Pidgeon Pagonis, co-founder of the Intersex Justice Project, will lead a series of virtual events focused on intersex advocacy Nov. 5–6. Intersex is an umbrella term for differences in sex traits or reproductive anatomy. People can be born with these differences or develop them in childhood. Intersex activists work to raise awareness, to challenge shame and stigma, and to end surgical interventions on youth without consent. Pagonis is a leading voice in intersex advocacy and was honored as an LGBT Champion of Change in 2015 by the Obama White House.
The series will begin with a program called “Kids Supporting Kids: Understanding and Advocacy for Intersex Youth” for LGBTQIA+ youth ages 18 and under and their families, Thursday, Nov. 5, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Together with activist Banti Jaswal, a member of interAct, Pagonis will discuss the intersex community and how youth can advocate for themselves and for their intersex friends.
On Friday, Nov. 6, from noon to 1 p.m., Pagonis and Bria Grand Royal, director of engagement for InterACT, will present “Intersex Patients: Do No Harm at MetroHealth’s PRIDE Grand Rounds.” They will provide insight into the needs and concerns of intersex patients throughout the lifespan, and will challenge clinicians to advocate for excellent health care for intersex persons.
The final event is “Bringing Cleveland Together to Support our Intersex Community,” which will be held Friday, Nov. 6, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. M. Carmen Lane will moderate a conversation with Pagonis and Koomah, co-founder of The Houston Intersex Society, as they discuss life at the intersection of creativity, gender, health care and policy. They will share ideas and strategies about how Clevelanders can support our intersex communities.
The series is co-sponsored by the Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University LGBT Center, Case Med PRIDE, Schubert Center for Child Studies, Social Justice Institute, MetroHealth Department of Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, MetroHealth PRIDE Network, Studio West 117, the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, and Colors+ Youth Center.
Registration is required for all three free events.
For more information or to request assistance with accessibility issues, email schubertcenter@case.edu.