Items only move forward when legislators champion them. And legislators become champions for causes when they understand the personal stories behind them and are shown the strong connection to communities in their district and state.
The good news? No one knows your story or community like you! But sharing your story can be hard work, and it's important to make sure you're taking care of yourself. Read about intersex advocates' experiences with sharing their stories and setting boundaries here.
1. Educate, then persuade. Many people won’t have even a baseline understanding of intersex issues, and may not know the right terms to use. People shut down when they’re afraid to make mistakes. You can keep them with you by thinking about what terms you will use and explaining ones that might be unfamiliar.
2. Use first-person language. For example, say things like “as someone who,” “as a family who,” or “as a health care provider who” where appropriate.
3. Start with shared values. Common values stick, while specifics often don’t. Lead with values—like protecting health, respecting autonomy, and empowering families—before connecting those values to what this legislation does to address the issue.
4. Make it local. Show how many people are affected, and highlight the well-organized stakeholders across your state who will support this work. Underscore that this is a leadership opportunity for your elected officials while reminding them that they will not be alone.
5. Support with outside voices, too. Your personal story is essential, but it’s important to remind them that others agree with your position. While your audience might not have previous awareness of intersex issues, they will be aware of some key validators like the former Surgeons General and the State Department, which is why we highlight them in our materials.
6. The more, the merrier. This goes for a diversity of perspectives—such as intersex people who have and have not been subjected to surgery, and supportive health care providers and families—and in terms of numbers. It’s important to show just how many lives this legislation will touch.
