WAS: Defending Rights.

Advancing Justice.

View this email in your browser Dear WAS Members and Friends, As we begin a new month, we reflect on powerful global moments shaping Sexual Health and Rights—from affirming the visibility of trans communities to expanding frameworks for Sexual Justice and spotlighting critical conversations ahead of our 27th Congress. This week's newsletter brings you: ✔ International Trans Day of Visibility – Our global commitment to gender-diverse rights and healthcare ✔ April WAS Webinar – A powerful global dialogue on Sexual Justice ✔ Accommodation options for #WAS2025 – Book early to secure exclusive rates ✔ Conversations around genital autonomy   International Trans Day of Visibility: Standing for Trans Rights in a Time of Backlash March 31 marked International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV)—a global moment to honor the resilience, contributions, and brilliance of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse people. TDOV is not just about recognition—it's about resistance. As anti-trans policies and rhetoric escalate in many parts of the world, this day serves as a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the rights, dignity, and healthcare of trans and gender-diverse communities. WAS stands in unwavering solidarity with trans people everywhere. Alongside our regional federation, the European Federation for Sexology (EFS), we reaffirm our Joint Statement on Transgender Healthcare, issued in 2024. In that statement, WAS and EFS: ✔ Condemn anti-trans activism that jeopardizes healthcare access and safety. ✔ Call for adherence to ICD-11 and WPATH SOC-8 recommendations. ✔ Demand the elimination of conversion therapy practices targeting trans and gender-diverse individuals. ✔ Assert that Sexual Justice must include gender-affirming care for those who seek it. "Everyone has the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications in relation to sexuality and sexual health." — WAS Declaration on Sexual Rights, Article 8 As global attention turns to growing discrimination against trans communities—including recent U.S. executive orders that limit trans rights in education, healthcare, and public life—WAS joins the international call to build power and solidarity across generations and across movements. Read the WAS & EFS Joint Statement on Transgender Healthcare Free WAS Webinar: Sexual Justice—Why Now? Thursday, April 17, 2025 What does sexual justice look like in the world today—and why does it matter more than ever? Join us for a powerful global conversation moderated by Alain Giami, WAS Vice President and Chair of the Sexual Justice Initiative. This webinar will explore the philosophical foundations, national struggles, digital landscapes, and clinical realities shaping the sexual rights movement today. Together, six international thought leaders will reflect on how we define, demand, and deliver sexual justice in their regions and beyond. Featured Speakers: ✔ Alain Giami (France): Why Sexual Justice Now? ✔ Ricardo Hernández Forcada (Mexico): Philosophical Elements of Sexual Justice ✔ Agata Loewe (Poland): Sexual Justice in Practice ✔ Denise Medico, Ph.D. (Canada/Switzerland): Sexual Justice & Clinical Sexology ✔ Stefano Eleuteri, Ph.D. (Italy): Sexuality in Jail: A Difficult Application ✔ Zahra Stardust (Australia): Sexual Justice and Platform Governance  This webinar draws on the WAS Declaration on Sexual Justice, launched at the 2023 Congress in Türkiye and now available in four languages. Read the Declaration here.   Register Now and be part of this critical global dialogue Plan Your Stay for WAS 2025 Accommodation now open – Book before 11 May! With #WAS2025 fast approaching, now is the time to secure your accommodation. WAS delegates can access exclusive conference rates at a selection of hotels near the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. Bookings must be made through the registration portal. If you've already registered and would like to add or amend accommodation, please email: wasconference@ashm.org.au Rydges South Bank ⭐ 0.2km from BCEC 🛏 Queen Room – AUD $299/night 🍳 Breakfast: $42pp/day CLLIX Brisbane One (Min. 3 nights) ⭐ 0.7km from BCEC 🛏 1BR – AUD $259/night | 2BR – AUD $329/night 🚗 Includes parking | 🚫 No breakfast option Hotel Indigo Brisbane ⭐ 1.2km from BCEC 🛏 King Room – AUD $215/night 🍳 Breakfast: $25pp/day voco Brisbane City Centre ⭐ 1.0km from BCEC 🛏 City View Room – AUD $165/night 🍳 Breakfast: $35pp/day ibis Styles Brisbane ⭐ 1.0km from BCEC 🛏 Standard Queen – AUD $195/night 🍳 Breakfast: $25pp/day View all WAS 2025 accommodation details here Upholding Genital Autonomy: A Core Sexual Right In line with WAS's mission to uphold sexual rights and bodily integrity, we recognize the importance of open, evidence-based and ethical conversations about genital autonomy. One of our member organizations, Intact America, has established Foreskin Day, observed annually on April 4, to raise awareness and encourage dialogue around bodily integrity. This initiative aims to: ✔ Challenge stigma and misconceptions surrounding the foreskin ✔ Advocate for informed decision-making and consent-based care ✔ Promote education about the structure and function of the foreskin ✔ Honour the work of activists and educators advancing genital autonomy At WAS, we affirm that genital autonomy is a fundamental sexual right. This also includes: ✔ Protecting intersex children from non-consensual, medically unnecessary surgeries unless such interventions are required for immediate health concerns; ✔ Advocating for the end of female genital cutting (FGC) through rights-based, culturally sensitive approaches; ✔ Recognizing the right of consenting adults to make autonomous decisions about their bodies, including voluntary genital modification or enhancement. WAS continues to support initiatives that promote bodily integrity, autonomy, and respectful, inclusive sexual health practices for all. Webinar Highlight: Gender Affirmation & Fertility Preservation Seminario S.I.R.U.: Percorsi di affermazione di genere e preservazione della fertilità   3 April 2025 | 17:00–19:00 (CET) Organized by WAS Member Organization GIS Preservazione e donazione dei gameti – S.I.R.U. This upcoming Italian-language webinar will explore gender affirmation pathways and fertility preservation. It brings together legal, psychological, and clinical perspectives to address the reproductive needs and rights of transgender and gender-diverse individuals. Speakers include: Maurizio Bini, Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad, Maria Paola Costantini, Erica Scarel, and others. Hosted in Italian with bilingual materials available.   Register here Thank you for standing with us in promoting Sexual Health, Rights, Justice, and Pleasure—for all, everywhere. We look forward to seeing you online on April 17, and in-person this June at WAS 2025 in Brisbane. The World Association for Sexual Health   Upcoming WAS 2025 Deadlines: Accommodation Bookings: 17 May 2025 Standard Registration: 30 May 2025 Click here to visit the WAS website Not on our mailing list yet? Sign up here! Support the Mission of WAS We invite you to support the ongoing work of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS). Your contributions help us continue our mission of promoting Sexual Health, Rights, and Justice globally. Consider becoming a supporting member or making a financial contribution today. Donations are tax-deductible in the USA. Donate Here Copyright © 2025 World Association for Sexual Health (WAS), All rights reserved. You are receiving this newsletter because you have previously expressed interest in our content by opting in on our website or through participation in one of our online events, such as our monthly webinars. We're committed to keeping you informed with the latest updates and insights. WAS Executive Officers Elna Rudolph (President), Alain Giami (Vice President), Luis Perelman (Secretary-General) WAS Executive Director René de Klerk, exec@worldsexualhealth.net, +27 60 864 8429 Our mailing address is: World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) 1300 South 2nd Street Suite 180 West Bank Office Building Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.