Open Letter from Daniel Bayless

March 5, 2003

Dear LGBTI Family and Allies,

Those of you who attended the conference “Coming Home Queer” at UCR recently will most likely remember Thea Hillman and her amazing presentations at “How Intersex Makes Good Dinner Conversation” and the Empowerment Brunch. Thea has proved to be an inspiration to me. Because of her courage I found my own strength and decided to come out as Intersex during her workshop. It was a powerful moment for me since it was the first time I told a large group of people about the surgeries I endured as a child. I only recently discovered that I have an Intersex condition though I have lived my whole life with its repercussions and consequences.

I am now ready to do more for this painfully silent and unknown community to which I belong. Many of our campuses are dealing with issues related to Intersex but may not have someone to voice personal experiences. That is what I am writing to offer: My help in aiding your campus. Even though my term as Student Chair is coming to an end soon, I would love to do what I can in the fight for gender-free or “family” bathrooms, Intersex education, and ending the shame and secrecy that each Intersex person holds onto. Whether it is speaking to a group, helping put on a program, or organizing an activity, I want to help.

Intersex people are out there, and may not even know it. Hopefully others will have the strength to come out as Intersex since we are not alone and the support is now available to us. Please feel free to contact me at any time with any questions, comments, requests, or whatever.

This has been an eventful year for us. The conference at UC Riverside was absolutely fabulous and our Resource Centers continue to make progress despite adversity from others and proposed money cutbacks. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible here at UC Davis on April 5th for the next UCLGBTIA Steering Committee meeting!

With Love,
Daniel Bayless

LGBT Community Intern
UC Davis LGBT Resource Center
(530) 752-2452
*UCLGBTIA – Student Chair, 2002-2003
dobayless@ucdavis.edu