Intersex community meeting

Are you intersex / do you have a variation in sex characteristics and live in Norway? We are inviting intersex people to a community meeting in Bergen! The meeting is an opportunity to meet other intersex people, share experiences and perspectives, and talk about what it is like to be intersex / have a variation in sex characteristics in Norway. 

We want to create a space where intersex people can come together, connect and exchange experiences. We also want to hear your thoughts on what is important to intersex people in Norway, and what kinds of meeting places, information and support could be useful. We want the meeting to have a safe, confidential and inclusive framework.  

At the meeting, we will be joined by Irene Kuzemko, Senior Capacity & Community Building Officer at OII Europe, an umbrella organisation for intersex organisations in Europe. Irene will present an overview of the intersex human rights movement in Europe and its goals, as well as share her experience in intersex community building. The meeting is organised as part of the project “Intersex i Norge” by KUN - Centre for Equality in Western Norway and FRI – The Norwegian Organization for Sexual and Gender Diversity. The project has an advisory committee of intersex persons who assists in shaping the programme.  

In the project, we use intersex as an umbrella term for people born with sex characteristics – such as reproductive organs, hormonal structures and/or levels, or chromosomal patterns – that do not fit typical medical definitions of male or female bodies. You do not need a diagnosis to participate, nor do you need to identify with the term “intersex”, but you do need to be a part of the intersex / variation in sex characteristics umbrella.  

We understand that anonymity and privacy may be particularly important when meeting other intersex people. You do not need to use your legal name or your full name when participating, and we ask everyone attending to respect each other’s privacy and not share other participants’ names, stories or personal information outside the meeting. The meeting room is located on the second floor, with no visibility from the street or from neighbouring buildings, so participants will not be visible to people passing by. The address will only be shared with registered participants. You are also welcome to contact us beforehand if you have any concerns about privacy or anonymity. 

You do not need any previous experience with activism, organisations or community work. There is no expectation that you share personal or medical experiences. You decide what you want to share, and you are also very welcome to simply listen, meet others and be part of the conversation.