Dear InterConnect Community



 

 by Rebecca Baughman Kerns

 

 

 

As I sit here and reflect on the past two years, I’m so proud of the many milestones we achieved.  The in-person conference in Minneapolis was not only well-received but also a testament to the strength of our community.  Every time I turned around, I saw a new connection being made, a new memory being formed or a new friendship created.  The impulse to connect, as often as we can, is not to be overlooked.  Whether you have attended one conference or dozens, they are life changing.  Minnesota showcased many of the victories happening in our own community.  We had the chance to sit together and watch a documentary about our community, giving voice to our lives.  I hope everyone reading this has the opportunity to get together with others in the intersex community.  If you cannot make it to a meet-up, let us help you create one in your own area.


Our monthly Zoom meetings have served as a lifeline through the past few turbulent years, providing a platform for participants to share, support, and find camaraderie with each other.  Our community has continually come together to uplift one another, proving that our strength lies in unity.   We have so much to learn from each other, and I hope that this continues well into the future.


It is amazing to watch the world learn more about the intersex community, as we become stronger and begin to speak out.  Recent films and memoirs are contributing to the broader narrative of the intersex experience, and these voices are crucial in dismantling misconceptions and fostering empathy within our society.


I am so grateful to be a part of this dynamic community.  These past few years have been both exciting and challenging for the board and so many members of our community.  The work this board is doing is immense.  I am so grateful for the support, passion, and dedication each board member and volunteer has brought to our cause this past year.


I cannot overstate the professionalism and enthusiasm this new board is bringing to the table in 2024.  As I say goodbye to my role, I am thrilled to announce that Nick Vary will be stepping up to lead the new board as President.  Nick brings a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to the cause.  I am confident that under Nick’s guidance, InterConnect will continue to thrive and evolve.  We are also so blessed to have Adam Davies begin their first term as Secretary, as well as Ravid Nash continue her role as Treasurer.



My dear friends – it has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your President for the last two years.  Thank you for entrusting me with this responsibility.  I have full faith that the InterConnect community will continue to flourish, and I am excited to witness the incredible journey that lies ahead.


Wishing you all continued success, growth, and unity.


With heartfelt gratitude,


 -- Rebecca Baughman Kerns

Outgoing InterConnect Board President

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Living Out

Image
    with Banti Jaswal     As we celebrate Intersex Awareness Day we turn out attention to our incredible community for your thoughts on awareness and living authentically. Banti Jaswal (they/them), is an intersex artist, presenter, and Greater Boston Area PFLAG scholarship recipient. For this special IAD newsletter issue Banti shares about their experiences of becoming and living authentically. On Coming Out I was able to come out after I had a community of people who loved and supported me no matter what. With these intersex and non intersex people behind me I thought “well who cares what other people think”. I was fortunate that most of my experiences have been great. It's important to be prepared for questions that people may not know are offensive but this helps me with my speaking. The bad experiences don't hurt me as hard with my core family and friend’s love. Before coming out I wish I'd known that it is one step closer to being your true self. For me, at least, it f
Read more

Official Name Change Notice

Image
    InterConnect Board and Staff     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   INTERCONNECT SUPPORT GROUP Formerly known as AIS-DSD Support Group, InterConnect has transformed and is committed to serving all intersex people. [Columbus, GA - August 9, 2021] After community input, organizational alignment, and rebranding, AIS-DSD Support Group is now officially known as InterConnect Support Group. InterConnect Support Group shall hereby be referenced accordingly on all communication, content, and websites. Please adjust your content and resource material accordingly:   ● Organization Name: InterConnect Support Group ● Organization Nickname: InterConnect ● Website: www.interconnect.support ● Logo: Contact courtney@interconnect.support for files. ● Email: info@interconnect.support InterConnect is a compassionate and affirming virtual community, open to all intersex individuals, family members and allies, working together to promote a better quality of life through connection, support, education, and a
Read more

Remembering InterConnect's Founder

Image
Sherri Groveman Morris On Monday, October 9, we learned of the passing of InterConnect ’s dear founder, Sherri Groveman Morris (1958-2023).  Sherri, an orchid legend, founded InterConnect in 1996 as the AISSG-US (Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome Support Group, US Chapter) and was also actively involved with the Intersex Society of North American (ISNA). At that time, InterConnect functioned as a small support group for women with AIS.  Over the last 27 years, InterConnect has grown into an organization that supports people with all intersex variations and gender identities, their families, friends, and allies.  Dr. Charmian Quigley, who knew Sherri from InterConnect 's founding, wrote this about Sherri:  "Passionate and compassionate, committed, courageous, dedicated, warm, honest, human, humorous, driven, bold, articulate, engaging, our surrogate mother and grandmother, the matriarch of our family tree; the architect of a support movement that has blossomed over 28 years
Read more