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If you want your child, who is naturally born with a difference in their sex development to grow up feeling supported, loved and healthy, try not making them have lots of secret surgeries or hormones. 1/
I hear arguments frequently from adults who advocate for early intervention, claiming it’s about protecting your child from feeling different when they’re older. Here’s the thing, if you‘re working on “fixing” their body, you’re teaching them they’re unlovable as they are. 2/
It may be that a child is a bit older and they’re concerned themselves about their body. Worried about puberty and being different in school. Well, open frank discussions with them about their options, talk to them: don’t decide for them. 3/
Most of these medical interventions do not have accompanying psychological support for children or even adults/families. They’re touted as a “quick fix” but the reality is far from easy. As your child’s body develops, further treatments may be needed throughout their life. 4/
Wherever possible, seek out support from those who have been in a similar situation. YOU’RE NOT ALONE. If your health professional is advocating for “treatment”, surely they have experience and previous patients. Where are they? 5/
Privacy is obviously important in medicine but so is autonomy and informed consent. From experience, there’s no harm in asking for other opinions or support, your health professional should be able to speak to others and see if they’re willing to talk/share their stories. 6/
There will never be a “right” age for these so called treatments, regardless of the trait/variation/disorder. Just because a patient is too young to remember pain, does not make it less painful at the time. 7/
There different realities that come under intersex. It changes according to time/place like other words. It’s natural and personal but it doesn’t need to be shameful, fixed or hidden. We all have a right to feel comfortable in our own body and decide how it should look. 8/
Intersex rights are about HUMAN rights. It’s NOT about parental rights. What is a parental right is being able to make INFORMED decisions on your child’s behalf. They’re not piece of property. CONSENT should involve having all the information in an easy to understand way. 9/
