The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice has launched the report We Are Real: The Growing Movement Advancing the Human Rights of Intersex People.
Available in English, Spanish, Russian, and forthcoming in Chinese, We Are Real seeks to share and promote relevant knowledge and understanding of intersex issues and activism to people across the world––particularly funders and other actors committed to human rights. The report includes terminology, common questions, human rights and legal issues, and demands of the intersex movement. It also highlights strategies for change and presents recommendations to funders. “This report helps more accurately understand the basic principles, concepts, strategies, teamwork, and specifics of intersex existence and activism and how it often differs from other social and political movements. We are Real contains a wealth of material that can be shared with stakeholders on who intersex people are, what challenges they face, and how we can support them in their difficult struggle to defend the human rights of intersex people worldwide,” states Aleksandr Berezkin, founder of Intersex Fund grantee partner ARSI.
Little known, often misunderstood, and frequently conflated with questions of sexual orientation and gender identity, the concerns and rights of intersex people are gaining new ground thanks to the work of intersex-led organizations around the globe—most of whom operate with little to no funding. “As a feminist, social justice, and LGBTQI funder, Astraea is thrilled to release this report, thus furthering our core commitment to justice and liberation for all people. We call upon all donors to consider how you can support intersex human rights within your mandate. Whether your funding addresses LGBT rights or disability rights, civil rights or women’s rights, health rights or children’s rights, intersex issues are relevant to your work. Join us in reading, learning and expanding support for this incredible human rights movement,” notes J. Bob Alotta, Astraea’s Executive Director.
The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice is the only philanthropic organization working exclusively to advance LGBTQI human rights and justice around the world. In response to the significant gap in funding for intersex issues and with the generous support of donors including the Arcus Foundation and Kobi Conaway & Andrew Owen, in 2015 Astraea launched the Intersex Fund to resource intersex-led activism, raise visibility about intersex human rights, and drive resources to the intersex movement. To learn more, visit the Intersex Fund microsite.
Read the report online and join the conversation on social media with the hashtag #WeAreReal.