interACT

The International Olympic Committee abandoned universal chromosome screening in 1999 following sustained criticism from researchers, clinicians and athletes.

Now, more than 25 years later, broad genetic screening is returning to elite women's sport.

Maddie Moran, a representative of US organisation interACT Advocates for Inters*x Youth, told The First Serve that discovering an inters*x variation was already a deeply personal experience.

"People often work through shame, fear, and grappling with identity," Moran said.

"When a woman discovers she is inters*x on a global stage—at the same moment she may be banned from the competition she’s dedicated her life to—that is nothing short of traumatic."

The overlooked consequence of WTA's new s*x testing policy The WTA has introduced mandatory genetic testing for every player seeking to compete on the women's professional tour.The policy has largely been discussed through the lens of transgender participation in sport,But the athletes most likely to receive an unexpected result may not be transgender women...

There are no known trans women playing on the WTA Tour. But there are plenty of cis women who will now have to go through medical tests to prove their eligibility.

Starting this year, women seeking to compete in WTA tournaments must be screened for the SRY gene, which is normally found on the Y chromosome. The result is meant to determine if someone is a “biological male,” but it doesn’t show the full picture.

For example, women with Swyer syndrome or Complete Androgen Insensitivity syndrome would fail the SRY gene test because they have XY chromosomes, despite being born with a va**na and living their entire life as a woman. These are only two out of many known inters*x variations.

There are exceptions in the tennis league’s new policy for inters*x people. But those exceptions require further tests. They would still have to submit to more testing, provide medical records or possibly involve their physician — all in order to prove their identity.

Tennis is the first major women's sports league to require genetic testing This policy impacts all women; and most other women’s leagues aren’t taking the plunge.

Pride. Catharsis. Vulnerability. Care.
That's how one inters*x person described being in real community.

"I received a very warm welcome as a first-time attendee of the conference. I haven't disclosed or discussed my inters*x background much over the course of my life, so the conference was cathartic.

I felt safe to be vulnerable and express myself amongst the many caring people at the event.

Hearing the other attendees' stories and seeing inters*x pride for the first time in my life took me out of my isolation; these were some of the realest people I've ever met. I'm glad I attended! 💛💜💛" - Blair

We were proud to fund multiple interACT youth advocates to attend the InterConnect Support Group conference this year.

Never underestimate the power of community! Inters*x people can live empowered and joyous lives; they just need to see others like them doing the same.

Our staff and board retreat was packed with inters*x leaders, optimism, and strength.

This isn't an easy time to be a tiny organization representing 2% of the entire population. We don't underestimate the threat of political attacks against inters*x people. But we have big dreams, and serious, actionable plans for the journey to achieve them.

Throughout the week we power-mapped, strategized, and planned our best legal routes to find justice for inters*x youth.

We also reflected on how far we've come since our last retreat. We brought on board a new Youth Program Manager, expanded our youth advocacy program, and landed major mainstream media. We're working with networks of doctors and giving talks to the United Nations.

We believe in a future with justice for inters*x people, in our lifetimes.

Want to be on board for the journey? Check out www.interACTadvocates.org to become a recurring donor, or join our mailing list to take action.

Today’s ruling is heartbreaking for the trans and inters*x girls who want to play, learn, and thrive alongside their peers.

The ruling gives the Supreme Court’s stamp of approval to policies that intentionally discriminate against women and girls who do not conform to s*x stereotypes.

That should alarm anyone who claims to care about women’s rights.

All women and girls deserve the right to play sports without having their bodies subjected to scrutiny and debate—including trans and inters*x girls.

The discriminatory sports bans the Court has let stand today are hateful and disheartening, but the ruling does not strip away the broader rights and freedom of trans and inters*x people.

We will continue to defend inclusion and equality for our communities at work, in schools, and under democracy.

No matter what, interACT and our allies won’t stop cheering for trans and inters*x youth, both on and off the playing field. We will never stop fighting for the rights of inters*x young people and their freedom to thrive.

interACT responds to Supreme Court: We won't stop cheering for trans and inters*x youth Today's ruling is heartbreaking for the trans and inters*x girls who want to play, learn, and thrive alongside their peers.

What would you tell someone who hasn't found their inters*x pride?

When we represent inters*x people at Pride, loudly and publicly, we say that we are proud to be different. We are proud of existing beyond the binary. We are proud of the beauty that exists among inters*x lives.

Pride Month is a time we can celebrate the 2% of people with inters*x traits - we aren't rare. Not even close.

Visibility alone will not save us.

But each moment is a chance for an inters*x person who is struggling, living in doctor-imposed-shame or who has never found community, to see a path forward.

For a parent to realize that inters*x is not an emergency, and that an inters*x kid can grow up and find so much joy.

For the world to see that there are so many more ways for bodies to look like than they even knew.

What would you say to someone who hasn't yet found their inters*x pride?

📸 credit for slides 11 and 12 to Jax Kobey

US Representative Grijalva and Senators Hirono, Murray, Blunt Rochester, and Baldwin introduced a resolution to mark the 54th anniversary of Title IX.

They call for its crucial civil rights guarantees to be properly honored, especially for trans, inters*x, and nonbinary students.

As the Trump administration tries to twist Title IX against LGBTQI+ youth in schools, interACT is deeply grateful to our Congressional champions who ensure the impacts on inters*x communities are not left unaddressed.

View House Resolution 1385: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-resolution/1385/text/ih?overview=closed&format=xml

Say hello to interACT’s new board members—three incredible inters*x people and experienced change-makers. Welcome, Dr. Kristine C***s, Shana Knizhnik, and Jahni Leggett!

Dr. Kristine C***s (she/her) is an inters*x and transgender internal medicine physician working as a hospitalist for Providence Health Network. She is the creator of a s*x divergence database and presents nationally to universities and legislators. Dr. C***s is engaged to help move this work forward with a little advice from a friend: "Listen, Learn, and Love."

“I am humbled and honored to be a part of interACT and the amazing people working for our youth and community. I dearly love this community and I am ready and excited to get to work!

Shana Knizhnik (she/her) is a Senior Staff Attorney at the ACLU's LGBTQ & HIV Project, where she litigates cases to protect the rights of q***r, trans, and inters*x people across the United States. Shana looks forward to bringing her love of argument, advocacy, trans-inters*x solidarity, karaoke, and dachshunds to the interACT Board.

“I first became involved with this incredible organization as a founding member of interACT Youth back in 2011. I could not be more thrilled to be joining interACT's Board of Directors fifteen years later—a true full circle moment. Despite how far the movement for inters*x rights and visibility has come in that time, so much more work remains to be done, particularly in this moment of backlash against all forms of gender and s*x diversity.”

Jahni Leggett (she/her) is a Black inters*x and trans storyteller who joined interACT as a youth member in 2016. Jahni is a former HRC Youth Ambassador and GLAAD Campus Ambassador, featured in media including Teen Vogue and The Washington Post. She dreams of a time when people are able to embody who they know themselves to be, advocate for their needs, and receive the support necessary to thrive.

“Over the past ten years, interACT has played a pivotal role in my becoming — from connecting me with an incredible community to helping me share my story and join the fight against IGM. I am forever grateful.”

Send them a warm welcome, and read more about our board members on our website!