tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78399784140007233062024-03-12T19:10:06.012-07:00Intersex and the CityI'm writing this blog to provide information about intersexuality and to support for the intersex community.
Also Check out my Twitter Account @intersexthecity I'd love to hear from you!Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-79082111246587966702015-01-04T15:31:00.002-08:002015-01-04T15:31:57.894-08:00I is for Identity Politics<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello all. For my
first post of 2015, I am going back to blogging through ye old alphabet. Today I is for identity politics. Identity politics are how identifying with a
specific category of people might shape your political views. Identity politics are often associated with minorities
and left wing politics (ex: feminism, race and civil rights, the disability
movement, gay rights, class struggles, etc.).
Identity politics works by minority influence. This is when a minority gets the majority to
see things to see things their way. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The term identity politics was created in the 1970’s for
consciousness raising. It is a way to
show people how their personal hardships are created due to their being part of
a discriminated group. It has been very controversial. Many people, like historian Arthur Schlesinger
Jr. say the only way to help minorities is to move them toward full acceptance
and integrate them into the mainstream.
They say identity politics causes social fractures and make minorities
stand out more. Others say mainstream
culture is too intolerant for total integration, and multicultural pluralism is
a more realistic target. There is also
debate, especially within LGBT activism is to what degree their identity is an essential
aspect of those people, or a culturally created category they chose on some
level. I am not going to dignify those who call homosexuality a choice with with a response, but I do agree that the cause of an identity is relevant in identity politics.</div>
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The intersex movement is a great example of identity politics. Removed from all sociopolitical context we
are talking about several different medical conditions. Ironically it was our treatment by the medical
community that was what gave us common grounds to form an identity. This realization of our shared experience was
the consciousness raising event that allowed us to find our voice and started
the movement. We have been using these
experiences to gain mainstream support for over two decades now. It is likely that if intersex people were
hidden, but not operated on, there would be no intersex movement. We would be entirely unknown to the
mainstream and would all think we were the only one like us, and that would be
tragic. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-60664086774734001802014-12-18T15:39:00.002-08:002014-12-18T15:39:53.822-08:00Holiday Special: Is Frozen Gay Propaganda?<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello readers, this post is my holiday special. Pour yourself an eggnog, cozy up by the fire,
and listen as I regale you with a tale that is wintery, queer, and kind of
funny. The story of the latest
propaganda for the gay agenda, a little movie called <u>Frozen</u>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyone with young children has almost certainly seen <u>Frozen</u>,
probably more times than they can count. Kevin Swanson, a pastor of the Reformation
Church and host of a religious radio show in Colorado, called <u>Frozen</u> “very evil”
and Disney is “one of the most pro-homosexual organizations in the country.” Swanson’s rant was inspired by a National Catholic
Register blog post written by film critic Steven Greydanus titled “So, How Gay
is <u>Frozen</u>.” This post says Elsa’s lack
of a male suitor implies lesbianism and the song Let it Go where Elsa learns to
accept herself and her powers is a coming out metaphor. He also says Anna wanting an immediate
wedding to Prince Hans, who she just met, implies that straight people are
harming marriage. The post continues to
claim that Kristoff’s relationship with his reindeer Sven is borderline bestiality. This accusation of <u>Frozen</u> as being propaganda
seems to have started with the blog A Well Behaved Mormon Women, written by
Kathryn Skaggs who wrote extensively about it.
When asked about these gay accusations, director Jennifer Lee only said “I
feel like once we hand the film over, it belongs to the world, so I don't like
to say anything, and let the fans talk. I think it's up to them." <o:p></o:p></div>
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Many movies, books and TV shows aver the years have been accused of spreading a gay agenda, <u>Frozen</u> is just the latest. Here is my take on this ridiculous “nontorversy.” Self-acceptance is something every healthy
well-adjusted person must attain. The
search for self-acceptance by a misfit is the theme of more books, movies, and
TV shows than I could ever name; most of which are not accused of being gay propaganda. Being single does not mean
one is a closeted homosexual. Thus, Elsa
is not necessarily a lesbian, just single and well-adjusted. I feel that drunken Las Vegas weddings,
AshleyMadison.com, and super short celebrity marriages (I’m looking at you Kim
Kardashian) all cheapen marriage and are produced by and for straight
people. That being said, the vast
majority of straight people take their vows far more seriously than this, and
gay people could do similar, tacky things.
Therefore, I think Anna wanting an immediate marriage to a stranger should
be seen as youthful overenthusiasm, not an indictment against heterosexual
relationships, most of which are serious, loving and committed. As for Kristoff and his reindeer, I can’t
comment about that. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Whatever holiday you celebrate, I hope you all have a great
one. Be merry and remember not to listen
to crazy people on the internet (sometime that includes me). <u>Frozen</u> is a great movie, it reminds me of
Pixar, pre-Cars. If your kids get squirrely
during the festivities, I totally recommend putting it on for them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Merry Christmas To All And To All A Good Night </i> <o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-31637354893191257622014-11-30T13:55:00.000-08:002014-11-30T13:55:00.669-08:00rights of high school transgender athletes in Minnesota<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I am writing about an issue that is happening in my
home state of Minnesota (I will continue blogging my way through the alphabet
later). On October 1, the Minnesota
State High School League postponed voting on whether transgender high school
athletes should be able to train and compete on the team who’s gender they
identify as until December. This
prompted two fear mongering ads saying “males” would be showering with “girls”
and the girls (who obviously can’t keep up with these “males”) would lose out
on sports scholarships.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have written about the issue of intersex people at the Olympics
several times on this blog. The issue
that everything boils down to is perceived physical advantages males (or
intersex people) have over women in sports.
