RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 26, 2020 AS AWARENESS DAY

WHEREAS, is celebrated nationwide on October 26th in honor of the first public demonstration of intersex people in the United States at the American Academy of Pediatrics at its annual conference held in Boston on October 23, 1996; and

WHEREAS, “Intersex” refers to individuals born with variations in their physical characteristics, including differences in genital anatomy, internal reproductive structures, chromosomes, or hormonal variations; and

WHEREAS, according to experts, as much as 1.7% of the population is born with intersex traits, a number similar to the number of red-haired people in the population; and

WHEREAS, it is known and reported that intersex babies and children are often subject to unnecessary medical interventions, many times irreversible and done without their full informed consent, many of which interventions can be safely deferred until the child becomes an adult; and

WHEREAS, many of these interventions have lifelong consequences on intersex individuals’ physical and mental health; and

WHEREAS, because their bodies are often seen as different, intersex children and adults are often stigmatized and subjected to discrimination and multiple human rights violations; and

WHEREAS, many public health and human rights officials and organizations--including the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the World Health Organization, Physicians for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, and the Intersex and Genderqueer Recognization Project--have acknowledged the harm these interventions may cause; and

WHEREAS, Intersex Awareness Day has been recognized by the United States Department of State in both 2016 and 2017, stating in a press release “intersex persons routinely face forced medical surgeries that are conducted at a young age without free or informed consent. These interventions jeopardize their physical integrity and ability to live free;” and

WHEREAS, in spite of the many organizations working around the world to call attention to the issues and discrimination faced by intersex individuals, many intersex children and adults, in the United States and globally, continue to face medically unnecessary surgeries as well as prejudice, exclusion, and discrimination; and

WHEREAS, Intersex Awareness Day promotes awareness of these issues and the discrimination that individuals in the intersex community face and to encourage the development of legislation prohibiting the medically unnecessary surgeries to intersex children; to encourage medical groups and societies to educate their members and the public on these medical conditions

Page 1 of 2 and to better inform the public so that intersex individuals can be treated in a non-discriminatory manner; and

WHEREAS, Intersex Awareness Day affirms that intersex people are valued members of the Oklahoma City community that contribute to the diversity and character of our city; and

WHEREAS, Intersex Awareness Day acknowledges that intersex children and adults deserve both human rights and lives free from prejudice, exclusion, and discrimination; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of The City of Oklahoma City, that October 26, 2020 is designated as Intersex Awareness Day in Oklahoma City.

ADOPTED by the Council and SIGNED by the Mayor of The City of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this 13th day of October 2020.

The City of Oklahoma City ATTEST:

City Clerk Mayor

REVIEWED for form and legality.

Deputy Municipal Counselor

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