Hanne Gaby Odiele Reveals She’s Intersex to ‘Break the Taboo’

Model Hanne Gaby Odiele revealed that she’s intersex in an interview with USA Today published on Monday, January 23.

“It is very important to me in my life right now to break the taboo,” the 28-year-old model from Kortrijk, Belgium, explained to the paper about her decision to come out. “At this point, in this day and age, it should be perfectly all right to talk about this.”

According to the Intersex Society of North America, intersex individuals are born with sex characteristics such as genitals or chromosomes that do not fit the typical definitions of male or female. According to the United Nations, up to 1.7% of the population is born with intersex traits and a majority of intersex kids undergo surgery without their consent.

The blonde, who also shared her story on Instagram on Monday, January 23, has teamed up with the non-profit organization, InterACT Advocates for Intersex Youth, with the hope that she can help raise awareness about being intersex.

“Today might be one of the most important days in my life, I've decide to announce with you all I'm #intersex, read my story in USA Today,” Odiele wrote in an Instagram caption. “I want to bring awareness and put to light the irreversible Unnecessary non consent surgeries we often go trough as kids.”

Odiele told USA Today that she's "proud to be intersex," but that she's “very angry that these surgeries are still happening.”