The title of the report gains full meaning when listening to the stories of Silke, Camino, and D., who today dare to reveal the physical and emotional scars that have marked their lives—trajectories crossed by medical silence, family omissions, and truths uncovered far too late. Their voices show that intersex identities exist everywhere, “beating until they can finally be lived, recognised, and claimed.”

Pérez submitted to the competition a condensed and literary version of her Bachelor’s Final Project, supervised by Journalism Professor María Iranzo Cabrera, developed as a multimedia report and awarded the highest distinction. Her research delves into the forms of violence faced by intersex people from birth, as well as the lack of political, legal, and educational recognition that hinders their full social inclusion. The work also highlights the limited presence of intersex narratives in the cultural sphere, a deficit that reinforces their invisibility.

In her remarks after receiving the award, Pérez emphasises that the prize “does not only acknowledge my writing, but above all the voices that appear in it.” The journalist notes that the interviewees entrusted her with intimate and vulnerable stories, confident that they would be told with rigour and sensitivity. “It recognises that their experiences are valid and that we must work to ensure they feel integrated in society and receive the support needed to avoid the abuses that still occur today,” she explains.

An intersectional perspective

The author believes that the richness of the report lies in the diversity of profiles, ages, and backgrounds that shape a complex view of intersexuality, “beyond the limited data available.” “These are human experiences that often go unnoticed. Very few people know what it means to be intersex, and even fewer know about the abuses they face,” she says. The text also incorporates an intersectional perspective that considers how these experiences vary according to gender, racialised background, or age.

For Pérez, this work is framed within a conception of feminist journalism that examines the structural and political issues affecting women and LGTBIQ+ people. “No matter how much progress we seem to have made, we still live in a patriarchal and endo-heteronormative society. That is why it is essential to keep telling these stories,” she asserts. The journalist also stresses the importance of handing over the microphone to those who live these realities: “It is not about speaking for them, but about giving them the space to speak and accompanying them so they can tell their truths.”

The award is given by the feminist magazine Pikara Magazine and the Pikara Magazine Women Journalists Association. This is the second edition of the award and is linked to the Feminist Journalism Congress that the magazine is holding in Bilbao.

Through this recognition, the University of Valencia highlights the academic excellence of its students and its commitment to a form of journalism capable of making inequalities visible, promoting rights, and contributing to a more just and inclusive society.