Ensuring the Rights of Intersex Athletes to Safe, Inclusive Sports Environments

The LGBTI community faces numerous, often unique challenges when it comes to their right to participate in sport. Discriminatory narratives, exclusionary policies, and pervasive online harassment are just a few of the significant obstacles that hinder their ability to engage and enjoy in sports at all levels. These barriers are a clear violation of their fundamental rights to inclusion and equal participation.

This submission, provided to the call for inputs for the preparation of the Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights pursuant to the Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/RES/55/14, to explore the distinct challenges that intersex individuals face within the sporting context. By exploring these issues through a human rights lens, the submission highlights the urgent need to address these escalating challenges. The goal is to shed light on how sports from grassroots and recreational to elite levels can evolve to be more inclusive and affirming for intersex athletes.

The report concludes by offering recommendations to sports governing bodies and government entities outlining urgent measures these institutions should adopt to protect the rights of intersex individuals to participate in sports at all levels.

You can read our full submissions below.