I’m actually 16 years old, I have been born with MRKH. I was diagnosed in August 2010.

Please Message Me, I would really appreciate to talk to you.

The upshot of all of this is that, affter being called a “freak lover” and a few other names, I came to several conclusions…. First, the language
commonly used when discussing this subject is COMPLETELY INADEQUATE!

Moreover, the language that is used, is such as to invoke any number of cultural and social stigmatisms towards intersex people.

To conclude, for now at any rate, let me just say that I am not interested in anyone’s genitalia. I am, however, interested in gaining an understanding of the personal, social, and cultural aspects of intersexism (for lack of a better term).

Thanks for reading,
Caitlin

Thanks for commenting! I am not sure we actually disagree.

I understand that some intersex people also identify as transgender, and that intersex people who choose to change their gender/sex as a result of surgery performed without their consent are often labeled as transgendered or transsexual by the medical establishment. The reason I think it is important to separate intersex and trans is that there are differences in the experiences of intersex folks (even ones who self-identify as or are labeled as trans by others) and folks who are trans and not intersex. I think it is a disservice to all of us to be lumped into one big category.

All that said, I do think that intersex folks and trans folks who aren’t intersex have much in common and should work together (with a mutual understanding and respect for differences.) Trans folks in my community were some of my biggest allies when I came out and started speaking about my experiences as an intersex person. We felt invisible and marginalized in the activist circles we were working in at the time, and it was incredible to have folks to check-in with, not to mention having a group of folks to have your back when issues arose. This list came out of that very group of trans allies and myself.

Anyway, maybe that clarifies my thoughts on the issue. I would love to hear yours. Thanks for reading and posting!

Caitlin

I’ll admit too, I have searched the net looking for “intersex photos” , not for any sick reason or fetish, but because I know my baby pictures were used as a “typical case” and I want to find the sites that have them and see if I can get them removed. Parents of newborns with what is commonly called ‘normal genitals” don;t need to see other naked infants to compare if their child looks okay, so I see no reason why scientists need to see my picture.

Best of luck with your work. We might not agree on everything, but we don’t have to.

Laurie

I applaud you for expressing the truth about intersexed individuals and the exploitation, stress, trauma, and humiliation they are forced to experience.

Many an individual, or multiple individuals, who form a group express anti-discrimination against themselves, and cannot fathom how another individual could treat them with inequality, then do the exact same thing they do not like being treated with to individuals who are intersexed, or transgender.

It is highly illogical.

I feel your pain, and thank you for not being afraid to express the truth, as well as your viewpoints.

Katherine V. London.

Great point! I completely understand the desire for intersex folks to see pictures of other folks like or similar to them. I had thought many years ago that it would be really cool if someone did an intersex version of the book ‘Femalia’ by Joani Blank. I would definitely participate in a project like that! Plus, I can’t help to think what a powerful message something like that could send to doctors and others who think we “defective” and that we should be ashamed of the way our bodies are.

I also want to thank you for reading and commenting. I have to admit that after discovering your blog last night and reading some of your posts, I have developed a bit of a intellectual crush on you! I often feel lonely and isolated from other intersex folks, so I am always excited to connect with other folks who share experiences and an analysis similar to mine. I am very pleased to make your (internet) acquaintance and look forward to reading more from you!

On the other hand, I know that as an intersex person who was trying to find out more about people who share my physical status, and thus about myself, I too spent a lot of time looking in medical journals and websites. It wasn’t comfortable, but I needed to know. . .

There’s an obvious solution, which is to create and make very accessible a collection of images that are nonexploitative for people to look at to learn more about physical variation. It could be just quality drawings, or intersex people who wished to permit someone to take fully human, nondegrading photographs of themselves could contribute. Either way, I think that would be a worthy project.

Anyway, the point you make is very important, and I thank you.

Thanks again for reading!