Today is Intersex Awareness Day. Since 2012, Micro Rainbow has supported lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex refugees and asylum seekers who have had to flee their homelands due to their identities, or who they fall in love with. This is accomplished through a series of programmes that provide safe inclusive housing, resources to help beneficiaries find employment, and the social inclusion programme, which helps to reduce the extreme isolation often faced by LGBTQI people. Today, on Intersex Awareness Day, Micro Rainbow shares stories from some of the intersex refugees and asylum seekers who have lived in our safe houses. It is also an opportunity to learn more about intersex people, the challenges they face, and how increasing awareness of intersex people can help change attitudes.
As it stands now, intersex people face misunderstanding and persecution in many parts of the world, even in areas that are considered supportive and accepting of most LGBTQI identities.
Micro Rainbow has always supported intersex people fleeing persecution
In our commitment to creating truly inclusive and affirming spaces, Micro Rainbow proudly embraces the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag. We are dedicated to displaying symbols that represent the full spectrum of the LGBTQI community that we support.
The Intersex Pride Flag, a bright yellow field with a solid purple circle in the centre, was created by Morgan Carpenter in 2013. The yellow and purple colours are historically chosen as distinct from the traditional pink/blue gender binary. The unbroken purple circle symbolises that intersex people are born whole and complete, just as they are. The circle represents wholeness and autonomy of intersex people. This flag is prominently displayed in Micro Rainbow safe houses, signaling that this is a space where intersex people are understood, respected, and celebrated.
The Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag, designed by Valentino Vecchietti in 2021, incorporates the intersex symbol alongside the existing chevrons that represent marginalised people of color, transgender, and non-binary communities. This flag is SOGIESC-inclusive, representing people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, as well as sex characteristics. Micro Rainbow utilises this flag as a core symbol of our mission, representing our commitment to supporting the entire LGBTQI spectrum. Our safe housing, employment support, and social inclusion programmes are designed with the specific needs and experiences of all people in mind.
Demographics
Those who fall under that identity of intersex are far more common than one might think. 1.7% of the global population meets some classification as Intersex, that is being born with phenotypes or chromosomal make up that does not align completely with male or female classifications. Approximately 1.1 million people meet the intersex classification in the UK alone. This percentage reveals that it is actually fairly common and comparable to identical twins or being born with red hair. Being intersex is not unusual, and intersex people deserve to feel safe and welcome.
Hardships due to intersex identity
Intersex people often face persecution and harassment for their identity and bodies. Many people are unaware of how common being intersex is, and persecute intersex people in their communities. Some intersex people are forced to flee their homelands to escape this persecution – those that come to the UK may then find support through Micro Rainbow.
One of the major issues that intersex people face is ‘corrective’ surgeries performed on them when they are incredibly young that try to ‘rectify’ the parts of their body that would identify them as intersex. Many studies show that intersex features and characteristics are very often not harmful, and a majority have no need to be ‘corrected’ or changed in a surgery. Intersex advocacy groups have long been opposed to these surgeries and urge parents of intersex children to refrain from subjecting their children to them.
Sami’s Story
Micro Rainbow has supported many intersex people and has helped them escape harmful and dangerous situations while providing opportunities for the future. Sami, an Intersex person from El Salvador describes the fear they had when living in ordinary asylum housing as they were constantly afraid of being assaulted or attacked. Yet after being moved into Micro Rainbow safe housing, they noted a drastic change in their environment and how safe they felt. Saying that “being in this house feels really extraordinary, especially when there are people you can relate with”. Sami had since found community and a support system to help them through their asylum journey, noting that “feeling that love, is a huge difference.”
Intersex Awareness Day
This Intersex Awareness Day, Micro Rainbow wishes to remember stories like Sami and so many others who have overcome hardship and found a loving and supporting community since coming to the UK and moving into our safe inclusive housing.
If you would like to help support intersex people like Sami who have been forced to flee persecution, become a Micro Rainbow ally!
