interACT

06/26/2026

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

06/25/2026

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

06/23/2026

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!

06/21/2026

and that's our why 💜💛

*x *xpride

06/18/2026

interACT joined the National Black Justice Collective - NBJC in Washington, DC, for Equity Week 2026!

We met with lawmakers and committee staff from the Congressional Equality Caucus and Senator John Hickenlooper to discuss policy priorities related to reparative justice, health equity for inters*x people, and how censorship legislation impacts our communities.

Milan, a member of interACT's DMV Youth Advocacy Cohort, joined us in DC and shared, “Equity Week with NBJC was amazing! I loved getting to meet Bria and Apollo IRL, and it felt so affirming to participate in both advocacy and joy with other Black LGBTQIA+ folk on the Hill and at the Equity Ball.”

06/16/2026

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.

06/16/2026

Like any other worker, an inters*x employee’s talents and contributions should be what counts—not others’ biased beliefs about who ‘counts’ as male or female.

"These forms of s*x discrimination will have consequences," says Sylvan Fraser Anthony, Legal & Policy Director at interACT.

In a new EEOC filing, former St. Johns County School District teacher Shepard Scalf charges the district with violating the Civil Rights Act’s...

06/11/2026

Aces Fox, a former competitive track and field sprinter from ages 11-16, was raised as a girl and won two junior Olympics gold medals competing against both boys and girls. But at 19, Fox found out they were inters*x – in this case, born with two different sets of DNA and developed male and female internal s*x organs.

Although Fox was never genetically tested while competing in sports as a minor, when they were 19 a clinician tested Fox without their knowledge and disclosed the findings. The IOC plans to require testing for adults and minors, meaning athletes could find out life-altering results at a young age.

The youngest girl to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics was 11 years old. The youngest girl Winter Olympian this year was 15. Under the new rules, both girls will be tested before their next Olympic opportunity.

New Olympic gene testing rules are drawing sharp criticism from athletes who warn the policy could cause harm and exclusion in women's sports.

06/10/2026

interACT is here to support inters*x youth as they grow into confident advocates and community leaders. This year, we're building local!

Meet our advocates from the DMV area. They're planting meaningful roots for inters*x rights in their own backyards—at community events, DC Pride, and even the Capitol. Drop them a welcome!

💜 I’m Milan! (she/her) I’m a q***r inters*x woman with classical CAH and I’m originally from Los Angeles, but I’ve been happy to call Washington, DC home for almost 10 years. I’m a youth development professional, so I love talking with kids to help them understand themselves and fight all the stupid oppressive systems that exist in the world. I am also a lover of music and concerts, most especially all things Beyoncé!

💛 Nessa Calvin (he/she/they/any) is a genderq***r illustrator and videographer living with hyperandrogenic PCOS. They hail from Maryland, and are passionate about informed medical consent and equal access to healthcare, especially in low income and gender-diverse populations.

💜 Myrtle Faust (they/them) is a 25 year old disabled trans-nonbinary & inters*x advocate & intersectional minority activist in the DMV. Their previous work as a GSA president & moderating for r/Trans & r/lgbt led to their current projects of organizing much of their local trans community & international organization of advocates in the adult industry.

💛 My name is Keni (they/them), and I am an inters*x person with Non-Classical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (NCAH). I am currently attending university where I am pursuing a degree in Communication and Public Relations. In my free time I enjoy attending local music festivals, crafting my own clothing/jewlery, and cuddling with my two cats :)

💜 Naomi (she/her) enjoys deep conversations, creativity, humor, and finding beauty in self-expression and connection. Naturally curious and thoughtful, she loves learning, reflecting, and imagining big possibilities for the future. She values authenticity, community, and creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and able to be themselves.

06/04/2026

CONGRATULATIONS to the 2026 graduating class of interACT Youth, moving up in the world with high school, college, and even Master’s degrees. We want to especially shout out Natalie, Arcade Denali, Mariah, Misha, and Tanis!

interACT Youth Saph accepted her full-ride offer to a Film and TV program. Mariah will be off to Theological Seminary.

We’re so proud of you all!