Medicine, like most things, is subject in its use to the distorting effects of cultural expectations and social values, which are not always fair or just.
Reading this (old, 2016) article on intersex children in The Guardian, I reflected to myself that operating on intersex children – to make their bodies outwardly conform to male or female, without their consent because they’re infants – is horrendous. Almost two per cent of the population are intersex. That’s a lot of people. Isn’t it time we stopped putting intersex kids to the knife without good reason? Who’s it best for, anyway – the child? How?
Contrast this with the controversy around puberty blockers being prescribed for young trans people. For some, the idea of doing surgery on intersex infants is entirely acceptable but they do not approve of young people being given medication to hold off puberty until they can make decisions for themselves at 18 as regards their physical development.
The former is entirely about what other people decide is or isn’t acceptable to have as part of your body, the latter is a compassionate approach that sits on the fence in regard to judgement. The former is an imposition on those who cannot give consent, the latter a choice made by young people in dialogue with caregivers, support workers and medical professionals. The former is a lifelong imposed mutilation, the latter a temporary hold on the advancement of puberty.
I’ll always advocate for the least invasive, nondestructive and reversible pathway to be taken with regard to anything. I’m certain: intersex people deserve better than they get from the society they’re born into. Just like trans people. Just like the entire LGBTQ+ community. Just like women. Just like people with disabilities. Just like everyone who simply wants to live their best life. Giving people safety, accessibility and peace isn’t about going after privileges others don’t have. It’s about everyone having the same. It’s called equality – and we are a long way off achieving it.
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