Intersex flag

History and design

The flag was created in July 2013 by Morgan Carpenter of Intersex Human Rights Australia (then known as Organisation Intersex International Australia) to create a flag "that is not derivative, but is yet firmly grounded in meaning". Yellow and purple were chosen as colours as they were viewed as free from gender associations and were historically used to represent intersex people. The circle is described as "unbroken and unornamented, symbolizing wholeness and completeness, and our potentialities."

The organization describes it as freely available "for use by any intersex person or organization who wishes to use it, in a human rights affirming community context".

Usage

The intersex flag has been utilised by a range of media and human rights organisations. In June 2018, intersex activists took part in Utrecht Canal Pride, waving the flag.

In May 2018, New Zealand became the first country where the intersex flag was raised outside the national parliament.

Gallery

File:Utrechtpride-intersexboat.jpg|Intersex activists on a boat at Utrecht Canal Pride in the Netherlands, on June 16, 2018

File:ILGA conference 2018 Intersex Awareness Day group photo.jpg|ILGA-Europe conference 2018 participants on Intersex Awareness Day, 2018 File:Rotterdam Pride 2018 036.jpg|Rotterdam Pride, Netherlands, 2018 File: Parliament buildings 18 March 2019 b.jpg|Outside the New Zealand Parliament Buildings, 18 March 2019, flown at half-staff in memory of those killed in the Christchurch mosque shootings on 15 March 2019.

Flags derived from the intersex flag

The intersex flag has been remixed and adapted in numerous ways. For example, in 2021, the intersex flag was incorporated into the Progress Pride Flag version of the rainbow pride flag by Valentino Vecchietti of Intersex Equality Rights UK. File:Intersex-inclusive pride flag.svg|The Progress Pride flag with the intersex flag (2021)

Other intersex symbols

Because the word "orchid" comes from the Greek word for testicle, and the orchiectomy is a common surgery performed on intersex infants –especially those with androgen insensitivity syndrome– the orchid flower is symbolic of intersexuality and of opposition to non-consensual genital surgery.

References

References

1. "Pride Flag Guide: Intersex (Phox Design) | Library.LGBT".
2. Carpenter, Morgan. (5 July 2013). "An intersex flag". [[Intersex Human Rights Australia]].
3. [http://gaynewsnetwork.com.au/news/senate-inquiry-reveals-forced-surgery-on-intersex-children-11467.html Senate Inquiry reveals forced surgery on intersex children] {{webarchive. link. (2013-11-10 , Gay News Network, 25 September 2013)
4. [http://gaynewsnetwork.com.au/news/intersex-advocates-address-findings-of-senate-committee-into-involuntary-sterilisation-12237.html Intersex advocates address findings of Senate Committee into involuntary sterilisation] {{webarchive. link. (2016-01-15 , Gay News Network, 28 October 2013)
5. [http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/local-news/historic-intersex-rights-inquiry-in-senate/120821 Historic intersex rights inquiry in Senate] {{webarchive. link. (2014-06-20 , [[Star Observer]], 26 March 2014.)
6. [http://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2014/06/27/stofna_intersex_island_5/ Stofna Intersex Ísland] {{webarchive. link. (2015-01-01 , [[Morgunblaðið]], 26 June 2014.)
7. Newshub staff. (May 18, 2018). "New Zealand becomes first country to fly intersex flag at Parliament". [[Newshub]].
8. Gattey, Megan. (May 18, 2018). "New Zealand becomes the first country to fly intersex flag at Parliament". [[Stuff.co.nz]].
9. Power, Shannon. (May 21, 2018). "New Zealand is the first country to raise intersex flag outside parliament". [[Gay Star News]].
10. Gilchrist, Tracy E. (June 8, 2021). "Pride Flag Gets Redesign to Include Intersex Folks". [[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)]].
11. (26 October 2013). "Symbols".
12. (24 November 2020). "Intersex Symbols".