2022 Houston Pride – The Houston Intersex Society

Square image with a yellow and purple border. In the bottom right corner is a yellow cartoon snail with a purple shell. It has a smile on it’s face. the test in the middle of the image says, “March with us in the 2022 Houston Pride Parade! June 25. Details coming soon.” On both sides of “June 25” are large yellow stars.

Stay tuned for more info on how you can march with us in the 2022 Houston Pride Parade! This year we’ll have the world’s first INTERSEX ART CAR and we will be marching with banners highlighting some of the many historical firsts that The Houston Intersex Society has accomplished.

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The Houston Intersex Society (THIS) is an all-volunteer BIPOC led Houston-based grassroots non-profit organization for, by, and about intersex people. THIS aims to empower and enrich the lives of intersex people while working to end shame and create visibility through education, community events, and the arts.

DONATE!: https://tfahouston.com/the-houston-intersex-society/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/houinter
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_houston_intersex_society/
More links: https://linktr.ee/IntersexHouston

2022 Beaumont PrideFest

Image of a ‘progress’ pride flag with horizontal rainbow stripes and on the left, a chevron design pointing to the right with white, light blue, light pink, brown, and black. Under the flag is text that says, “Saturday at 11 AM – 11 PM. PFLAG Beaumon PrideFest 2022. Jefferson Theatre.

We will have a booth at Beaumont PrideFest!

Saturday, June 11th
NOON – 5 pm
Jefferson Theatre
345 Fannin st
Beaumont, TX

Be sure to stop by and say, “Hi!” to Mo, learn more about what we’re up to, grab some swag, and maybe even win a prize!

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Intersex 4 Repro Justice!

With all the concerns about the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade, we thought it was important to be visible about the intersections of reproductive justice and bodily autonomy. We know first hand what happens when medical communities and governments dictate what happens to your body. Now more than ever we are present in solidarity with all bodies who may become pregnant and demand bodily autonomy and reproductive justice for everyone! Our bodies, our choice – your body, your choice!

Koomah made this design for some t-shirts and Mo made some signs in English and Español. Look for us at various reproductive justice rallies in Houston and Austin.

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HATCH youth

Image has 5 colorful tall trapezoids in orange, green, blue, indigo, and purple. Text on top of the trapezoids says, “hatch” in white. Below the trapezoids at the bottom right is the word “youth” in indigo.

On March 15th, we had the honor of being guest speakers for HATCH youth for one of their digital Zoom meetings. This was very special to us, as both co-founders of The Houston Intersex Society met each other as teenagers in the HATCH program.

We did an Intersex 101 presentation and discussed some of the work that we’re doing in the community. We really encouraged the youth to take initiative and not be intimidated by their age or lack of resources. You don’t have to wait for a big multi-million dollar org to be the ones to make impact and change things, you can make a big difference exactly who you are and where you are!

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DONATE: https://tfahouston.com/the-houston-intersex-society/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/houinter
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_houston_intersex_society/
More links: https://linktr.ee/IntersexHouston

BIPOC Arts Network & Fund

In the center of the image is The Houston Intersex Society logo. It is an intersex flag, yellow background with a purple ring in the center. The text on the flag says, “The Houston Intersex Society” in black letters. In the center of the purple ring is a outline of the state of Texas in white. A large multi-color border around the logo features rectangles in green, blue, purple, orange, and pink. Each rectangle has white letter in the center with text that says, “We are BIPOC Arts Network & Fund grantees”.

We are honored to have been selected as one of the recipients of a BIPOC Arts Network and Fund grant for our work with the iPOCA Collective (intersex People of Color Artist Collective) and our educational and awareness efforts through the arts!

Image resembles an intersex flag with a yellow background and purple ring in the center. Text on the image says, “intersex POC artist collective”. At the top in black is the word “intersex”. In the center of the image in purple are the letters P, O, & C in purple. The letter O forms the purple ring in the center of the intersex flag. At the bottom of the image are the words “artist collective” in black letters. In the center of the purple ring is a 3D drawing of a fist with dark brown skin.

We’re proud of our work and all of our fellow grantees for their unwavering dedication to serving Houston’s communities of color through the arts.

See a full list of BANF grantees on the BIPOC Arts Network and Fund page!

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2021 Intersex Day of Remembrance

Image is black with yellow text that says, “Intersex Day of Remembrance. November 8.” In the center is a round version of the intersex flag with a yellow background and purple ring in the center. Inside the purple ring is an image of a small lit memorial candle.

