Intersex People
These are people who are born with variations of reproductive anatomy, including atypical genitals, atypical sex hormone-producing organs, atypical responses to sex hormones, atypical genetic make-up, and atypical secondary sex markers. While intersex people may face several problems, in the “developed world,” the most pressing are the ongoing intersex genital mutilations, which present a distinct and unique issue constituting significant human rights violations.
Medical procedures and bodily autonomy
Intersex individuals present a bodily diversity that has always been there, and there is nothing new about being intersex.
Each and every person has and retains the right to make consensual medical decisions while having informed consent as to what happens to their bodies. Each and every person has the right to access the healthcare that they need.
Intersex people are frequently subjected to forced medical interventions that can cause irreversible psychological and physical harm. These procedures intend to make one conform to rigid societal stereotypes before they are even able to make a decision on their gender identity or sexual orientation.
This violates their right to expression as they grow into adults whose bodies are surgically modified to conform to societal norms and not their own sense of self. The benefits of these procedures are not yet proven, and most of the time there are no health considerations at stake. In fact, research has shown that the surgery itself causes physical harm and emotional distress that is often irreversible. Assigning a kid’s sex doesn’t require any form of surgery.
Let us come together and build a community that strives to be inclusive, respects and protects the rights of diverse bodies.
Intersex rights are human rights.
Intersex Genital Mutilation (IGM)
IGM practices are non-consensual, medically unnecessary, irreversible, cosmetic genital surgeries, and/or other harmful medical procedures based on prejudice that would not be considered for “normal” children, without evidence of benefit for the children concerned. Typical forms of IGM include “masculinizing” and “feminizing,” “corrective” genital surgery, “sterilization” procedures, the imposition of hormones, forced genital exams, vaginal dilations, medical display, human experimentation, and the denial of needed health care.
IGM practises cause known lifelong severe physical and mental pain and suffering, including loss or impairment of sexual sensation, painful scarring, painful intercourse, incontinence, urethral strictures, impairment or loss of reproductive capabilities, lifelong dependency on artificial hormones, significantly elevated rates of self-harming behaviour and suicidal tendencies, lifelong mental suffering and trauma, increased sexual anxieties, less sexual activity, and dissatisfaction with functional and aesthetic results.
How to be allies to the intersex community?
Make sure you educate yourself. Intersex people come from all walks of life, which means that each intersex person is unique. So do research and learn more about them from the various perspectives that are available. Don’t assume you can tell if someone is intersex.
Use language that is intersex-inclusive. While making “sex” fields on forms and surveys, ensure that you add “intersex” as a sex option. Avoid the gendering of body parts such as “female genitalia.” Also, it would be kind of you to ask them how they would like to be referred to in terms of their pronouns and gender identity.
Speak out against any hospital performing infant genital mutilation when any of the sex organs are ambiguous.
Educate your local community and peers. This can be accomplished by ensuring that sex education is inclusive of intersex people.
Report all anti-intersex harassment and discrimination to the proper legal authorities.
Understand that intersex people are individual human beings who deserve respect and understanding.
Resources
Intersex Media Guide
For members of the media looking to cover intersex topics.
INTERACT: ADVOCATES FOR INTERSEX YOUTH
Videos
What's it like to be intersex? by As/Is
What Does Intersex Mean? by InQueery & them.
Understanding Intersex by Intersex Philippines
What is intersex? intersexperiences by Emilord
Doctors Still Do Harmful Surgeries on Intersex Kids
Disclaimer: Please note no copyright infringement is intended and as EATHAN we do not own nor claim to own the videos used here.
The History of the Intersex Flag
The intersex flag has a yellow background and a purple circle in the center.
The concept of the flag was created by an intersex person in 2013. The author, Morgan Carpenter, explains it as follows: “The flag consists of a yellow background with a purple circle emblem.” Colors and circles completely avoid the use of symbols that have anything to do with gender. For example, the trans flag is highlighted in blue and pink binary.
The circle is continuous and ornamented; it symbolises wholeness, completeness, and our capabilities. “We are still fighting for body autonomy and genital integrity, and that symbolises the right to be who we want to be.”