First of all this is very sexist, the marathon finishing time for men
and women in closing every year (women’s fat distribution makes them better equipped
for distance running, and allegedly men hold back to protect their genitals
from getting bounced around too much). If
we take gender out of the picture we realize all sports have physical features
that make them easier. For example,
being taller is an advantage in basketball, and being lighter is an advantage
in ski jumping. Being intersex is not
really an advantage, AIS women have less testosterone then ciswomen. These advantages or disadvantages are in both
men and women’s sports, why can’t transgender and intersex people be seen as
another variation with its own advantages and disadvantages? </div>
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As for locker room problems, that is
something transgender people have been struggling with for ages. Perhaps a separate locker room for them would
make all parties more comfortable? I
honestly don’t know, but I do know that transgender people have a lot more to
fear from a public restroom then cisgender people who might encounter a
transgender person there. In any case,
implying a rape threat by saying a “male” is showering with your high school
daughter is blatant fear mongering. As a
side note, it usually works the other way.
The few cases of transgender high school athletes have been transmen,
not transwomen.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope the state I call home makes the right decision and
stands up for transgender rights.
Everyone should have the right to compete, or at least try out for, the
team they are comfortable with. There
are many cases of women competing on the men’s high school sports teams. If we put aside our transphobia, we will
realize this is not a difficult issue to solve.
<o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-603229596709075812014-11-25T11:37:00.001-08:002014-11-25T11:37:58.875-08:00Possible Historical Intersex Person: Queen Christina of Sweden<div class="MsoNormal">
I mentioned earlier that I wanted to write more about
historical intersex people. Today, as a
buffer between H and I, I am writing about Queen Christina of Sweden, who was
possibly intersex.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She was born in 1626 in Stockholm, the only heir to King
Gustav II. When she was born she was
initially announced around the palace to be a male, this was quickly corrected,
but certainly fuels the suspicion that she was intersex. They say she was hairy and had a strong, coarse
voice for a newborn. </div>
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As the heir
presumptive, she received a “princely education” including masculine activities
such as fencing, archery, hunting and horsemanship. She took to these activities with great
enthusiasm. By all accounts she was
quite the tomboy. She often wore men’s
clothing and was said to walk and ride like a man and curse like a sailor. In her autobiography she wrote that that she
had “an insurmountable distaste for all the things that females talked about
and did” again fueling the argument she was intersex.<o:p></o:p></div>
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At the age of 16 she became queen of Sweden at in 1632 when
her father died in battle. Her court and
advisors strongly pushed her to marry to create a political alliance and
produce a clear heir to the throne. She
was very opposed to the idea, claiming to have “an insurmountable distaste for
marriage.” This continued to fuel rumors
at the time that she was a hermaphrodite or at least a lesbian. She named her cousin Charles Gustav her
successor, but this did not reduce the pressure. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The pressure to marry grew to the point where she abdicated
in 1654, at age 22, making Charles king.
She converted to Catholicism, a religion she long admired and may have
fueled her abdication since Sweden was fiercely Lutheran. She moved to Rome and joined the court of
Pope Alexander VII, who was thrilled to host her, believing Sweden might
convert with her. She lived in Rome
until her death in 1689 at age 62. She
is one of the few women buried in the Vatican vaults.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Because of the strong rumors about her being
intersex, she was exhumed in 1965 to see if they could find any conclusive
evidence. Anthropologist Carl-Herman
Hjortsjö lead the investigation. He admitted
that “Our imperfect knowledge concerning the effect of intersexuality on the
skeletal formation makes it impossible to decide which positive skeletal
findings should be demanded upon which to base the diagnosis of intersexuality.” That being said he concluded the skeleton was
typically female. Was she intersex? She might have been. Some historians speculate that she had polycystic
ovarian syndrome which has many symptoms including hirsutism and possibly even Aspergers,
leading to a disregard for social norms. In any case she was certainly a gender
nonconformist and an interesting historical figure</span>Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-8765451991857421872014-11-13T18:58:00.000-08:002014-11-13T18:58:00.361-08:00H is for Homosexuality<div class="MsoNormal">
Today H is for homosexuality. I have written about the relationship between
homosexuality and intersex before, but it is complicated, so a refresher is in
order. If you believe sexual orientation
is dependent on biological sex (it’s not) then by definition you would have to
believe all intersex people are bisexual (they aren’t).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Society lumps intersex together with the LGBT community all
the time. This is sometimes done by
straight cisgender people (the few who know about intersex) who don’t recognize
the differences and nuanced varieties of sex and gender. Other times this lumping is done by LGBT
activists who see us as having a common interest in fighting for sex and gender
variance. This automatic lumping, though
usually well intended, is somewhat ignorant.
Many intersex people consider themselves to be straight, and live in
seemingly heterosexual relationships. They
often do not want to be associated with the LGBT movement or sexual politics.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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That being said, gays and intersex people have a lot in
common. We both face discrimination based
on sexual and gender norms. Homosexuals,
transgender people, intersex people, genderqueer or any gender nonconforming
people, would do well to band together.
Even if they do not identify as gay, intersex people are still
discriminated against and mutilated.
Their issues and concerns overlap with gay and transgender issues to the
point they make natural allies.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sexual orientation and biological sex are separate issues. Homosexuality depends, by definition, on
biological sex categories. Gay and
straight relationships, by definition, require people to identify as men and
women, you can’t have a same sex relationship if there are no socially
recognized sexes. The same is true of
intersex. Intersex wouldn’t exist as a
social group that deviates from male and female if those groups didn’t exist. Our social catagories were just made to
define us as separate from the mainstream. Can an intersex person be gay (or
straight)? That depends on their gender
identity and sexual orientation, I think they can, but some might disagree with
me, it’s all a matter of identity and definition. <o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-56975859207064802942014-11-11T09:22:00.000-08:002014-11-11T09:22:00.102-08:00H is for Herculine Barbin<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been wanting to cover more historical people who are
intersex, so today H is for Herculine Barbin.
