Intersex Day of Remembrance

Intersex Day of Remembrance is observed each year on November 8. Also known as Intersex Day of Solidarity, it marks the birthday of Herculine Barbin, a French intersex person. The day draws attention to the experiences, rights and dignity of intersex people.

How the day started

According to Intersex Day of Solidarity, the observance was first held on November 8, 2005, as Intersex Solidarity Day. Joëlle-Circé Laramée, then the Canadian spokesperson for Organisation Intersex International, called on people interested in intersex human rights to commemorate the day. November 8 was chosen to mark Herculine Barbin’s birthday.

Barbin’s memoirs were later published by philosopher Michel Foucault, alongside contemporary texts and a fictionalized account. The observance is not a government holiday. It remembers Barbin and recognizes the histories of intersex people more broadly, while encouraging solidarity and attention to their rights and experiences.

What intersex means

Intersex is an umbrella term for people born with sex characteristics—such as chromosomes, hormones, reproductive organs or anatomy—that don’t fit typical definitions of male or female bodies. Intersex traits vary widely. Some are apparent at birth, while others become known during puberty or later in life. Some people may never know they have an intersex variation.

Intersex is about a person’s sex characteristics; it doesn’t determine their gender identity or sexual orientation. Intersex people may identify as women, men, nonbinary or in other ways. Their experiences and preferences differ, so it’s important not to assume that one person’s story represents everyone’s.

The day also encourages thoughtful discussion about consent and bodily autonomy. Some intersex people and advocates have raised concerns about medically unnecessary, irreversible procedures performed on children who are too young to consent. Medical decisions are individual, and families should have access to clear information and respectful care. Listening to intersex adults and organizations can help others understand why these conversations matter.

Ways to observe the day

• Read a first-person account by an intersex writer or listen to an interview, giving priority to sources created by intersex people and organizations.
• Share accurate information with friends or family. Explain that intersex traits are natural variations and that intersex people have diverse identities and experiences.
• Attend a local or online event hosted by an intersex-led group. Check the organizers’ guidance before sharing photos, personal stories or event details.
• Support intersex-led organizations through a donation, a volunteer contribution or by sharing their educational resources.
• Review the language used in your school, workplace or community materials. Use “intersex” respectfully, avoid treating it as a diagnosis or identity that everyone must disclose, and don’t ask people intrusive questions about their bodies.
• For a quiet observance, read about Herculine Barbin’s life and reflect on how medical records, laws and social expectations shape people’s lives. Keep the focus on respect for living intersex people as well as remembrance.

Reviewed by the Holiday List editorial team on November 4, 2026 · Last updated November 4, 2026.

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