
37622
Reposted by interACT Advocates
E.L. Redwine @elredwine.com · 08/04/2026
This is why they stopped having students test their own DNA in biology class. Too many were learning that they were intersex, in a classroom of their peers. We can all agree that’s not the time or place for someone to discover such a personal and private fact about themselves.
0178
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
If you haven't taken a genetic test, you don't know what your chromosomes are, either. They might be XX or XY. They might be XO, XXY, or a mix of XX/XY. Science is more complex than many people feel comfortable believing.
1319
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Many athletes may only learn they are intersex from genetic testing. “There are places around the world where this kind of outing is incredibly dangerous," says Erika Lorshbough. "I would like to think the U.S. is not one of those places. But right now it doesn't feel like that to a lot of people.”
time.com
How the Olympic Ban on Transgender Women Could Affect All Women Athletes
A new Olympic policy on genetic testing could reshape women’s sports and raise questions for intersex and cisgender athletes alike.
0146
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Kate, an intersex college athlete & interACT Youth, worries about what the Olympic policy means for the next generation. “It made me really sad for all the intersex kids who are dreaming of the Olympics." She once thought competing at that level would be “the coolest thing.” time.com/article/2026...
time.com
How the Olympic Ban on Transgender Women Could Affect All Women Athletes
A new Olympic policy on genetic testing could reshape women’s sports and raise questions for intersex and cisgender athletes alike.
02610
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
"There is no single marker for what makes someone a woman, or for what makes an athlete great. We celebrate the exceptional in men’s sports all the time. But when it comes to women’s sports, there are such narrow definitions of who is allowed to participate." time.com/article/2026...
time.com
Caster Semenya: The IOC's Ruling Is a Disgrace
The two-time Olympic champion speaks out against the International Olympic Committee’s decision to require gene testing.
01411
Reposted by interACT Advocates
PinkNews @pinknews.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Caster Semenya slams Olympic sex testing as 'a disrespect for women' ➡️ bit.ly/4m5dqtk 📷 Getty
Caster Semenya with the headline: Caster Semenya slams Olympic sex testing decision: “Disrespect for women”
1174
interACT Advocates @interact.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
“I wish people understood that, really, these regulations do target intersex people as well,” said Amelia, an intersex woman who competes in track and field. “I think a lot of times we do get sort of pushed to the side and seen as collateral damage or an unintended consequence of transphobia.”
22921