Most of what we know about Barbin’s tragic life comes from her memoirs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Herculine Barbin was
born in Saint-Jean-d’Angley France in 1838.
She (pronouns will change throughout this story) was raised female. Her family was poor but sent her to study at
a convent school on a charity scholarship.
She had a crush on a girl there are and was punished for going into her
room. In puberty she never menstruated
and remained flat chested. In 1857 at
the age of 17 she graduated and went to Le Chateau to become a teacher. A year later she got a job as a assistant
teacher at a girls school. She fell in
love with one of the teachers there, Sara, and the two had an affair.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Barbin was often ill and suffered excrutiating pain. She had talked about her condition in
confession. She asked the Bishop of La
Rochelle, Jean-Francios-Ann Landriot for permission to break the silence of the
confessional to see a doctor. Doctor Chesnet
examined her in 1860 was shocked to discover she had a small vagina, small
penis and internal testicles.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A judge made a legal decision to declare Barbin officially
male, with the name Abel Barbin. This
made the news in some of the French papers.
He (told you the pronouns would change, this is how it is in the memoirs)
left Sara and the girls school and moved to Paris and lived there in poverty. There he wrote these memoirs, reputedly as a
part of therapy. Obviously very
depressed the memoirs say he felt punished, disinherited and subject to a “ridiculous
inquisition”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In 1868, at the age of 30, Barbin was found dead. He had committed suicide by inhaling gas from
his coal gas stove. The memoirs were
found beside his bed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Herculine Barbin is a very important figure in the intersex
movement. The memoirs were rediscoverd
by sociologist and gender theorist Michael Foucault who published them is
1980. The French film <i>The Mystery of Alexina</i> and the play <i>Herculine</i> are based on her life. She also is a character in the plays<i> A Mouthful of Birds </i>by Caryl Churchill
and David Lan and <i>Hidden: a Gender </i>by
Kate Bornstein. The books <i>Middlesex</i> by Jeffery Eugenides and <i>Orlando</i> by Virginia Woolf were inspired
by the memoirs. Her birthday, November
8, is the international Intersex Day of Rememberance.<o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-66539870340494481262014-11-06T14:39:00.002-08:002014-11-06T14:39:23.634-08:00H is for Hermaphrodite<div class="MsoNormal">
Our first word is hermaphrodite (no surprise there,
right?). A hermaphrodite is an organism
with male and female reproductive organs.
Many animals are hermaphroditic species like earthworms, snails,
starfish etc. Most flowering plants are
also hermaphroditic. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Historically intersex conditions were classified as either
true hermaphrodites (with a mix of ovarian and testicular tissue, or an ovary
and a testicle) or pseudohermaphrodites (all other intersex conditions). This has obviously fallen out of favor for
the term intersex. This is a good
nomenclature switch since humans are not a hermaphroditic species. There are no intersex conditions that result
in a body that is reproductively functional as a male and female. As I mentioned in my ambiguous genitalia
post, more masculine genitals mean less feminine and vice versa, you don’t get
both in humans.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have to admit, I sometimes use the word hermaphrodite to
describe myself to others. I realize
this is controversial. Many intersex
people consider the word hermaphrodite offensive, or at least not PC. Others
use it as a term of empowerment. I find
it makes a good shorthand for people who have never heard of intersex. They already have some idea what
hermaphrodite means, thus shortening what would be a lengthy explanation. Am I right to do this? Am I being offensive or is it ok to shorten
explanations in a way people will better understand? Do you call yourself a hermaphrodite? I would love to hear your opinions. <o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-21156405484461144872014-11-04T09:12:00.001-08:002014-11-04T09:12:01.524-08:00Feminism and Intersex<div class="MsoNormal">
Today is an election.
As such I have decided to write a political buffer between G and H on
feminism. I forgot to cover it in the F’s. Feminism and intersex have an odd and
complicated relationship. I will cover
as many of the facets of it as I can.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The kind of feminist that must be reviewed is the TERF, that’s
trans exclusionary radicle feminist.
TERFs don’t believe in including trans people in feminist organizations,
women’s spaces or discussions on sexism.
They actively exclude transwomen from many of their organizations, most
famously the Michigan Womyns Music Festival.
They are cis women but call themselves “women born women” and consider “TERF”
and “cis” to be slurs. They believe sex
cannot be changed. Thus transwomen are
men who are trying to infiltrate their spaces and transmen are women who suffer
from Stockholm Syndrome from the patriarchy.
TERFs also strongly believe in socialization. Boys are raised to dominate women and girls
are raised to accept this and call it femininity. They transwomen are still trying to dominate
women by forcing TERFs to accept their gender identity, use women’s bathrooms
etc. Also if they still have their penis
that makes them dangerous since penises are rape weapons. Most importantly TERFs believe that anyone born
and socialized as a male is privledged and has not experienced sexism and
cannot fully understand feminism. Like
most transphobic people, TERFS claim intersex is just a medical condition and
too small a minority to factor in the debate.
There are transfeminists and gender critical feminists who counter this
by saying intersex proves sex is a spectrum.
They also point out that socialization varies considerably. Most importantly they point out transgender
people are discriminated against far more than ciswomen. They even go so far as to say this
discrimination against transwomen comes from a hatred and fear of femininity so
in a roundabout way they do experience sexism. This is controversial. TERFs claim the term “cis” implies having a
female body is a privilege over trans people.
This is obviously not true. A
female body is not an advantage in society.
