International Organizations
Would you like help and support from an organization closer to you…?
Asia
Intersex Asia is an autonomous regional network of intersex-led organizations and individuals from Asian countries. They work to support, educate and advocate for the rights & lives of intersex individuals and raise awareness on human rights violations & discrimination faced by intersex communities.
Intersex Asia was established when 12 intersex people representing communities from Hong Kong (China), India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam came together to attend the first Asian Intersex Forum which took place in February 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Australia
Intersex Peer Support Australia began in 1985. Becaming a peer-led group in 1996, peer support gatherings followed soon after in Brisbane and Sydney. They’ve held a national support conference almost every year for the last 23 years.
They have expanded from humble beginnings to provide peer support between people with any intersex variation throughout Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand. Our volunteers, who are our heart and soul, have successfully advocated for changes to legislative and health systems in Australia, and ensured our voices are a part of international conversations about intersex health and human rights.
Canada
It might only be an email sign-up page, but exciting things are coming…!
Denmark
Intersex Denmark works for the dissemination of knowledge about the existence of people born with variations in gender characteristics and to ensure the rights of these people, both nationally and internationally.
They support all persons born with variations in gender characteristics, independent of variation, gender identity and sexual preference. They strive to ensure neutral and easily accessible knowledge, at all levels and for all people of all ages, including a focus on relatives.
European Union
dsdfamilies was set up as an on-line resource by two parents -Ellie and Laurie- in 2011. The objective was to provide a reliable and practical source of advice from both peers and doctors, and to have the chance to exchange ideas which were open-minded and, at heart, optimistic.
The resource was very quickly adopted internationally by healthcare experts and families. Over the years they counselled many families, hosted family days, contributed to numerous public engagement/media articles, developed resources and spoke at international medical conferences.
European Union
OII Europe (Organisation Intersex International Europe) was founded on Human Rights Day, December 10th, during the Second Intersex Forum at Stockholm in 2012.
Working from the text of the Malta Declaration, formulated at the 3rd International Intersex Forum 2013, OII Europe strives for full implementation of human rights, bodily integrity & self-determination for intersex people. Their mission is to legally prohibit non-consensual medical & psychological treatment; promote self-awareness, visibility and recognition of intersex people; gain full protection against discrimination; and educate society on intersex issues from a human rights perspective.
Finland
Intersukupuolisuus.fi is a website maintained by Finnish intersex activists on a voluntary basis.
The site was established in 2015, because at that time no information on intersex was available in Finnish. The texts, descriptions and human stories made by the volunteer team at that time can still be read on this site. This site still occasionally collects information on peer groups and opportunities organized by different actors.
France
Collectif Intersexes et Allié.es, OII France, the only association by and for intersex people in France.
They provide news related to intersex topics as well as organize campaigns to increase French awareness of intersex people and their treatment, both by the medical profession and society as a whole.
Germany and German Speaking Territories
Intersexuelle Menschen eV was founded in 2004 by 14 members of the self-help group ‘XY Women Association’. They represent the common goals and demands of intersex people of all ages in German-speaking countries as well as the interests of all intersex people.
Members of Intersexuelle Menschen eV have experienced a taboo way of dealing with their special features, and this makes it difficult to develop a healthy self-image. That is why Intersexuelle Menschen eV strives to inform the public about the topic of intersexuality and to create increasing acceptance in the public consciousness. Intersexuelle Menschen eV organizes self-help for groups xy-women and SHG Intersexual People and associated parent groups.
Iceland
Intersex Iceland was founded on June 27, 2014.
Anyone who has a diagnosis that can be classified as intersex, or thinks it is likely that their body has an intersex structure or variability in some way, is welcome to contact us.
India
Srishti madurai is more of an informational blog rather than full fledged support group. But for those living in India, it’s a great source of intersex news and current insights.
Italy
AISIA, the Italian Association of Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 and composed exclusively of volunteers: Parents and people affected by a diagnosis of AIS or by other Sex Development Differences (DSDs), also known as intersex traits.
Their primary objective is to encourage the sharing of support & information among the people directly concerned. Secondly, AISIA aims to promote awareness of the medical environment and society as a whole with respect to the real needs of people with AIS and other DSDs, such as health, dignity and autonomy.
Japan
AIS-DSD Support Group, Japan: Their mission is to have all the information for the individual which they can use and share with their family. Through mutual support they wish to alleviate or help resolve physical, psychological, social problems, difficulties, and worries. They create an environment where AIS adults, adolescents, and parents with AIS children can contact each other.
Their goal is to help doctors, families and society deepen their knowledge of AIS and become more open to differences of sex development, encourage the treatment of AIS, especially for young people, including psychological support for themselves and their families.
Mexico
Brújula Intersexual is an organization responsible for disseminating and informing people about everything related to intersex, in Spanish, for Mexico and surrounding countries.
Founded in October 2013, many intersex people and allies collaborate with Brújula Intersexual: Participating in events, Sharing their testimonies, texts or articles on our website, and Generating a community of peers to offer emotional support for intersex people and their families.
Netherlands
DSDNederland provies: Peer support via their online forum, Information through their website, National gatherings twice a year, Weekend getaways for youth members & adults, and Special activities. In addition, they also organize activities that are focused on advocacy.
Their members regularly consult with doctors and other practitioners about new developments in the treatment of intersex variations. It also discusses care suggestions expressed by members during national meetings.
New Zealand
In 1997, the Intersex Society of NZ (ITANZ) was launched by the Minister of Health, Hon. Annette King, at a function in the Council Chamber of Victoria University. It has since grown into a peer led organization and provides information and support for those living in New Zealand.
