Intersex Joy: Resilience Beyond the
Operating Room
Meredith “Mx” Byars (they/them/theirs) is a dedicated advocate and speaker for intersex and queer liberation, with a decade of experience championing these causes and a lifetime of lived experience. Byars has provided workshops and talks for colleges, universities, hospitals, and government buildings across the United States. Their passion for equity and inclusion extends beyond advocacy; Byars is committed to working with and uplifting diverse populations, including children, seniors, and low-resource communities.
Byars has significantly contributed to educational spaces, most notably at Magic City Acceptance Academy in Alabama, which is dedicated to students who have dropped out, are not thriving in traditional schools, or are enrolled in home-school programs. This is the first public school in the United States to have “LGBTQ-affirming” in the mission statement. At MCAA, Byars curated a two-floor library and designed and developed school common areas from the ground up, complete with resources that affirm, represent, and empower even the most unique students.
When returning to their hometown in Alabama, Byars noticed drag kings and other drag performers missing out on opportunities to perform and gain experience because their drag was unique. Byars began networking and producing shows like “Tomboy” and “Oops! All Kings” in Birmingham, AL. These are among the few drag shows in the United States designed specifically to prioritize kings and nonbinary performers.
Byars spends their free time producing alternative drag shows, reading Fantasy books, and playing outside with their nephew and 11-year-old terrier. Byars loves to help others embody their resilience by facilitating trauma and SEL-informed yoga. They hope to use their experience in research, wellness, and outreach in their pursuit of a PhD in Psychology.