But recognizing trans and intersex people are also discriminated against
does not mean cis women are not. The only
intersex supportive thing the TERFs offer is that they are opposed to surgeries
on intersex infants because it is mutilation and you cannot change the babies
sex anyways.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am glad there are those who are speaking out and saying
transgender people and intersex peopleare not antifeminist. In fact there are many great transfeminist
writers out there. For more I would recommend
“Whipping Girl” by Julia Serano or this excellent article at the Intersex
Roadshow blog found at: http://intersexroadshow.blogspot.com/2014/09/trans-exclusionary-radical-feminists.html<o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-61025803041871265542014-10-23T20:02:00.001-07:002014-10-23T20:02:35.248-07:00G is for Gender Roles<div class="MsoNormal">
Today G is for gender roles.
This is a very broad topic so this is a very brief overview. Gender roles are the social and behavioral
norms that women and men are expected to follow. Some cultures have three or more gender
roles. Gender roles influence most small
day to day behaviors (what clothes to wear, how to talk, etc.) as well as major
life decisions (what kind of career, if any, to have, what house chores to do
etc.). These roles are reinforced in
nearly every aspect of society and serious deviation from them is severely
discriminated against. Gender roles
often devolve into stereotypes, especially in entertainment. Gender roles are so ingrained that in same
sex couples it is still assumed that one has a more masculine role and the
other a more feminine role. A couple
without gender roles is something mainstream society just can’t fathom. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Whether these roles are inherent or socially constructed is
a matter of great debate. It is very
difficult to separate biology/psychology and culture in this case because boys
and girls are socialized very differently from birth on. A popular theory is that social norms and
expectations are created by biology (women give birth so it makes sense for
them to care for the children, for example).
The problem with this is gender norms are changing fast, especially in
the last sixty years, biology has not. Feminists
consider masculinity and femininity to be social constructs that reinforce
patriarchy by keeping women in a subservient position.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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What do gender roles have to do with intersex? That depends on who you ask. Personally, I think this is the only real social
benefit to being intersex. We (or at
least I) don’t feel constrained by gender roles. It is easy to say those norms don’t really
apply to me, why should I try to fit a
mold that will never fit me very well? Of
course some intersex people will disagree with my interpretation on gender
roles, and that’s ok. What do you
think? To what extent should intersex
people try to live a traditionally masculine or feminine gender role? <o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-4622051205890829192014-10-21T08:21:00.000-07:002014-10-21T08:21:10.932-07:00G is for Genderism<div class="MsoNormal">
Our G word for today is genderism. Genderism, like all –isms, is a biased, discriminatory worldview. Genderism is the view that there are, or
should be, only two genders and they are inherently linked to biology. This obviously reinforces
discrimination, biases, and negative attitudes towards all gender binary
nonconforming people. It is the
overarching ideology used to justify transphobia and trans-bashing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Obviously intersex people’s very existence challenges
genderism. This is a two edged sword. Because of genderism we are discriminated
against (genderist people think we are disordered and too small a minority to
be relevant to the debate), but because it is a scientific, biological
challenge, we are in a unique position to challenge genderist views. Genderist people like to argue that
transgender and binary nonconforming people are clearly insane, denying basic
anatomical facts. Thus intersex people
are especially devastating to their views.
Personally I don’t like it when intersex people are used in identity politics
debates, it disregards our identity and experiences, reducing us to a fact for
a debate. That being said I can understand
why people do this. What do you think? Leave a comment. <o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-91170199895754617762014-10-16T09:30:00.001-07:002014-10-16T09:36:56.845-07:00G is for Gender Bending<div class="MsoNormal">
Today G is for gender bending, also known as genderfuck (I
hope my readers will forgive the obscenity, I don’t name these things). A gender bender is a person on who rebels against
gender norms and expectations, usually as a form of activism against restrictive
gender roles. This is usually done by exaggerating
masculine <u>and</u> feminine traits to the level of parody. It is gender performativity at its most blatant.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The common image of gender bending is of a burly, heavy set
man with a full beard, wearing a dress, makeup and heels. Because clothing is still such a part of
gender presentation, it is usually the key part of a gender bending performance. Unlike a cross dresser or drag artist, the
goal is to confuse gender markers, not appear as the sex other than the one you
were born as. Androgynous people may be
seen as a more subtle form of gender bending, but is usually not a form of
activism. There is also a growing trend
among liberal parents to intentionally give their children toys and clothing
that are gender neutral, or toys for both genders. They are trying to prevent their children
from forming sexist preconceived notions of gender and are essentially
practicing gender bending.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think in some ways intersex is kind of a biological form
of gender bending. Intersex is not necessarily
political, but it can be, and we are often used in gender identity politics
debates. Like the gender benders, mainstream society also finds us disturbing because we transgress gender expectations. No matter our politics or identity, we force
the mainstream to rethink gender norms which is the goal of the gender bender. A world with fewer gender expectations would
certainly be good for intersex people.
Should we embrace gender bending?
Leave comments and let me know what you think. <o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-84334385007347543272014-10-14T09:51:00.003-07:002014-10-14T09:51:42.196-07:00G is for Gonads<div class="MsoNormal">
Today G is for gonads (not just for kicking anymore). Gonads are the organs that make gametes (sex
cells). In biological females these are
ovaries making eggs and in biological males these are testicles making sperm. In embryos both ovaries and testicles start
as identical gonad ridges. They only
differentiate later in development due to the SRY gene on the y chromosome
which turns the ridges into testicles.
Without that gene, they will develop into ovaries. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Depending on the specific condition they have, most intersex
people can have normal ovaries, or normal testicles. Depending
on the condition however, there are also two different ways their gonads might be
ambiguous: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
mixed gonadal dysgenesis:
usually found in mosaic Turners Syndrome cases.