New Zealand
VSC, a Practical Guide for Parents in Aotearoa, is a collaboration between people with lived experience, health professionals and researchers who are wanting to provide support to parents and whanau who have a child with a Variations in Sex Characteristics. It is an information hub providing a balanced perspective for all Kiwis. We want to support healthy and happy lives by providing information from those with lived experience, health care providers and researchers that supports that supports human rights framework..
Norway
MRKHNorge was started by Lise Gimre in 2011. They collaborate with MRKH organizations and MRKH specialists, researchers and gynecologists in other countries in order to spread & share knowledge and increase research in this field. Androgyn Insensitivity Syndrome is also covered.
They have their own closed Facebook group, both internationally and one only for girls in Scandinavia.
Poland
Fundacja Interakcja was established to co-create a world in which intersex people, people with different gender characteristics, feel fully accepted & safe where rights are respected, have access to information & support, and adequate medical care.
Their goals are improving the living conditions of intersex people in Poland by carrying out support activities for them and their relatives; fostering a discussion on the problems and challenges facing intersex people and increasing their positive social representation; and expanding the knowledge of intersexuality within expert circles, such as medical, journalistic, psychological, legal, etc.
Russia
The Association of Russian Speaking Intersex People was created, by and for people with variations in gender formation, to seek a common future in which the rights of every person are respected. These include the right to physical integrity, bodily autonomy, access to information, legal recognition and freedom from discrimination.
With an understanding that the problems and needs of intersex people is an issue that must be resolved by the state, they prioritize changes that can be effectively implemented in the current political and legal environment. Further, they believe that promoting & protecting the rights of intersex people, as well as access to information, counseling, and education on intersex issues, will improve the well-being of intersex people in the region.
Russia
Intersex Russia was founded in March 2017 as an initiative of young intersex people and activists from Russia. They are engaged in the dissemination of reliable information on intersex topics, the fight for the rights of intersex people, and support for the intersex community in Russia.
Their mission is to provide a correct and positive representation of the intersex community in Russia, to raise public awareness of the existence of intersex people and the human rights violations that our community faces, and to advocate the depathologization and demedicalization of intersex variation through all our actions.
Spain & Portugal
GrApSIA (AISSG Spain) began to function as a support group in 2000. GrApSIA is made up of people with insensitivity to androgens as well as related conditions. Among their objectives is the disclosure of all relevant information related to AIS and other intersex conditions, with affected individuals, their families and medical professionals.
They organize annual meetings that serve as a meeting point for the groups involved (people with insensitivity to androgens as well as related conditions, family members, researchers, doctors …) in order to promote a better understanding of the characteristics of these conditions and their needs.
Sweden
INIS started as a network in the Summer of 2006. They work to spread open-minded and medically correct knowledge and life experience about ‘Differences of Sex Development’ (DSD) to increase awareness and understanding of what it means to grow up with DSD. Their goals are to act as a support association, counteracting feelings of shame and guilt for everyone with DSD.
INIS works to ensure that parents of children with DSD receive the support they need to make the right decision for their child together with healthcare, and in turn to give the child the support they need during their upbringing.
Switzerland
The feeling of being alone, and not being allowed to talk to anyone about it, defines the lives of many intersex people. It is liberating when you can talk about your own suffering with people who have experienced similar things. In the self-help group, their members support each other in ‘winning back’ the truth that has been withheld.
Intersex.ch’s goal is to get intersex people, and relatives in Switzerland and the surrounding area, out of their isolation and improve their quality of life. Intersex is not a disease and certainly not something to be ashamed of, but a physical variation that in most cases does not require surgical or other medical intervention. They clarify, remove taboos and support those affected, as well as their relatives, in a protected and confidential setting.
Taiwan
Oii-Chinese (International intersex organizations – Chinese) was founded in 2008 by intersex friends to be a platform of information for the Chinese world and to communicate with international intersex partners.
Their mission is to realize the human rights of intersex infants, children and adults, especially the rights of personal integrity and self-determination. Their vision is to create a world where intersex (a.k.a. yin and yang people) are free from prejudice, fear, ignorance, stigma, and gender binary social conventions, and can freely love and be loved.
Turkey
Intersexual Shalala is a blog of information and issues concerning the intersex community in Turkey. Though not a support group, the blog provides a Turkish language portal for native speakers and residents.
Ukraine
Egalite Intersex Ukraine is a non-profit public organization created in 2014 by a group of intersex enthusiasts and their allies. They conduct educational work among the general public by organizing thematic meetings, disseminating interviews, and publishing brochures & books. Further, they serve as a source of information and support for intersex people, as well.
In everyday life, intersex people are not legally protected, and therefore are discriminated against, nor receive qualified medical care. Dissemination of knowledge through extensive educational activities will give our fellow citizens the opportunity to learn that intersex people exist and are among all nations and will always be as long as the human race exists.
United Kingdom
The Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome Support Group (AISSG) is a UK-based organization which started in 1988.
They provide information and support to young people, adults and families affected by XY-female conditions such as complete and partial Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome or AIS. We also support those affected by Swyer’s Syndrome (XY Gonadal Dysgenesis), 5-alpha Reductase Deficiency, Leydig Cell Hypoplasia, Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) Syndrome, Mullerian Dysgenesis, Mullerian Duct Aplasia, Vaginal Atresia, and other related conditions.
The group has played a dual role in providing support and comfort to affected adults/families all over the world, as well as fighting for and contributing to a better understanding of the various conditions, and of how they should be ‘treated’ by the medical community.
United States
Founded in 2012, The Interface Project communicates the lived experiences of intersex people by recording the voices, transcribing the words, and publishing the stories of people born with a variation of sex anatomy.
United States
interACT was founded in 2006 with a focused mission of ending harmful medical interventions on intersex children. We began our operations with a national advisory board, including doctors, lawyers, mental health experts, and leaders of many different intersex organizations to establish our goals.