For our annual Intersex Day of Remembrance we re-shared the video that we made last year. A digital video seemed safer than trying to do a meet-up during COVID. It’s also more accessible to everyone all over so that’s a plus too.

Intersex Day of Remembrance, also known as Intersex Day of Solidarity, takes place on November 8. The day marks the birthday of Herculine Barbin, a French intersex person whose memoirs were later published by the philosopher Michel Foucault.

Intersex Day of Solidarity:
https://intersexday.org/en/intersex-day-of-solidarity/

Herculine Barbin:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herculine_Barbin

Our special candle lighting and presentation video for Intersex Day of Remembrance (Intersex Day of Solidarity) is accessible on our IGTV, YouTube, and Facebook.

In addition to the candle lighting, we also discuss the importance of Intersex Day of Remembrance presented along with some clips from our previous Intersex Awareness Day variety show.

IGTV: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CHWt8JpJ72I/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC_uHwJkTkY

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/houinter/videos/390486582398237/

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Educating Legislators

Image is of 3 people each smiling while taking a bite of pizza. On the left is Mo Cortez, a Latino intersex man. He is wearing a white button up collared shirt with a grid pattern on it. He has light tan skin, short brown hair, and is wearing black rectangular glasses. In the middle is former senator/current congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. She is wearing a red jacked, white shirt, and a white necklace. She has light skin and light brown hair. on the right is Koomah, an intersex person. they are wearing a dark shirt, dark nail polish, and black angular glasses. they have tan skin and their head is shaved with black hair only at their temples. All 3 are standing in front of the state seal of Texas. At the time this photo was taken, Sylvia Garcia was a Senator.

We’ve spent many hours educating all different kinds of people about intersex issues; medical students, expectant parents, LGBTQ+ groups, and also legislators. Constantly presenting Intersex 101’s, telling our personal stories, and answering questions can be exhausting, so it’s always great seeing our hard work pay off when legislators are actively advocating for us and the protection of our community!

Image is a screenshot of text on Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia’s website. The text says, “Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29) Introduces Bill to Protect Intersex Children’s Dignity and Autonomy Over Their Bodies. November 2, 2021 Press Release. Media Contact: Daniela Campos daniela.campos@mail.house.gov 202-227-0330 **WASHINGTON, D.C.** – Following the 2021 anniversary of National Intersex Awareness Day, **Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29)** introduced H.R. 5730 the Protect Intersex Children Act (PICA) to protect the dignity and bodily autonomy of children born with variations in sex characteristics. The bill would prohibit medically unnecessary surgeries on intersex children in the foster care system. “Too many children are subjected to invasive surgeries and lifelong consequences against their will,” **said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29).** “These surgeries are not just unnecessary, they are a clear violation of bodily autonomy and cause lasting harm to children who wouldn’t be able to understand what is being done to them, let alone consent. Intersex children should be able to grow up and make their own decisions about their bodies when they are old enough to do so.”

This is the first ever intersex specific bill introduced on the federal level!
H.R. 5730 the Protect Intersex Children Act (PICA)

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Intersex Roundtable with the White House

Image is a screenshot of a Facebook post by The Houston Intersex Society page. Text at top says “We were honored to be part of this historic roundtable discussion.” Below that is an image of a weblink. In the middle is a blue rectangle with a silhouette of the white house. under the image of the white house are the words, “The White House Washington” in white letters. At the bottom in a grey box is black text that says, “Readout of White House Roundtable on Intersex Awareness Day. The White House.”

You can read the press release about the roundtable below:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/10/27/readout-of-white-house-roundtable-on-intersex-awareness-day/

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2021 Intersex Awareness Day

Image resembles an intersex flag with a yellow background and purple ring below the center. Text in purple letters above the purple ring says, “Intersex Awareness Day October 26th. There is a purple arch on the far left and far right of the image.

We had some great events for Intersex Awareness Day!

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Illumination of Houston City Hall

Image is of Houston City Hall at night. It is a building with a tall building in the center and 2 short buildings, one on each side. the taller building in the center has an illuminated clock face at the top. The building is illuminated a purplish blue color. There are trees on both sides of the building and a reflecting pool in front of the building.

We had our annual illumination of Houston City Hall and the 6 bridges over US-59.
Due to some technical difficulty with the lighting, the illumination of Houston City Hall in purple and yellow appeared more of a purple blue color this year.