Due to a combination of male and female chromosomes, the person will
have two different gonads. On one side, a
malformed undescended testicle will create testosterone leading to a male
appearing scrotum and vas deferens on that side. The other side is a streak gonad, a nonworking
gonad that is mostly fiberous tissue. On
this side a fallopian tube and malformed uterus will form (in the absence of
sex hormones the body defaults to a female form). This hormonal imbalance usually results in
ambiguous genitalia. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ovotestis: A very rare condition, formerly called “true
hermaphroditism” now called ovotesticular disorder of sexual development. This is when the gonads have a mix of ovarian
and testicular tissue in them. This
results in ambiguous genitalia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In both cases these malformed gonads have a much higher rate
of going cancerous, thus they are usually removed. <o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-79309498244975432652014-10-09T14:51:00.001-07:002014-10-09T14:51:08.455-07:00G is for Genderqueer<div class="MsoNormal">
Our first G word is genderqueer. Genderqueer is a catch all term for all non-binary
gender identities. There are five main areas
where people identify outside the binary:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~ overlapping or indefinite line between the genders (demigender,
androgynous)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~ multiple genders (bi-gender, tri-gender, pan-gender)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~ no gender/gender neutral (neutrois)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~ fluctuating between genders (gender fluid)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~ a third gender or something else all together<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because they identify outside the cisnormative binary there
are almost infinite ways genderqueer people identify and label themselves. I will get more into these specific identifications
when we get to the right letter. Genderqueer
people, like all gender non-conforming people, often face intense
discrimination and hostility in society.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How does this affect intersex people? Well, as I have said time and time again,
intersex people can and do identify many different ways, including genderqueer
identities. If you believe gender
identity is biologically derived you would expect all intersex people to be
genderqueer, and many are, but many are not. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because the cisnormative mainstream culture has trouble telling the
difference between sex and gender, and intersex and transgender, we get all
sorts of assumptions and identities forced at us, often to support, or disprove political
ideologies. It is important to be clear
about your identity and educate others about it so we don’t become a pawn in
gender politics (more on this when I get to the letter P, so keep reading as I blog my way through the alphabet). <o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-65607315239684125692014-10-07T08:09:00.002-07:002014-10-07T08:09:34.253-07:00Big News for Gay Marriage (and Intersex Rights) in America<div class="MsoNormal">
As a buffer between F and G, I am bringing you some
news. On Monday October 6, 2014 in the United
States, the Supreme Court’s inaction resulted in a great victory for gay
marriage. 11 states had court cases to
legalize gay marriage appealed to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court surprisingly chose not to
hear those cases so the rulings of the lower courts stand. Thus gay marriage is now legal in those
states. This means well over half the
states (30 to be exact) now have legalized gay marriage. It is truly a great day for civil rights in
America. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have written about gay marriage before on this blog. Unless it is legalized the legal status of
all intersex relationships will be in question.
If marriage is only between a man and a women, those who are neither,
arguably can’t get married. Even if
their relationship seems heterosexual, it could always be challenged on a
technicality. On the other hand, if you
happen to be intersex and gay, like me, then maybe you could get married on a
technicality. In either case it is unnecessarily
complicated. I hope someday soon the
last 20 states will see the error of their ways and legalize gay marriage, until
that happens, just move to another state.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Feel free to leave comments, let me know what you think of
this momentous occasion. Please keep
reading my next post as I continue to blog my way through the alphabet. <o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-46845424466843815962014-10-02T15:58:00.000-07:002014-10-02T15:58:06.385-07:00F is for Female Genital Mutilation<div class="MsoNormal">
Today F is for female genital mutilation (FGM). FGM is practiced by several ethnic groups in sub-Saharan
Africa. The World Health Organization categorizes
4 specific kinds of mutilation:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~ I. Removal of the clitoris<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~ II. Removal of the clitoris and inner labia<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~ III. Removal of the
clitoris and inner labia and sewing together of the outer labia<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~IV. Any other mutilations including pricking, piercing,
incising, scraping and cauterizing<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Variations 1 and 2 are the most common and 4 is the least
common. The reasons for FGM are
complicated. It is seen as a cultural
way to reinforce their culture and its values.
It is mainly seen as a way to ensure the women is a virgin until
marriage and to generally reduce the female libido. In many countries women are considered unmarriageable
if she is not mutilated. Most cultures
that practice FGM also see it as more hygienic.
There is also a cultural superstition that the clitoris will keep growing
into a penis like organ, or if the baby comes into contact with the clitoris
during childbirth, it will die. Cosmetic
procedures like genital piercings for jewelry, or procedures done for sexual
reassignment are not considered female genital mutilation. It is easy to say this is just blatant
misogyny and trying to control women’s sexuality, but it is important to
realize it is women who usually preform the mutilation and promote and continue
the practice. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have mentioned FGM on this blog before because it is often
compared to intersex surgery. As I see
it female genital mutilation and intersex mutilation have five major areas of
similarities: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~They are both procedures done on children far too young to
understand or consent. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~They are both done entirely for the sake of family and
social norms<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~They are both done to try to make future sexual relationships/marriage
easier but… <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~They are both done with no regard to the future sexual
enjoyment of the patient <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~They are also done with little regard to health, and often
require follow up procedures to correct “complications”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For all these reasons I feel the comparison is apt. It is easy in the western world to decry
female genital mutilations in Africa.
