Chase, Cheryl

Cheryl Chase is the pen name of Bo Laurent. Laurent was born on August 14, 1956, in Manville, New Jersey. She is known for being an American intersex activist. In 1993, she founded the Intersex Society of North America (ISNA) using the name Cheryl Chase. ISNA was focused primarily on medical reform of care for children, but also served as a support group for adults. In 1997, she produced Hermaphrodites Speak!, the first documentary film featuring individuals with intersex conditions speaking openly about their personal experiences.

[Page 242]In 1998, Laurent wrote an amicus curiae brief (a “friend of the court” brief) for the Colombian constitutional court, which was then considering a ruling on surgery for a 6-year-old boy. In 2000, ISNA was honored with the ...