For this year’s LGBTQ+ History Month keynote lecture, Kenyon proudly welcomes two organizers, Amanda Saenz (they/them) and Bria Brown-King (they/them), from InterAct Advocates for Intersex Youth — the nation’s largest intersex advocacy organization.

While most people know that the "I" in the LGBTQIA+ acronym stands for intersex, there is still a gap in knowledge when it comes to the general public being able to define intersex. This presentation is designed to thoroughly define the term intersex and outline the unique issues facing the community and how they overlap with the broader LGBTQ. They will also discuss the history of the movement and talk about concrete ways allies can show up in support, including folks at colleges and universities. The audience will hear real life examples to reiterate that no two intersex people have the same experience even if they have the same intersex variation. They will discuss common variations and give advice on what to do if you or someone you know thinks that they might be intersex. The presentation will also include common misconceptions people have about intersex folks, intersex policy and why intersex people and all people deserve to have autonomy over their bodies. 

Amanda Saenz (they/them) is a Central American non-binary intersex person currently based in Seattle where they work as an intersex activist and educator. They have served as a board member for InterConnect, the nation’s largest intersex support group organization and worked as interACT’s youth program manager. Since joining interACT’s youth group in 2013, they have since gone on to raise awareness on the needs of intersex people not just in Seattle, but across the United States as well as abroad. They hope to see a future where intersex youth are cherished and intersex adults have access to the resources that meet their needs.

Bria Brown-King (they/them) identifies as a queer, intersex, masculine presenting black person. They are currently living in Oklahoma, but were born and raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Bria’s intersex variation is Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, CAH for short. Bria works as the program coordinator for InterACT. Bria started doing advocacy work as a youth member with interACT where they published articles for the ACLU, TeenVogue and Them Magazine. They were also the first out intersex person to speak about intersex issues on the steps of the Supreme Court.

Zoom details will be shared via email prior to the event.