18/06/2026
Rest in peace, Emi Koyama. Emi was an original thinker, a former intern of the first North American inters*x advocacy organisation, and a contributor to the shape and direction of our movement. We still refer to her writings, and her insights of 20 years ago remain on point. With Betsy Driver, Emi established Inters*x Awareness Day as a regular event.
Rest in power, Emi Koyama.
Emi was an inters*x and transgender activist who worked for the Inters*x Society of North America, co-founded Inters*x Awareness Day, and is known for her work in the third-wave feminist and transfeminist movements.
Our founder, Anne Tamar-Mattis, reflected on Emi's legacy.
"Emi Koyama had an enormous impact on the inters*x movement from its early days. She was a prolific writer and teacher, and her work deeply influenced my understanding of intersectional feminism and critical disability theory, framing my understanding in the context of inters*x rights.
She was a founding member of interACT's Advisory Board (we were then known as the Institute for Inters*x Children and the Law), and was at the roundtable where we crafted our initial Blueprint for Action, a document that shaped our strategy for many years.
She was also intent on accountability for the doctors who promoted harmful interventions on inters*x children -- she named names, attended their talks, asked hard questions, and publicized what she learned. While I am not at liberty to share the details, her extensive archives were crucial at an important moment of accountability for one such surgeon.
I am grateful to have known her and learned from her. Rest in power, Emi."
You can read more about Emi Koyama's legacy and published works on inters*x liberation, including theory, curriculum, and lectures, as archived by Bo Laurent, the founder of the Inters*x Society of North America. The link is included below.
We are forever grateful for her powerful contributions to the inters*x movement and beyond.
