ID: what is intersex?
The term “intersex” is used to describe an individual whose chromosomes, hormones, or sexual organs are not in line with the perceived male/female sex binary.
SEX is not binary.
SEX is a spectrum.
Sex is determined by a doctor upon birth using the following guidelines: (according to the infant’s genitals):
Bellow is a graphic of a ruler, labelled “Phall-O-Meter”, from left to right:
The first, slim section is pink and marked with a female symbol, to the left it says: “it’s a girl! (under 3/8 inch)”
The second section, 3 times larger than the first, is purple and marked with an X, underneath it says: “unacceptable! Babies with “ambiguous genitals” often undergo inhumane, dangerous, and un- necessary surgeries to “normalize” their genitals, many times without parental consent!”
The final and largest section is 6 times larger than the first, is blue and marked with a male symbol, to the right it says: “it’s a boy! (over 1 inch)”
Under the graphic the text continues:
INTERSEX PEOPLE…
are about as common as redheads!
can have any sexual orientation or gender identity.
should never be called “hermaphrodites.”
should have their privacy respected.
should not have to be ashamed of their bodies.
deserve to be treated like anybody else.
Bellow is a row of 5 stick figures ranging from blue to pink and from wearing trousers to skirt, to represent the gender spectrum.
INTERSEX AWARENESS DAY // October 26
sources: isna.org, actuallyintersex.tumblr.com, sexandgender.net, apcdaily.wordpress.com
How do you ensure the hospital doesn’t perform normalization surgery?
I have not been in this position myself (though I have unfortunately delt with doctors who don’t see the patient as anyone worth listening to) so this is just my personal inexperienced opinion - do your best to make it as clear as possible from the get go (and put in writing in your file) that you do not consent to such procedures, ask your doctor if it’s something they would do and leave them if they say yes. While in hospital after the birth make sure one of the parents (or guardians, or another trusted relative or friend) is always with the baby, so they can’t be taken away and operated on. If possible and you feel an imminent threat - leave the hospital early (with the baby, of course!).
This isn’t to say that the people who did have their children operated on without consent didn’t do that, or did something wrong, or that doing these things would guarantee your baby’s safety, but there’s only so much you can do when faced with a medical team that doesn’t care about patient wishes or consent.