Icelandic intersex activist Kitty Anderson has spent years fighting for bodily autonomy, challenging unnecessary surgeries on intersex children, and breaking the silence and stigma around intersex lives. GayIceland’s Magdalena Łukasiak spoke with Kitty about Iceland’s progress, the obstacles that remain and how the global backlash against queer rights is shaping her work.
Legal milestones — and their limits
When Intersex Iceland was founded in 2014, the legal landscape looked very different. Since then, Iceland has adopted the Gender Autonomy Act, banning most surgeries on intersex infants and guaranteeing access to personal medical data. The penal code was amended to include “sex characteristics,” extending protection against hate crimes and hate speech. Anti-discrimination laws were also broadened to cover employment, education, health care, and access to services.
“These were huge steps forward,” Kitty reflects. “But most were passed during COVID. Only recently have we begun to see how they are applied. Some provisions work, others are ignored. It’s too early to know their full impact.”
We’re seeing attempts to import the culture wars of the US and UK. Much of it comes from the US religious right, Russian networks, and European oligarchs. They are highly organized. That’s why research, education, tracking funding, and strengthening our networks are crucial to push back.
For Kitty, a turning point came in 2020, when parliament debated amendments to the Gender Autonomy Act. “I was watching at home during lockdown. Apart from one party, there was cross-party support. That was the moment I felt the movement had truly gained ground.”
The challenges ahead
Despite progress, Icelandic law still permits some irreversible surgeries on intersex children. “Hypospadias repairs, for example, are still performed despite nearly a 50 percent re-operation rate,” Kitty says. “The law is vague, monitoring is weak, and doctors retain too much discretion. Compared to international standards, our protections remain fragile.”
Her vision is simple: full bodily autonomy for children. “I would ban all interventions on a child’s sex characteristics unless medically necessary for immediate health. And I would create an intersex-focused mental health team to offer counseling and peer support for children, teenagers, adults, and families.”
Iceland’s mixed reality
Iceland likes to market itself as queer-friendly, and Kitty agrees – up to a point. “For tourists, it feels safe and welcoming. But for some queer people living here, harassment and violence are real. Kids fear bullying on their way to school. There have been physical attacks on openly queer people. Police had to foil a planned attack on Reykjavík Pride. And meanwhile, senior figures in the judiciary joked about not needing ‘more gays’ when discussing asylum seekers. Most Icelanders are open and progressive, but pockets of homophobia, racism, and anti-feminist sentiment still persist.”
I would ban all interventions on a child’s sex characteristics unless medically necessary for immediate health. And I would create an intersex-focused mental health team to offer counseling and peer support for children, teenagers, adults, and families.
Facing the global backlash
Iceland is also caught in the wider backlash. “We’re seeing attempts to import the culture wars of the US and UK,” Kitty warns. “The European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights has tracked billions in funding for groups across Europe pushing anti-trans, anti-immigrant, and anti-women agendas.
Much of it comes from the US religious right, Russian networks, and European oligarchs. They are highly organized, with conferences, lobbying, and PR machines.
That’s why research, education, tracking funding, and strengthening our networks are crucial to push back.”
The backlash is especially visible in sports. “Federations have long demanded women ‘prove their sex.’ Now the issue is politicized, not scientific. Research shows trans women on hormone replacement therapy do not outperform others. Yet decisions are made by people with no background in biology. It’s discriminatory and dangerous.”
Grounded in families, not politics
What keeps Kitty going in her work are the families. “Talking to parents of intersex kids shows me exactly where change is needed, the gaps in the law, the small victories. That’s my motivation.”
Her advice to parents is simple. “Take it one day at a time. Ask for the services you need, whether it’s more time with a nurse to explain medical terms, or counseling for your family. The key is moving forward without secrecy or shame.”
Talking to parents of intersex kids shows me exactly where change is needed, the gaps in the law, the small victories. That’s my motivation.
Looking ahead
So what does success look like in the next five years? Kitty is clear. “Complete protection of intersex children’s bodily autonomy. Respect for their right not to undergo interventions they may later regret. Access to sensitive, informed health care. And strong peer-support networks so no parent has to face this alone.”
For more: