Jump Ahead
The people behind the letter ‘I’ in LGBTIQ
Many people understand the acronym LGBTI is a simpler way of saying Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex.
- But a simple acronym can often mistakenly assume that all the individuals it refers to are non-heterosexual, non-cisgender, or both non-heterosexual and non-cisgender.
So today, on Intersex Remembrance Day, we want to acknowledge the Intersex Community and their unique challenges, differences from many LGBT people and their human rights demands.
Who are Intersex People?
While the term Intersex refers to people born with physical sex characteristics that do not fit the current medical norms for female or male bodies 1 the word Intersex is more an umbrella term for a diverse range of different traits (with at least 40 different underlying traits) recognised by science (Intersex Human Rights Australia, 2020).
- The intersex community is a hugely diverse population.
- Many intersex people are heterosexual and some are not.
- Some identify with male or female assigned at birth and some do not.
- Some Intersex people are Intersex, while other people might have an intersex variation or prefer other terms.
There will also be differences in how people individually use or define particular terms and to describe themselves. Sometimes personal choices are intended to avoid discrimination, misconceptions and stigma.
Many intersex people are heterosexual; and some are not.
Regardless of why and how you identify, the people behind unusualrisks.com.au acknowledge the significant challenges and concerns around stigma and discrimination that many Intersex folk feel.
Respecting the Individuality of the 'I' in LGBTI
So this Intersex Remberance Day, lets all try to avoid simplistic answers to complex questions and assuming that intersex people just have the same circumstances and same issues as LGBT people.
Some do, but many more don't.
Financial Services for Intersex People
If you identify as Intersex and need to get your personal life insurances sorted, and you don't want to have to be the 'constant educator' (or deal with outdated and inappropriate binary questions like ‘are you male or female?’) — we have a solution to help you get your Life Insurances sorted, and keep your dignity and privacy intact.
You can learn more about Intersex People and access resourses at Intersex Human Rights Australia.
Source: 1 This definition is consistent with a widely accepted UN definition (OHCHR 2015; OHCHR and others 2016).
