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Today is #IntersexAwarenessDay. We’ve teamed up with @lgbtfriend and @InterWednesday and throughout the day we’ll be dedicating our social media channels to intersex awareness - hopefully busting some myths along the way. Follow this thread for updates.
Intersex people are born with bodily sex characteristics (like chromosomes, genitals or hormones) that don’t belong to stereotypical male or female categories, or belong to both at the same time. These can be anywhere along a spectrum and occur naturally in humans
Historically, these variations were considered "disorders" needing to be “corrected”, subjecting intersex people to unnecessary – and often very damaging – medical, surgical and psychological treatments without their consent https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2017/05/intersex-rights/
Unfortunately such treatments continue in many European countries. In a world in which most people and governments only recognise male and female sex, the fundamental human rights of intersex people are at stake:
https://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra-2015-focus-04-intersex.pdf
https://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra-2015-focus-04-intersex.pdf
We’ll continue by clarifying some commonly held misconceptions about intersex people…
MYTH 1: Intersex people are “hermaphrodites”
This in an out-of-date term that adds to confusion about being intersex. The reality is that nobody is born with both sets of genitalia
MYTH 1: Intersex people are “hermaphrodites”
This in an out-of-date term that adds to confusion about being intersex. The reality is that nobody is born with both sets of genitalia
MYTH 2: All intersex people identify as LGBTQ
Not true. Like non-intersex people, intersex people might identify as straight, bisexual, gay, lesbian or trans. Intersex refers to bodily characteristics and is different from orientation or gender identity.
#IntersexAwarenessDay
Not true. Like non-intersex people, intersex people might identify as straight, bisexual, gay, lesbian or trans. Intersex refers to bodily characteristics and is different from orientation or gender identity.
#IntersexAwarenessDay
MYTH 3: Intersex means having ambiguous genitalia.
Not necessarily. Intersex traits can involve genitals, chromosomes, hormones, and other secondary sex characteristics. Sometimes it’s internal and sometimes external.
#IntersexAwarenessDay
Not necessarily. Intersex traits can involve genitals, chromosomes, hormones, and other secondary sex characteristics. Sometimes it’s internal and sometimes external.
#IntersexAwarenessDay
MYTH 4: Intersex people are rare
Actually an estimated 1.7% of children in the world are born every year with variations of sex characteristics. That’s more common than red hair!
#IntersexAwarenessDay
Actually an estimated 1.7% of children in the world are born every year with variations of sex characteristics. That’s more common than red hair!
#IntersexAwarenessDay
MYTH 5: You can tell if someone is intersex by just looking at them.
This is absolutely not true. Intersex people look like the whole spectrum of sexes.
#IntersexAwarenessDay
This is absolutely not true. Intersex people look like the whole spectrum of sexes.
#IntersexAwarenessDay
MYTH 6: Intersex people are white and femme.
Again not true. Intersex people exist all around the world, from all different races and walks of life. The diversity of intersex bodies is something to celebrate!
#IntersexAwarenessDay
Again not true. Intersex people exist all around the world, from all different races and walks of life. The diversity of intersex bodies is something to celebrate!
#IntersexAwarenessDay
MYTH 7: All Intersex people have the same experience.
In reality there are over 35 intersex variations and no single intersex identity. Although they may face similar challenges as a community, not every intersex person has the same experience
#IntersexAwarenessDay
In reality there are over 35 intersex variations and no single intersex identity. Although they may face similar challenges as a community, not every intersex person has the same experience
#IntersexAwarenessDay
MYTH 8: I don’t know any intersex people so can’t be a good ally
Definitely not! You can start by informing yourself about the challenges faced by intersex people and their fight against erasure and intersex genital mutilation. We'll post some links so you can find out more
Definitely not! You can start by informing yourself about the challenges faced by intersex people and their fight against erasure and intersex genital mutilation. We'll post some links so you can find out more
Here are some resources where you can read more:
https://www.ilga-europe.org/what-we-do/our-advocacy-work/trans-and-intersex/intersex
https://oiieurope.org/malta-declaration/
https://oiieurope.org/standing-up-for-the-human-rights-of-intersex-people-how-can-you-help/
#IntersexAwarenessDay
https://www.ilga-europe.org/what-we-do/our-advocacy-work/trans-and-intersex/intersex
https://oiieurope.org/malta-declaration/
https://oiieurope.org/standing-up-for-the-human-rights-of-intersex-people-how-can-you-help/
#IntersexAwarenessDay
Or you can give @InterWednesday a follow - they're a peer led intersex support group based at Caledonian Road, London
Check out their video intro below:
Check out their video intro below:
We're massively grateful to Martin H. Di Maggio & Matt Francino from @lgbtfriend for their help in compiling this thread
#IntersexAwarenessDay
#IntersexAwarenessDay
We’re also very #PROUD to announce that from 2020, intersex is now officially a protected characteristic in our hospital trust @ChelwestFT ‘s Equality & Diversity policy – the first NHS trust in the UK we know to adopt this
#IntersexAwarenessDay
#IntersexAwarenessDay
