Intersex Pre-Conference Statement: ILGA Asia Conference 2025
The Intersex Pre-Conference brought together over 30 intersex individuals from across Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Nepal, to discuss priorities, challenges, and strategies for advancing intersex rights in the region.
Jeff Cagandahan, president and co-founder of Intersex Philippines, emphasized that while the community acknowledges progress in visibility and advocacy, an emphasis on the ongoing marginalization of intersex voices, the lack of meaningful inclusion in decision-making processes, and barriers to participation in regional LGBTIQ spaces, must be put to the fore.
A key concern was the limited representation of intersex perspectives within ILGA Asia’s structures, as well as financial and institutional challenges that prevent intersex individuals from fully engaging in advocacy efforts. The session underscored the urgent need for stronger recognition, increased funding, and dedicated spaces for intersex voices within the broader LGBTIQ movement.
The manifesto outlined a clear call to action, urging ILGA Asia to prioritize and integrate intersex perspectives in policy discussions and scholarship selections. It called for a dedicated allocation of 10% of scholarship funds to intersex individuals, ensuring the participation of intersex youth, intersex transgender individuals, and those with diverse intersex identities. Additionally, participants stressed the importance of creating more opportunities for intersex advocacy, reducing barriers to conference participation, and respecting the principles outlined in the Asian Intersex Statement 2023 as a guiding framework. The session reinforced the need to amplify intersex voices under the banner "I Exist: Intersex Rights are Human Rights." With a strong focus on long-term sustainability, participants emphasized the importance of securing spaces for intersex individuals in all ILGA Asia activities and increasing awareness within the regional LGBTIQ movement.
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The Intersex Pre-Conference took place on February 24, 2025, as part of the broader ILGA Asia Conference. This significant gathering brought together over 30 intersex individuals from various countries across Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Nepal.
During the pre-conference discussions, we collaboratively identified and formulated key messages that we respectfully urge ILGA Asia to prioritize and consider for the Intersex community.
Our key messages to ILGA Asia are;
Acknowledge and prioritize the perspectives and insights of the intersex board when addressing intersex issues within the ILGA Asia board.
Ensure that the Intersex Board’s voices are not only heard but also actively integrated into discussions regarding intersex scholarship selection for ILGA Asia.
Allocate 10% of the scholarship fund to Intersex individuals for their participation in the ILGA Asia event. This allocation is essential as it highlights the importance of including voices from the Intersex community such as Intersex youth, Intersex transgender individuals, and those identifying across the spectrum of Intersex identities.
Create more space for intersex to raise intersex awareness and to engage in meaningful participation in the ILGA Asia
Reduce the ILGA Asia registration fee as it gives accessibility for grassroots level and other small LGBTQI organizations to attend the ILGA conference.
Respect and adapt the statement/ resolutions outlined in the Asian Intersex Statement 2023 as a a guide for the Asian Intersex Movement.
Support the movement to affirm that "I" Exist: Intersex Rights are Human Rights as It is crucial to amplify our voices and raise awareness about the existence and rights of intersex individuals across the globe.
Include and ensure a secured space for all intersexindividuals in all activities and events organized by ILGA Asia.
Increase the support for raising intersex awareness in the Asia LGBTQ+ movement.
