InterAction for Health and Human Rights

01/06/2026

Today is Global Day of Parents! We think parents are worth celebrating.

Parents make choices for their children with love in their hearts. With the support of InterLink, parents raising children with innate variations of s*x characteristics can also have information and support at hand as well.

The InterLink website has a Resource Hub with many resources for Parents.

Did you know that InterLink also runs online psychosocial support group sessions for parents of inters*x children too?

So, today and every day, we celebrate you and the role you play in your children's lives.

Visit https://ilink.net.au/ to gain support... and Happy Global Day of Parents!

28/05/2026

A question on innate variations of s*x characteristics (inters*x/differences of s*x development) will not appear in the national census. This is ultimately a loss attributable to public, media and policymaker misconceptions, but inclusion of a best practice question is a lost opportunity to do better.

Our executive director A/Prof Morgan Carpenter is quoted in this article by Patrick Lenton

The 2026 Australian Census will, for the first time, include questions designed to capture data on s*xual orientation and gender identity.

28/05/2026

The IOC admits there's no conclusive evidence of performance advantage by women with inters*x variations, yet their framework remains. This isn't about science—it's about finding ways to exclude certain women from competing. Let's call it what it is: discrimination. Read more about how female athletes with innate variations of s*x characteristics are impacted: https://interaction.org.au/resource/position-statement-ioc-2026-rules/

27/05/2026

Reconciliation Week commences today and celebrates Australian Indigenous culture and promotes cultural exchange and understanding.

The dates for National Reconciliation Week remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

"Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures." - National Reconciliation Week Organisers.

This year's theme is "All In" which challenges us all to move beyond passive support and take concrete actions that create meaningful change in reconciliation efforts.

InterAction for Health and Human Rights maintains close connections with our friends at Gayawur Rainbow and 2 Spirits in Queensland. The Gayawur Rainbow model of care is dedicated to fostering belonging, visibility, and connection, by offering a range of services designed to support the well-being of the diverse LGBTIQA+SB community.

Gayawur Rainbow are commited to cultural security, ensuring that all their practices, spaces, and services are inclusive, respectful, and safe for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. By embedding cultural security into everything they do, they aim to uphold the dignity, identity, and rights of all individuals, creating an environment where LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities can feel valued, supported, and empowered.

Learn more about their incredible work at https://www.qc.org.au/gayawur

2Spirits is committed to developing pathways to walk and work together in partnership with agencies to grow health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy people across Queensland. A part of their vision is to create "A future where all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy people are valued and feel included in broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities."

Learn more about 2 Spirits at https://www.2spirits.org.au/

26/05/2026

Imagine: You were female on the pre-natal scans and registered female at birth. You have a Y chromosome but your body doesn't respond to androgens in a typical way. You underwent feminising surgeries, on doctors' advice before you could consent. You didn't have a natural puberty because you were put on female hormones.
You didn't have any choice in how you've been treated, but you made it work for yourself. You feel female. You are female.
And now Alison Penfold's Bill says that you're a biological male who doesn't belong in female spaces.
Inters*x people need justice, not hate and ignorance
Reject bills that define biological s*x

22/05/2026

S*x is complex. Human development is diverse. Yet the IOC framework treats s*x as a simple checkbox. This oversimplification ignores the reality of how s*x characteristics actually develop in humans. Time for evidence-based policies!
Read more about how female athletes with innate variations of s*x characteristics are impacted: https://interaction.org.au/resource/position-statement-ioc-2026-rules/

21/05/2026

Are you living in Western Australia?

Rainbow Futures WA has prepared a joint statement for the WA Government about hate speech. Visit their site to lend your voice or to easily write to your local member.

Your voice counts and the image here is directly from the Rainbow Futures WA website- Legislative change is a PRIORITY.

Visit Rainbow Futures WA to learn more and to add your voice to calls for change: https://rainbowfutureswa.com/safety/

If you are living in WA and not yet an IPSA member, why not join today at https://app.joinit.com/o/inters*x-peer-support-australia/ Your WA state reps Michelle and Tash are looking forward to welcoming you!

17/05/2026

On 17 May 1990, the World Health Organisation removed homos*xuality from its list of mental illnesses. This historic decision was then marked as IDAHOBIT Day, reminding us of progress made and the work still ahead. Let's honour this legacy by continuing to push for acceptance and understanding for all LGBTQIA+ people.

This year's global theme is a reminder that truly democratic societies must be grounded in justice and freedom for everyone… including inters*x people! The ACT and Victoria now have legislative reform to protect inters*x babies and children from unnecessary surgeries that preempt their right to consent, but we have more states where reform is urgently needed. Let's hope that in future years we will look back and be amazed that it took so long but be grateful that it happened- just as we do with the WHO decision in 1990. Medical autonomy and bodily integrity are fundamental human rights that should be protected from birth.

Today and every day, InterAction for Health and Human Rights stands for dignity, respect, and the right for everyone to be their authentic selves. On this IDAHOBIT day, will you stand with us?

+ *xrightsarehumanrights

15/05/2026

Today on International Day of Families, we reflect on how inequalities shape family life and impact children's futures. This year's theme reminds us that truly democratic societies must be grounded in justice and freedom for everyone.

At InterLink, we see firsthand how families with children who have innate variations of s*x characteristics often face unique challenges that compound existing inequalities. These families navigate complex medical systems, social stigma, and lack of specialised support – all while working to ensure their children's wellbeing and dignity. In most states in Australia, the wellbeing of a child with an innate variation of s*x characteristics is threatened by the prevalence of non-consensual and unnecessary surgeries that preempt their right to consent and violate bodily autonomy.

Our psychosocial program works to address these inequalities by:

Providing specialised counselling, group programs and support for families navigating medical decisions

Creating safe spaces for children to develop healthy self-esteem and identity

Connecting families with peer support networks who understand their unique journey

Advocating for more inclusive healthcare practices that respect bodily autonomy

Every child deserves to grow up in an environment that affirms their identity and supports their development.

Visit https://ilink.net.au/resource-hub/ to learn about inters*x variations or access psychosocial support services.

At Inters*x Peer Support Australia, we welcome families to our community and provide opportunities for inters*x children and young people, plus their siblings, parents, carers and guardians to meet and socialise. When we support families, we're not just helping individual families – we're building more equitable communities for everyone.

This International Day of Families, we acknowledge the families who have accessed our supports and services and encourage others to reach out.

Visit https://isupport.org.au to reach out for community and peer support.

14/05/2026

Mandatory s*x testing for female athletes?
The IOC framework is not just problematic…
it's likely illegal under Australian law.
This approach treats all women as potential 'outsiders' in their own sporting category. What message does this send about women's sport?

Read more about how female athletes with innate variations of s*x characteristics are impacted: https://interaction.org.au/resource/position-statement-ioc-2026-rules/

*xTesting