Today In Gay History: First Public Demonstration By Intersex People In North America

On October 26, 1996, during a conference for the American Academy of Pediatrics in Boston, activists from Intersex Society of North America and Transexual Menace began the first ever protest of its kind.

The group held signs with messages like "Hermaphrodites With Attitude" written on them and marked the first official demonstration by intersex people in North America. The event was also the inspiration for Intersex Awareness Day, celebrated on October 26 every year.

Although the protest was in 1996, the national commemoration of Intersex Awareness Day wasn't seriously discussed until 2003 and officially enacted the following year--making this year its 12th anniversary.

"Little did I and Emi Koyama know back in 2003 and 2004 that Intersex Awareness Day would turn into something that actually makes a difference," says Betsy Driver who is also founder of Body Like Ours. "Every October I see people talking about it on social media, and I see news items, and I see it trending on the internet and I couldn't be prouder."