Justin Tsang is this past year’s recipient of the Kimberly Zieselman Award, recognizing his exemplary work in the intersex community.
Justin Tsang, Intersex and Disability Justice Advocate
Justin Tsang (he/they) is an advocate for intersex rights and a dedicated community member who has made significant contributions to the intersex movement. For years, Justin has consistently used their voice to raise awareness, foster inclusion, and fight for the rights of intersex individuals. His commitment to improving the lives of intersex people can be seen through their leadership roles, advocacy efforts, and participation in important conversations about sex, gender, and disability justice.
Justin Tsang’s Leadership Journey
Justin’s leadership journey began in 2021, when they took on the role of Director of AADI (Asian Americans with Disabilities Initiative). There, he developed the first-ever Community Resource Guide for Asian Americans with Disabilities, bringing visibility to intersectional issues. Around this time Justin came across Tiffany Yu’s podcast, which featured intersex activist Alicia Roth Wiegel for Pride Month. This influenced Justin’s deeper involvement with the intersex community.
Justin had begun attending Club Intersex meetings. Just two months later, they were invited to participate in the prestigious Intersex Awareness Day White House Roundtable. Justin also delivered a powerful coming-out post on Intersesx Awareness Day in 2021 where he shared his personal story with the world. Justin’s growing influence in the intersex community soon led to opportunities to facilitate and moderate important panels. He introduced guest speaker Hiker Chiu from Intersex Asia in 2022. They later moderated the panel “From Invisible to Inclusion” which brought together incredible activists such as Niki Khanna, Nick Vary, and Tatenda Ngwaru.
As his advocacy efforts evolved, Justin was involved in numerous events, including the ILGA World Conference and the New York Advocacy Panel, the HHS/CDC Intersex Listening session, and a panel with the Intersex Justice Project, all in 2022. His contributions to these events showcased his ability to bring attention to issues facing the intersex community.
Paving the Way for the Future of Intersex Advocacy
Justin became a member of the InterConnect Board of Directors in January 2023, further positioning himself as an influential leader. Justin was part of a Club Intersex education event at UCLA, where they joined fellow activists Val Hill, River Gallo, and Jessica Buch to engage students Justin later spoke on a panel at the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine, educating medical students on the challenges of obtaining care for intersex adults.
That year, Justin became the first person from the US to speak on Blume Kind’s YouTube podcast, “Interesting & SeXY,” where they discussed issues related to intersex experiences and sexual health. They participated in a panel for the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and contributed to a committee that published a report on “Sex and Gender Identification and Implications for Disability Evaluation” for Social Security Leadership.
In mid-2024 Justin co-authored the Variations in Sex Traits (VST) Youth Advocacy Tool, funded by the NIH grant for Equitable Measurement of Care Disparities and Needs in Intersex Youth/Youth with Variations in Sex Development. This tool influences how healthcare providers and institutions approach care for intersex individuals, especially youth.
Looking Ahead: The Kimberly Zieselman Award and Justin Tsang’s Impact
Justin’s achievements reflect the values of the Kimberly Zieselman Award and highlight their deep commitment to intersex advocacy and leadership. As the recipient of this award, Justin will serve a one-year term on the interACT Board of Directors and will co-chair the up-and-coming Youth Advisory Council, where their insight and expertise will continue to shape the future of interACT’s work.
With their vision, leadership, and unwavering passion for intersex rights, Justin Tsang makes a profound impact on the intersex community. His advocacy work, both in the U.S. and globally, inspires countless young intersex individuals to find their voices and stand up for their rights.
Join Us in Celebrating Justin Tsang
Please join us in congratulating Justin as we celebrate his achievements. Justin’s journey is an incredible example of what can happen when young people are empowered to lead. We can’t wait to see the amazing things he will accomplish in the future.
At interACT, we are proud to support and uplift young intersex leaders like Justin, whose work helps ensure a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
