This resolution expresses support for recognizing October 26, 2025, as Intersex Awareness Day and advocates for the bodily autonomy and human rights of intersex individuals, particularly by opposing nonconsensual early medical interventions.
Becca Balint
Representative
VT
This resolution expresses the House's support for recognizing October 26th as Intersex Awareness Day and affirms the goals of the observance. It highlights the reality of natural variations in sex characteristics and strongly condemns nonconsensual, irreversible medical procedures performed on intersex infants and children. The bill encourages federal, state, and local entities to promote awareness, ensure culturally sensitive healthcare, and prioritize the bodily autonomy and human rights of intersex individuals.
New Resolution Condemns Nonconsensual Surgery on Intersex Children, Pushes for Bodily Autonomy
This Congressional resolution is a formal statement to recognize October 26, 2025, as Intersex Awareness Day. The core of the resolution isn't about creating a new law, but about solidifying a position: that intersex people deserve respect, and specifically, that children with intersex variations should not be subjected to irreversible genital surgeries before they are old enough to consent.
The Real-World Difference Between Intersex and Transgender
First, let’s clear up the definition, which the resolution handles directly. Being intersex means having natural variations in physical sex characteristics—like chromosomes, hormones, or anatomy—that don’t fit typical male or female stereotypes. The resolution notes this affects about 1.7 percent of the population. Crucially, it clarifies that intersex variations are distinct from being transgender, though both communities share a need for bodily autonomy. For the average person, this means recognizing that biological sex isn't a simple binary, and the policy needs to catch up to that reality.
Putting the Brakes on Nonconsensual Procedures
The most impactful part of this resolution is its strong stance against nonconsensual medical procedures. It highlights that babies and young children with intersex variations are often given irreversible genital surgeries, sometimes before age two, simply to make their bodies conform to social expectations. The resolution points out that these procedures are rarely medically necessary and can cause severe, lasting harm, including loss of function. Think of it this way: if a procedure isn't saving a child's life or preventing imminent functional failure, the resolution argues that medical professionals should wait until the patient is old enough to make their own decision. This aligns with recommendations from groups like the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).
What This Means for Healthcare and Schools
Since this is a resolution, it’s about encouragement and policy direction, not mandates. It pushes the Federal Government, states, and local organizations to observe Intersex Awareness Day with appropriate programs. For healthcare providers, it’s a clear signal to offer care that is “culturally sensitive and clinically sound,” prioritizing bodily autonomy. If you’re a parent, this means better support and resources in schools and potentially safer, more ethical medical consultations for your child if they have an intersex variation. It encourages schools to provide education and connect families to helpful resources, ensuring that intersex students are supported in their diversity.