Bill > HRes815

This Resolution expresses support for recognizing October 26, 2023, as "Intersex Awareness Day" and champions its objectives. Intersex refers to individuals born with variations in their sex characteristics, such as anatomy, chromosomes, or hormones, which occur in about 1.7% of the population. The day commemorates the first public demonstration by intersex people in the U.S. in 1996 and serves as a time for celebration and advocacy. The Resolution highlights concerns about stigmatization, discrimination, and the practice of performing irreversible surgeries on intersex infants and children without their informed consent, which can lead to severe physical and psychological harm. It references support from former Surgeons General, the Department of State, and professional organizations like the American Academy of Family Physicians and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, all of whom advocate for delaying such surgeries until an individual can provide informed consent, except in rare, life-threatening emergencies. The Resolution also aligns with U.S. government policies aimed at advancing the human rights of LGBTQI+ individuals, including intersex people, and combating discrimination based on sex characteristics. Ultimately, it encourages various entities, including the Federal Government, states, healthcare providers, and schools, to observe Intersex Awareness Day with programs that increase public knowledge, empower the intersex community, and prioritize the health and human rights of intersex people.