What we need to realize is that surprisingly similar things are being
done in our own countries. I hope
someday all nonconsensual surgeries/mutilations will stop. The only way we will get to that point is to
raise awareness and reach out to other, somewhat similar groups. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-12972813855589293972014-09-30T07:32:00.002-07:002014-09-30T07:32:32.128-07:00F is for Foreskin<div class="MsoNormal">
Today F is for Foreskin, or the removal thereof. In the United States (my home country) circumcision
for baby boys is routine and almost universal.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Medical Association
recommend it for all baby boys. For
Muslims and Jews circumcision is done for religious reasons. Secular reasons for circumcision are getting
hazier but revolve around hygiene and disease prevention, and historically, to
prevent masturbation. Phimosis (where
the foreskin does not fully retract) is the only medically therapeutic reason
for circumcision, and even then, there are nonsurgical alternatives. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The policy of non-therapeutic, non-consensual, secular circumcision
is getting quite controversial. The intactivists
(intact activists, clever!) use much of the same arguments that intersex
activists use. They claim any non-therapeutic
procedure, especially an irreversible one, cannot ethically be consented to by
anyone other than the patient. They feel
non-therapeutic, non-consensual, secular circumcision violates the baby’s
bodily integrity (sound familiar?) Some anti-circumcision
activists extend their view of bodily integrity to oppose intersex surgery and
female genital mutilation (FGM). Laws in
most western countries, including the United States, protect baby girls from FGM,
but don’t protect baby boys or intersex children.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is very controversial to compare circumcision to FGM,
once euphemistically called “female circumcision.” Circumcision does not alter sexual
functioning or overall health, FGM and intersex mutilation does. Thus I do agree that non-therapeutic,
non-consensual secular circumcision is not ethical and should be stopped. I
am also glad the anti-circumcision crowd is giving intersex issues much needed
exposure, but I disagree that the two are really comparable. <o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-23582430863840917922014-09-25T19:20:00.001-07:002014-09-26T15:40:05.632-07:00F if for Fertility <div class="MsoNormal">
Today F is for fertility.
Common wisdom is that intersex conditions render the person sterile, but
this is not entirely true. Most intersex
conditions vary considerably in where, and how much, ambiguity there is in any
specific person. Many intersex people
are sterile, but many could give birth, or father children. Often these conceptions, pregnancies, and births are quite difficult, but in some cases it is possible. Ultimately how fertile an intersex person is should be determined on a case by case basis. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frankly the common practice of removing the gonads of intersex people
sterilizes more people than the conditions themselves. To be fair, there are good reasons behind
removing the gonads. There is a good chance mixed tissue gonads will become
cancerous. This cancer risk could be monitored,
there is no need to take currently healthy organs. This unnecessary sterilization is just
further medical abuse of the intersexed.
As I mentioned earlier, many,
if not most, intersex people are sterile, or have diminished fertility. That being said, if they could become
biological parents that option should be there for them when they reach
adulthood. I believe that keeping options and choices open for the intersex patient should be the main goal for their care so they can make the right choice for them. That this is not considered a
breach of the Hippocratic Oath is astounding.<br />
<br />
Many people (especially heterosexual, cisgender people) consider reproduction a key part of their gender identity. They might consider non-consensual sterilization to be psychologically devastating. For some people it might be. I can only discuss this from my own experience. I had my gonads removed as a young child and chose to have a hysterectomy in my mid-twenties. My parents were open and honest with me growing up. As a result I grew up knowing that I was sterile and it became part of my self perception. With no basis for comparison, it is all I know, and I accept this. Honestly, to discover at this point that I could biologically have children would be far more disturbing then hearing I can't. </div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-11349408106111183832014-09-18T19:56:00.003-07:002014-09-18T19:56:55.269-07:00E is for effeminate/F is for femininity<div class="MsoNormal">
For the perfect buffer between E and F, I have a concept that can be called
by an E word or an F word, effeminacy or femininity. Both words refer to the nature, attributes,
behavior, mannerisms, style, and gender roles associated with women. When referring to a woman with these traits,
feminine is used, when referring to a man they are called effeminate. This is a very broad topic and I am bound to
leave a lot out so please bear with me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m sure you all know this, but I would be remiss if
I didn’t define and cover what is considered feminine/effeminate. What is considered feminine/effeminate depends
on social context, culture, and time (Elizabethan men wearing lace was
considered masculine, for example). That
being said, gentleness, empathy, sensitivity, caring, compassion, nurturing, deference
and sexual passiveness are usually considered feminine/effeminate personality
traits. To what extent these traits are inherent
or learned through socialization is a matter of great debate. Presentation and appearance such as long
hair, cosmetics, female clothing, and an emphasis on physical beauty are almost
always considered feminine/effeminate.
The professional feminine social role has traditionally been confined to
the home or the nurturing/helping jobs like nurses, teachers, and
secretaries. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Effeminate men are usually far
less accepted then masculine women. Effeminacy
is usually pejorative and implies passivity, and weakness, and homosexuality. Saying gay men are effeminate is inaccurate. Historically camp, drag, and swish have been
part of gay culture; but so are Castro Clones and Bears, who are decidedly masculine. Men who are interested in fashion have been
called dandies and fops but those are usually labels they call themselves whereas, others call a man effeminate. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Second wave feminists considered femininity to be an
artificial social construct to keep women subordinate and objectified since
power and authority are considered very masculine. Modern, “lipstick feminists” counter that
this devalues the feminine identity. They claim the symbols of femininity are not
inherently subjugating and can even be empowering. Julia Serano writes (and I agree) that because
society is sexist, femininity is seen through a male lens and interpreted as
being less important or frivolous. She
feels that equality of the sexes will never be achieved until femininity is
empowered rather than despised (including by some feminists). She also claims that parts of femininity and
masculinity are inherent but not biologically derived, they precede
socialization and supersede biological sex. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
What does this have to do with intersex? There are certainly feminine and masculine
intersex people. Like everyone, we have
the right to identify and live as we see fit.
