The Original
Since 1969
I is for Intersex
An intersex person is someone born with biological anatomy that does not solely medically fit into the binary boxes of “male” and “female”. This includes organ, tissue, hormone & chromosomal differences. Between 1-2% of people are intersex, and many people don't even know!
The Intersex flag was created in July 2013 by Morgan Carpenter of Intersex Human Rights Australia (then known as Organisation Intersex International Australia) to create a flag "that is not derivative, but is yet firmly grounded in meaning". Yellow and purple were chosen as colors as they were viewed as free from gender associations and were historically used to represent intersex people. The circle is described as "unbroken and unornamented, symbolizing wholeness and completeness, and our potentialities.”
Intersex people are not broken! In spite of this, many Intersex people have been subjected to needless medical intervention at an early age in the form of extensive, involuntary cosmetic surgeries. These surgeries are now considered human rights abuses by The United Nations, The World Health Organization, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and others. Unfortunately, many doctors & hospitals in the United States recommend & perform these unnecessary & permanent surgeries on non-consenting children.
To learn more about the fight for Intersex Rights or to get resources for yourself or an Intersex person that you love, visit:
InterAct: Advocates for Intersex Youth
IC4E: Intersex Campaign for Equality