Hiker Chiu

Hiker Chiu (Chinese: 丘愛芝; born 1966) is a Taiwanese intersex human rights activist who founded Oii-Chinese in 2008 and cofounded Intersex Asia in 2018.[1]

Hiker Chiu
Hiker Chiu and their "Global Free Hugs with Intersex" movement
Born1966 (age 56–57)
NationalityTaiwanese
Known forIntersex activist and educator, founder of Oii-Chinese

Early life

Chiu did not fully develop the secondary sexual characteristics expected of women during their adolescent years. Upon viewing their medical records, they discovered that a physician had described their condition, in English, as a "pseudo hermaphrodite." Chiu felt that this description made them a "monster." Chiu asked their parents about their condition. They stated that they were both male and female with "two sets." Chiu did not learn about the word intersex until viewing the film XXY in 2008, and after they reread their medical files regarding surgical and hormonal treatment performed in their early years.[2][3][4][5]

Activism

Through Oii-Chinese organisation aims to end "normalising" surgeries on intersex children, promote awareness of intersex issues, and improve government recognition of gender. The organisation also gives lectures and lobbies government. As part of this mission, Chiu started a "free hugs with intersex" campaign at Taiwan Pride in 2010.[6][7][8][9][10] This was also the first time Chiu appeared in public as an intersex person.[11]

Chiu participated in the first International Intersex Forum in 2011, including as a spokesperson.[12] In 2015, Chiu joined an international advisory board for a first philanthropic Intersex Human Rights Fund established by the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice.[13] In the same year, Chiu was elected to the board of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, representing ILGA Asia.[14]

Chiu is a co-founder of Intersex Asia, established in 2018.[1]

Education

Taipei Municipal Fuxing High School (臺北市立復興高級中學)

Fu Jen University (輔仁大學), Department of English Language and Literature

Graduate Institute of Somatology and Life Studies, Fo Guang University (佛光大學, 生命學研究所)

References
  1. "Intersex Asia – Asia's regional intersex network – set up at Asian Intersex Forum". Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice. February 14, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  2. Gaffney, Stuart; Lewis, John. "International Activist Hiker Chiu Helps to Lead the Way on Intersex Social Justice". San Francisco Bay Times. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  3. "Taiwan: Valentine's Day for intersex activist Hiker". Amnesty International. 14 February 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  4. ""We Are Not Monsters. We Are Full of Love." — Hiker Chiu, Taiwan". Medium. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  5. Allain, Pierre-Henri (July 1, 2015). "Sans contrefaçon, je suis fille et garçon". Libération. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
  6. "Neither here, nor there". Taipei Times. November 27, 2013.
  7. "擁抱陰陽人 系列2：停止矯正手術 陰陽兒不是異形". Lihpao Daily. 23 December 2013. Archived from the original on 3 July 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
  8. "Taiwan to allow legal gender changes without transitioning". Gay Star News. 9 December 2013.
  9. "Germany recognises gender 'X'". Liberty Times. November 3, 2013.
  10. "Intersex: Hiker Chiu's story". Radio Taiwan International. January 20, 2011. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  11. Ho, Yi (25 October 2013). "Pride and prejudice". Taipei Times. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  12. "First ever international intersex forum". International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. 7 September 2011.
  13. "Introducing the Intersex Fund team at Astraea!". Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice. Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice. June 16, 2015. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
  14. "Board". International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
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