If you believe gendered behavior is biologically determined you would
conclude that most intersex people must be fairly androgynous. Feminine (or
masculine) intersex people obviously disprove this. That being said, I object to intersex people
being used to prove some gender ideology, its dehumanizing. Leave comments, let me know if I missed
something important about femininity/effeminacy. <o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-49396346124275727222014-09-16T08:15:00.001-07:002014-09-16T08:15:47.280-07:00E is for Estrogen<div class="MsoNormal">
Our E word for today is estrogen. There are actually three female sex hormones
in humans, estradiol, estrone, and estriol which are all estrogens. Estradiol is the most important one and has
the physical effects commonly associated with “estrogen”. These effects are:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~ breast growth<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~changes in fat placement<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~ strengthens bones<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~ strengthens vagina and uterus<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~ lessens melanin in skin (ever notice how most men have slightly
darker skin than most women?)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~ stimulates growth of endometrium and thus causes menstruation<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~ stimulates luteinizing hormone which causes ovulation (birth
control pills cause a permanent surge of estrogen to mask this and thus prevent
ovulation)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~ works with testosterone to increase sex drive<o:p></o:p></div>
~Changes levels of serotonin and endorphins in the brain, causing the psychological and behavioral differences between men and women<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As most people know, both men and women produce estrogen in
their gonads and adrenal glands. The
balance of sex hormones is vital for a fetus to develop into a male or
female. Many intersex conditions result
from their hormones being off or being unable to react to hormones. Don't worry men, I will talk about testosterone when I get to T so stay with me as I blog my way through the alphabet. <o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-18679799755110920202014-09-09T08:01:00.002-07:002014-09-09T08:01:33.212-07:00E is for Eunuch<div class="MsoNormal">
Out first E word is eunuch.
Eunuchs are usually castrated men.
They were often used in ancient cultures to guard harams and the royal
family and in important government jobs.
They were trusted because they would keep their hands off the women of
the haram or royal family and couldn’t father their own lineage to challenge
the king. Castrati singers were
castrated before puberty to sing the high notes in choirs because women were
not allowed to. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ancients actually had a much broader definition of eunuchs. The Bible says “there are eunuchs who were
born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and
there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of
heaven” (Matthew 19:23). In his
Generation of Animals, Aristotle says procreation requires both the mental
faculty and anatomical parts to do so.
By this definition homosexuals and asexuals who lack the mental faculty
to procreate are eunuchs. Roman emperor
Justinian I even used the Aristotelian definition of eunuchs in his laws as “one
with no generative power, an impotent person, either by nature or castration.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By this broader definition many, if not most intersex people
are “eunuchs who were born that way”. Many
intersex conditions result in sterility and we usually have our gonads removed. There are also higher cases of homosexuality
and asexuality (or at least celibacy) amongst intersex people. I have occasionally used eunuch to describe
myself. I kind of like it because it is
a gender nonconforming identity and also gives a nod to the genital mutilation
I underwent (for better or worse it’s a part of me). Eunuchs were prominent members of their
societies, should we reclaim this title?
Leave comments, let me know what you think.<o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-18508110643639859712014-09-04T20:06:00.001-07:002014-09-04T20:06:16.952-07:00Intersex Psycho<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a buffer between D and E. Join me as I continue blogging through the
alphabet next week. Today I am going to
talk about an occurrence that is happening on TV, the new trope of the intersex
psycho.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are two times this has happened. The first is on the show Nip/Tuck. The character Quentin Costa is a plastic
surgeon and a serial rapist called the Carver who mutilates his victim’s faces. It is revealed that he also has 5 Alpha
Reductase Deficiency as a result of incest (not really an indicator for this
condition).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other show is the soap opera Passions. The character Vincent Clarkson is a murderer,
rapist, arsonist and blackmailer. He has
a female alter ego named Valerie. He also
has an unnamed intersex condition and was briefly pregnant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This trope is very similar to the transgender psycho trope
(see Silence of the Lambs, Psycho, and Dressed to Kill). This is obviously very offensive to intersex
and transgender people. It plays into
the ridiculous belief that gender nonconformity is a sign of insanity and
possibly violence. In the case of
Quentin, it implied his being mistreated by society was part of what drove him
to madness. It also plays into an
ancient belief that hermaphrodites are monstrous. It is not only offensive, but dehumanizing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
You could argue that I am being oversensitive, it is only
two TV shows after all. I feel, however,
that intersex people are a tiny, relatively unknown minority and two shows can have
a disproportionate effect on public perception.
If this is their only reference for intersexuality, of course people
will be less open to intersex issues and concerns. They might even become
prejudiced against us. In any case these
shows can only have negative consequences for the intersex community. Shame on
the creators of Nip/Tuck and Passions for creating this trope. Artistic freedom aside, they may have increased
discrimination against us. Post some
comments, let me know what you think. <o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-49178259686928649492014-09-02T08:44:00.002-07:002014-09-02T08:44:38.155-07:00D is for Dating<div class="MsoNormal">
Our last D word is dating.
This is too large an area to really get into in one blog post, so I will
focus on the main issue. The main
question intersex (and transgender) people have regarding relationships is: “when
do I disclose this to someone I am dating?”
This is a very important question.
Many potential partners will not be accepting of this (or have even
heard of intersex). If the relationship
is heterosexual and they feel their sexuality was threatened they may even
become violent. There are four main
schools of thought on when to tell.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
~ right away. This is
pragmatic. Get it out in the open before
either party has invested much time or emotion into the relationship. You might end up teaching them about intersex
issues if they have never heard of it. If
they can’t accept it they can walk away with no hard feelings. No muss no fuss. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
~ before sleeping together.
Some people feel it is best to let the relationship blossom for a while first. Let them get to know you and maybe love you
first so they are more likely to stay.
Then disclose things before the clothes come off. Also as you get to know them, and realize
they won’t handle the news well, you can call it off before anyone gets too
hurt. At first this seems like a good
idea. The only potential problem is they
may feel lead on. Also if they don’t
handle the news well, it will be messier if they have more time and emotion
invested into the relationship.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
~ never. This is
risky and somewhat radicle. The line of
thought goes cisgender people never have to go disclose their gender identity
in a relationship so why should I. If
they truly love me they will accept me.
