interACT

interACT empowers intersex youth and advances the rights of all people with innate variations in their physical sex characteristics through advocacy, public engagement, and community connection. The fight for intersex justice–bodily autonomy, equality under the law, power in community, and the ability to live authentically and with joy–is the heart of interACT’s work. 

As the only intersex legal advocacy organization in the United States, interACT firmly believes that the perspectives and voices of intersex youth are among the most effective advocacy tools the intersex rights movement has. Our core mission reflects the top concern of our youth and the broader intersex community: to end harmful, medically unnecessary, and non-consensual surgical and medical interventions on intersex children.

About 1.7% of the population is born with an intersex trait, meaning one or more of their sex characteristics (chromosomes, gonads, internal reproductive organs, hormone function, and/or genitals) do not match what is considered "typical" for male or female bodies. These children are almost always healthy, but the non-consensual "normalizing" surgeries cause lifelong harm, including the irreversible removal of genital and reproductive tissue, which may lead to chronic pain, urinary incontinence, loss of sexual sensation, and sterilization. There is no other context in the United States in which someone can be legally sterilized without consent. The associated trauma can result in severe mental health consequences, including depression, PTSD, and increased risk of suicide. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the United Nations, and numerous human rights organizations have condemned these practices, yet they continue.

Many intersex youth grow up without ever meeting another intersex person, leading to profound feelings of isolation, stigma, and invisibility. The lack of intersex representation in schools, healthcare, and media further compounds this disconnection, making it extremely difficult to find affirming care or community. Sadly, this lack of awareness often extends even into broader LGBTQIA+ spaces, leaving intersex youth feeling unseen and unaccepted within communities where they should find belonging.

interACT exists to change this. We work to ensure intersex youth have equal access under the law and safe, affirming spaces, where their bodies and identities are celebrated and affirmed as they are. Our youth participants represent a broad spectrum of genders, sexual orientations, and racial and ethnic identities. Many belong to other historically marginalized communities, including people with disabilities, immigrants, and low-income youth. By centering their lived experiences and supporting their leadership, we are building a future where intersex youth are not only protected but empowered to thrive and lead a movement toward a world where bodily autonomy and self-determination are the norm. 

Our Law & Policy program exists to advocate for the human rights and bodily autonomy of intersex individuals in policies at the local, state, national, and international levels, in the courts, and within medical associations and communities. interACT Youth supports intersex young people by developing youth cohort members in their advocacy projects, and helping to maintain and strengthen peer connections and overall wellness through our advocacy program, peer support group, and annual Healing and Wellness Retreat. Through media and public engagement, we inform broader audiences about issues faced by the intersex community and seek to shift the narrative and grow understanding and support in non-intersex communities.

Our team excels in advocacy, legal expertise, and medical provider and public education. We’ve successfully collaborated with the American Academy of Family Physicians; American Medical Association’s Board of Trustees and LGBTQ+ Section; Congressional Equality Council; White House Domestic Policy Council; National Women’s Law Center; Gender Justice; National Center for Lesbian Rights; Human Rights Campaign; and Human Rights Watch to drive change at both systemic and personal levels. Our partnerships amplify our capacity to challenge harmful medical practices, strengthen youth engagement, and promote intersex visibility.

This collective strength has allowed interACT to remain adaptable and impactful, even amid shifting social and political landscapes. With a solid foundation of movement knowledge and deep community trust, interACT is poised to continue standing tall in the face of adversity, ensuring intersex voices continue to lead the movement for justice, dignity, and healing.