Comments on: What is Intersex?

By: Sean Pesavento

Sean Pesavento — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 13:08:35 +0000

TY a ton pertaining to writing this, it absolutely was unbelieveably educational and informed me a new lot

By: Doug

Doug — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:57:49 +0000

Ok, I know that this is going to sound rather silly, but the other day I got into a rather serious argument with a friend (that’s now questionable), over the notion that humans can be hermorphodetic. I tried to explain that to my knowledge this is quite impossible. The reason being that the term itself means that one would be capable of producing offspring without the need for mating with the opposite sex. Earthworms, snails, and certain verities of plant life are capable of reproduction without a mate. Humans can’t!

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).

By: Caitlin

Caitlin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:11:12 +0000

I am sorry, but we will have to disagree. Plenty of doctors and individuals with MRKH (including myself) agree that MRKH falls under the larger umbrella of intersex. As a woman with MRKH, finding the intersex movement was what saved me from the shame, stigma and depression I felt from my diagnosis. Everyone has the right to self-identify in any way they see fit, myself included. I spend much of my time educating medical students and the general public on intersex issues, via my story of having MRKH. Regardless of your feelings on the word intersex, the fact is, MRKH or not, people with these conditions are treated under the same standard of care, which is lacking and in desperate need of change to say the least.

Thanks for reading,
Caitlin

By: C.

C. — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:01:08 +0000

There is a contradiction in your ‘information’. In one paragraph you state, “Everyone is expected to fall into one of two categories—male (XY, testes, penis) or female (XX, ovaries, uterus, vagina). Often, babies are born who don’t fall neatly into these categories. They are intersexed.” Then you list MRKH as an Intersex condition which it is not. A poll was taken on one MRKH site over two years ago. 95% of MRKH women do not feel they are Intersex. While we respect and empathize with people who ARE Intersex, we still believe that you should remove MRKH from your list as this is not scientifically accurate. Thank you C.

By: tdillard

tdillard — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:58:19 +0000

Thank you for providing such great information. I want to educate myself on this issue and your blog is a great resource. I am ashamed to say that I watched the Tyra show and immediately wanted to see photos of this “condition”. Now I want to become involved. Thanks again.

By: To all people searching for pics of intersex genitals « Caitlin Petrakis Childs

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:54:31 +0000

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