Or if I have had genital surgery or non-ambiguous genitalia they won’t
find out. Thus there is no reason to
tell them since it could destroy the relationship. Both scenarios are dangerous. If they get into bed with you and find things
are not as they expected, or somehow discover the person they love is not quite
what they thought they may become violent.
Even if they may have been accepting, the feeling of being lied to may actually
lead to the end of the relationship. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
~ be out of the closet to begin with. This is the option I personally think is the
best. If it is already widely known that
you are intersex (or transgender) there will be no need for a big reveal. They will most likely already know. If they have been living under a rock and didn’t know, then tell them right away, your safety may depend on it. As a bonus, if they approach you, you know right
off the bat that they are accepting of you.
This is one more reason to come out ASAP. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-12287269504470016362014-08-28T15:01:00.000-07:002014-08-28T15:01:06.576-07:00D is for Demigender<div class="MsoNormal">
Today our D word is demigender. This is a very new identity, so new it is not
widely known. Demigender people only slightly
identify with the sex they were raised as, but are not dysphoric and don’t wish
to transition. They are comfortable in
their bodies and socially live as that gender, but don’t really identify with
it (especially the social roles). Personally
I find this label fits my personal identity better than anything else I have
heard. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Many demigender people see their physical sex as a matter of
random circumstance. It is not something
they feel needs changing, but is not an inherent part of their identities. I think some intersex people see being
intersex the same way. If you consider reproduction
an important part of your gender identity (and some heterosexual cisgender
people do); then more intersex people might feel demigendered. This is especially true if they had their
gonads/uteri etc. removed. Of course
intersex people, like everyone else, can identify any way they want, including
demigender. In any case I think it’s an
interesting identity, certainly worthy of a post. Let me know if you have any ideas for topics.
<o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-42162801442616584592014-08-26T09:23:00.000-07:002014-08-26T09:23:02.662-07:00D is for Discrimination<div class="MsoNormal">
Today D is for discrimination. In most countries intersex people are not a
legally protected class against discrimination.
Wikipedia defines discrimination as “action that denies social
participation or human rights to categories of people based on prejudice.” Intersex is not well known or understood by
the general populace. As such we are not
usually discriminated against for being intersex, but for being confused with
transgender or gay people. The methods of
discrimination can be big and small and are too many to get into here. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Intersexphobia is a new word that is starting to float
around to describe discrimination against intersex people, but as I have said a
lot of that comes from confusing us with other groups (if homophobic/transphobic
people understood intersex, they would probably discriminate against it as
well). I would argue being socially hidden
and expected to live binary lives (which happens in many ways, big and small) is
the biggest discrimination we face specifically for being intersex. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most western countries have laws protecting discrimination
based on sex and sexual orientation, and a few protect transgender people. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
In my home country, the United States, Wood vs.
CG Studios is the only case filed for employer discrimination under Title VII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In 1987
Wilma Wood claimed her employer, CG Studios, fired her after learning she was intersex and
underwent genital surgery prior to her being hired there. The judge ruled that this was not
discrimination. Like previous cases
involving transgender people, sex was defined as strictly binary with any
variance not considered a protected class.
Things are looking up. More cases
are interpreting transgender as being cover under Title VII and 17 states have
laws specifically protecting transgender people from workplace discrimination,
and 14 stated protect them from discrimination at school. Federal law protects transgender people from
hate crimes. Most judges would interpret
these laws to cover intersex people, but strictly interpreted, they do not. The right to use the public bathroom of the
gender you identify as is usually not protected. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Ever since the sexual revolution in the 60’s and 70’s
society has slowly become more tolerant of sexual/gender nonconformity. I sincerely believe things are getting better
and will continue to do so. The question
is how do we speed the process along? I
believe the best approach is education.
Most discrimination comes from a place of ignorance and fear. By being open about ourselves and friendly to
everyone, even those who work against us, we become good ambassadors for the
intersex community. The more people who
see this will move to our side and the discriminators will become fewer. If you have any ideas of thoughts on this, or
other topics to cover, leave me a comment. <o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7839978414000723306.post-15812951444930837402014-08-21T19:34:00.000-07:002014-08-22T17:28:59.524-07:00D is for Disorders of Sexual Development <div class="MsoNormal">
Our D word for today is Disorder of Sexual Development
(DSD). DSD is the new medical term/diagnosis
for intersex conditions. The term was created
because many intersex people see themselves as fitting into the gender binary
with only a medical condition. The
expression ‘intersex’ was seen as overly political. DSD also covers medical conditions that are
arguably not intersex, such as Turners Syndrome or Triple X Syndrome. This redefinition has been very
controversial. The reaction highlights
the main division within the intersex community. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many intersex people see themselves as men or women with a
birth defect. For them the strictly
medical term DSD makes is easier to explain their experiences and identity to
the outside world. It also makes parents
and doctors more comfortable talking about these things. They also feel that DSD better shows the
division between intersex, transgender and homosexuality. They are looking for support, not gender
politics and a medical fight. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
For other intersexuals, like me, who have a non-binary gender
identity, intersex makes more sense for their identity. They object to the word disordered when
their medical condition does not disable them in any way. They feel that using DSD is allowing the
medical establishment to define the discussion.
That way the current treatment of intersex people will continue to be
the norm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think both sides make good points and a pragmatic approach is best. DSD is good in many circumstances. While talking to people about your
experiences without non-binary identities and gender politics it makes perfect
sense. DSD will also scare fewer people,
off or make them go into an anti-gay tirade. That being said, we absolutely need the fire
of intersex. We need to say what was done
to us was horrific. Explaining things in
a medical way that will not be off putting has its place, but without
confronting the system, nothing will change.<o:p></o:p></div>
Intersex &the Cityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08615805736623763538noreply@blogger.com0