To our intersex and allied communities,
Our hearts are heavy with the unending news of state-sanctioned violence. We have a responsibility to acknowledge and actively fight the racism and violence that most affects Black lives.
The way that our bodies look determines how we are treated in the world. We urge our supporters to think about how intersex issues, and all social issues, are inter-connected with discrimination against Black bodies.
We say the names of Black lives that police brutality and other anti-Black violence ended too soon: Tony McDade, Nina Pop, Breonna Taylor, David McAtee, James Scurlock, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Dreasjon Reed, and too many others.
During Pride month and beyond, we at interACT pledge to continue examining anti-Blackness and other racism within our own organization and intersex communities, as well as in the world at large. We continue listening to and amplifying Black intersex (and non-intersex) leadership, among it organizations like TGIJP, Intersex Justice Project, and Transgender Law Center. Black art, joy, and life matter year-round.
Starting Here: Anti-Racism Resources
We ask our followers, especially white people, to continue learning about anti-racism. There are many free, thorough resource lists. Some starting points include:
- commitments for white people to challenge police violence in their communities,
- steps toward showing real, non-performative support, and
- this video conversation showing Black parents speaking with their children about police violence. (Be aware: includes verbal descriptions of police violence, young children reacting.)
We encourage followers who can contribute monetarily to donate to Black activists, organizers, and Black-led organizations, as well as to bail funds to support individuals on the front lines defending their local communities.
Anti-Racism in Our Work Supporting Intersex Youth
Moving forward, we’re excited about several summer projects in development that we hope will carry these ideas forward in our work:
- Launching a new peer support Facebook group exclusively for Black, Indigenous, and other intersex youth advocates of color
- Advocacy project grants with priority to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and other under-served intersex youth
- Internal messaging guidelines and auditing to challenge “white-as-default” thinking in our law and policy, media, and youth work
We welcome suggestions and additions to the above list. We read and discuss every message and piece of feedback that comes our way.
We hope that everyone is able to find some time and space in the coming weeks—both for resting and processing violence with their loved ones, and for moving forward with action. Our team wishes you and your loved ones health and safety, now and always.
