SALEM – Mayor Dominick Pangallo invites community members to join the City of Salem on Monday, October 26th for Salem’s inaugural Intersex Awareness Day Flag Raising and a series of free community and educational events recognizing intersex people, their history, and their contributions to the broader LGBTQIA+ community.
October 26th marks the 30th anniversary of the first intersex protest, which took place in Boston in 1996. Thirty years later, Salem will mark the anniversary with its first official Intersex Awareness Day flag raising, bringing together community members, advocates, local officials, and intersex leaders for a day centered on visibility, education, and community. “Visibility matters, and education is an important part of building a community where everyone is able to live openly and authentically,” said Mayor Dominick Pangallo. “As we mark 30 years since the first intersex protest in Boston, I am proud that Salem is hosting its first Intersex Awareness Day flag raising. This is an opportunity to learn from intersex leaders and community members, recognize the history of this movement, and reaffirm Salem’s commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive city for all.”
Cinema Salem
The day will begin at Cinema Salem, where community members are invited to arrive at 10:45am for a special screening of Common as Red Hair written and directed by Robbie Robertson and executive produced by Kimberly Zieselamn, starring Wally Kurth and Kassie Depavia. This is a 15-minute short drama film released in 2023 that explores the experiences of an intersex individual and her family. The City of Salem is grateful to partner with Cinema Salem to host this film screening.
The screening will begin at approximately 11:05am and end around 11:20am. Immediately following the film, attendees will participate in a short March of Visibility from Cinema Salem to Salem City Hall, carrying intersex flags and walking together in recognition of Intersex Awareness Day.
Salem City Hall
The community will gather at Salem City Hall at approximately 11:40am for a speaking program and flag raising ceremony. The program will feature remarks from community members, local officials, and intersex advocates including international Human Rights Advocate Kimberly Zieselman, the first openly intersex person to work in the federal government, who served during the Biden Administration, and Erika Lorshbough, Executive Director of interAct, an intersex-led legal advocacy organization.
“interACT is so grateful to the City of Salem for the opportunity to take part in its Intersex Awareness Day celebrations!” said Erika, “Thirty years ago, intersex people and our allies gathered in Boston for the first-ever public demonstration calling for our fundamental rights to dignity and bodily autonomy. Salem officials are working hard to publicly recognize those essential rights and celebrate intersex people as valued community members – and these efforts make a difference.”
The program will recognize the history of the intersex rights movement, highlight the importance of visibility and education, and celebrate the intersex community. Following the speaking program, the City’s intersex flags will be raised in recognition of Intersex Awareness Day. The ceremony will conclude with a group photograph in front of Salem City Hall. The Salem Public Library will host an Intersex Resource Table featuring educational materials on intersex identity, along with pins, buttons, flags, and other resources to help community members learn more about the intersex community and its history.
Intersex Awareness Presentation and Lunch
Following the flag raising ceremony, the City of Salem will host a free educational presentation from 12:15pm to 1:15pm in the Salem City Council Chambers. The presentation will be led by Erika Lorshbough, Director of interAct, and will provide an introduction to intersex identity and the history of the intersex rights movement. The presentation is free and open to the public, though an RSVP is recommended. Community members interested in attending are encouraged to email Michael Corley at mcorley@salem.com to confirm attendance.
The City of Salem is pleased to partner with interAct, an intersex-led legal advocacy organization, in bringing this programming to the community. The organization works to advance the human rights of intersex people and support intersex youth and adults in living authentically and with dignity
Intersex Awareness Day is observed annually on October 26th and commemorates the first known intersex protest in Boston in 1996. This year marks 30 years of intersex visibility and advocacy, providing an opportunity to reflect on the movement’s history while continuing to build greater understanding and acceptance of intersex people.
All Intersex Awareness Day events hosted by the City of Salem are free and open to the public. Community members of all backgrounds are welcome to attend.
###