The 6 bridges over US-59 didn’t have any lighting issues and were illuminated with each bridge in alternating purple and yellow colors.

A bit of history about Intersex Awareness Day in Houston:

In 2015, Houston City Hall was the first government building ever to be illuminated for Intersex Awareness Day.

In 2017, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner issued a proclamation declaring Oct 25th Intersex Awareness Day in Houston, to commemorate the date of the first Houston City Hall illumination.

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Annual Intersex Awareness Day TV Special

A 3D cartoon snail with a yellow body and purple shell with yellow highlights smiles. Across the snail’s body are the words “SPECIAL EVENT!” in red letters. Text below the picture says, “Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at 4pm. intersex Awareness Day TV Special. online Event.”

We are always excited to share Houston’s annual screening of the Intersex Awareness Day TV special. It’s a variety show program with live performances by intersex people and a few of our endosex (non-intersex) pals with music, spoken word, dancing, and a few short films.

Hosted by Mo Cortez and Koomah.

Tune in to HMS TV in Houston:
Comcast channel 17
ATT U-Verse channel 99
Suddenlink channel 99
Phonoscope channel 96

or watch online on their website: http://www.hmstv.org/

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History of a Happy Hermaphrodite TV airing

Title at the top of the image says “History of a happy hermaphrodite”. Below the title is an image of a performer’s head and shoulders moving. Their movement makes their head and shoulders blurred across the picture. The image is a variation of black, pinks, and reds. The text at the bottom of the image says, “Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at 6pm. History of a Happy Hermaphrodite. Online Event.”

We are proud to present the annual TV airing of the stage production ‘History of a Happy Hermaphrodite’ for Intersex Awareness Day.

About the show: Framed around a humorous therapy session with a pet cat; an unapologetic story of trauma, survival, and defiance is formed through a series of short performance vignettes utilizing movement, music, and video.
*Suggested for mature audiences.

Featuring:
Melelani Petersen as Jack the cat & Stephanie Saint Sanchez as Manba the cat.

Assisted by Mo Cortez, Berengaria Navarre, and Kealoha Petersen.

The first half of the show titled ‘history of a happy hermaphrodite: part 1’ was presented at the 2015 Houston Fringe Festival. This is the full stage performance with part 1 and part 2. This is not the film festival edit or an in-studio produced film version.

*History of a Happy Hermaphrodite contains references to drug use, human trafficking, PTSD, abuse, sex work, and other potentially upsetting subject matter.

Comcast channel 17
ATT U-Verse channel 99
Suddenlink channel 99
Phonoscope channel 96

or watch on their website: http://www.hmstv.org

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Presentation for PFLAG

Image is a rainbow background with white text that says, “Reminder! October general meeting. Oct. 10, 2 pm. The Houston Intersex Society will present Intersex 101”

What an awesome group! Our presentation went well and there were lot’s of great questions. Participants were empowered to support the intersex community. We made some new friends and allies.

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Intersex presentation for MENSA

Image is of a program pamphlet. It is blue at the top and black at the bottom with an image of lit up buildings from downtown Houston. In the top right hand corner is a red round sticker with a face with white hair, yellow glasses, and a white MENSA mask. the text at the top of the sticker says, “Event update: Masking required. The top center of the program is an image of the top half of a globe with only white latitude and longitude lines. the bottom half of the globe is solid black and inside contains white images of a chess piece, an atom model, and a musical note. In the middle of the globe in black letters are the words, “multifaceted minds MENSA world gathering 2021. below the globe in white are the words, “August 24-29, 2021. Houston, TX. Different kinds of smart. At the very bottom of the image are the words, “for the most up-to-date program listings, download the MENSA WG app!”

What an exciting opportunity! We were asked to speak at the MENSA world gathering that was in Houston. We were one of several presenters, including former Mayor Annise Parker, and the keynote speaker LaVar Burton!

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2022 Beaumont PrideFest

Intersex 4 Repro Justice!

HATCH youth

BIPOC Arts Network & Fund

2021 Intersex Day of Remembrance

Educating Legislators

Intersex Roundtable with the White House

2021 Intersex Awareness Day

Illumination of Houston City Hall

Annual Intersex Awareness Day TV Special

History of a Happy Hermaphrodite TV airing

Presentation for PFLAG

Intersex presentation for MENSA

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