MEDIAGU I DE
Covering the Intersex Community“Intersex” is an umbrellaterm that refers to people
born with one or more of arange of variations in sex characteristics that fall outside of
traditional conceptions of maleor female bodies. For example,
intersex people may have variations in their chromosomes,
genitals, or internal organs
like testes or ovaries.

We’ve all seen the headlines. A female athlete is tested anddiscovers she has XY chromosomes or unusually high levels of testosterone. Some of these athletes are intersex,
but they just didn’t know it. So what does this mean?
Some intersex characteristics are identified at birth,while other people may not discover they have intersex traits until puberty or later in life. People withintersex traits have always existed, but there is moreawareness now about the diversity of human bodies. People with intersex bodies, like anyone who may
be seen as different, sometimes face discrimination inemployment, education, and in healthcare settings, asinfants, adolescents, and adults.

2Basics of Covering the Intersex Community
Describing what it means to be intersex.
Because many people may not be familiar with what it means to be intersex, in many instances, it isimportant to accurately and thoughtfully describe what it means.

Intersex:

An umbrella term describing people born with biological characteristics
such as reproductive or sex anatomy and/or a chromosome pattern that
don’t fit the typical definitions of male or female.
While some people can be born with intersex traits and also identify as transgender, the two are separate and should not be conflated.

How todescribe
the fact thatsomeone isintersex:
Accurate
terminologyis key.

••••

Susan is an intersex person.
Susan is intersex.
Intersex people are …
People who are intersex …

It is crucial that media coverage of intersex people use
accurate language rather than relying on outdated andinflammatory language.
Use: “Intersex” - As in “intersex traits,” “intersex variations,” or ”intersex bodies.”

Avoid: “Disorders of Sex Development (DSD)” - In 2005, themedical community formally introduced the term “disordersof sex development,” or “DSD” for short. However, this term iscontroversial and pathologizing, and while some advocateshave opted to replace “disorders” with “differences,” the intersex community has moved toward nearly exclusive use of theterm “intersex” and away from “disorder of sex development” or“DSD” entirely.
However, some people born with intersex traits may identify
with DSD language. It is important to honor individual choicearound terminology and identity when describing their own
personal experience.

INTERSEX MEDIA GUIDE

Avoid:“Hermaphrodite”
This term is outdated,
medically inaccurate, and isconsidered derogatory.

3Don’t make assumptions. Let people share their own stories.
It can be hard to understand what it’s like to be intersex, especially if you’ve never known an intersex person. If you are interviewing someone who you think may be intersex or who has
shared that they are intersex, let them share the information theywish to share. Respect their privacy!

Lynnell Stephani LongIntersex Advocate

At this point, the only celebrity who has publicly disclosed theirintersex status is fashion model Hanne Gaby Odiele. We don’tknow if there are others, but if there are please respect theirprivacy and anonymity, and let them disclose their status if andwhen they are ready.

Hanne Gaby Odiele
Intersex Advocate

Please ask the intersex person if they
are comfortable talking about theirbody and medical experience, andrespect their answer. Many intersex
advocates are happy to share theirexperiences in an effort to educate
and help bring change — but don’t
assume this is the case.

Avoid focusing on genitals or bodies. It is inappropriate to
ask an intersex person questions about their bodies or genitals.
Typically, those questions are only asked out of prurient curiosity.
They also distract the journalist and the reader/viewer from understanding the whole person and from focusing on larger issues
that affect intersex people, like medically unnecessary surgeries
and social stigma. Unless an intersex person volunteers this information, it is also inappropriate to ask for details of surgeries ormedical procedures they may or may not have had.

Bringing in expert opinion. When writing about intersex people or issues, always talk first to intersex people! It is also important to bring in other experts who can provide accurate, fact-based information.
When covering intersex issues, consider speaking with:•••

Intersex adults who underwent non-consensual,irreversible, and unnecessary surgeries
Intersex adults who escaped unnecessary surgery
Experienced parents of intersex children

Being intersex is unique foreach individual. Don’t makegeneralizations.
Being intersex might be a hugedeal or might have little impact on
an individual. Each intersex person has a different body, has had
a different experience, and feels
differently about being intersex.
Being intersex also doesn’t meana person will have a certain sexual
orientation or think about their

INTERSEX MEDIA GUIDE•••Intersex Organizations
Human Rights Organizations
Intersex-Friendly Physicians and Medical Associations(interACT can supply contact names)

gender in a set way. Don’t makeassumptions.

Some intersex people may choose
to use gender pronouns otherthan “he” or “she,” like “they” or“them” or “zie or “hir.” Always ask
intersex people what pronouns
they would like you to use.
Not all intersex people identify
as intersex, with some preferringother terminology to describe
themselves — please ask what
they prefer.
Occasionally, surgeries on intersex
children may be medically necessary and appropriate as long as aperson gives fully informed consent. Don’t assume that all intersex medical treatment is unnecessary and harmful.

4

Challenges facing intersex people and recommendations
Some intersex children
undergo irreversible
unnecessary surgeries
and treatment – without their consent.
For many years, the medical establishment hasviewed babies born withatypical sex characteristics as having bodies thatneed to be “fixed.” Someintersex babies and older
youth have undergoneextensive, involuntary
surgeries for no otherreason than to make theirbodies conform to traditional notions of what
it means to be male orfemale.
The vast majority of thesesurgeries are not medically necessary when
performed on young children and could instead
be delayed until the inter-sex individual can decide
whether surgery is rightfor them. In some instances, intersex individuals grow up without everhaving known about the
medical procedures they
underwent as children.
Others report being toldthat surgery was necessary only to find out laterthat this was not the case.
Evidence is increasingly
showing the harms ofthese surgeries whenperformed without
informed consent, which
can include physical pain,
loss of genital sensitivity,scarring, and even sterilization, as well as significant psychological consequences and the risk thatthe sex assigned will notmatch the individual’sgender identity.

Because of these risks, intersex genital surgeries are now considered human rights abusesby groups like:

While this has led somecountries, such as Malta, tooutlaw non-consensual medical
interventions to modify sex anatomy,such procedures are notdirectly addressed by any law
in the United States and are still performed by a small group of specialists across the country.
Human Rights Watch is now
conducting research on these
medical practices in theUnited States and is expected
to have a report by summer
2017.

Intersex people experience emotional harm from this treatment.
Many intersex youth and adults today talk about the harmful consequences suffered as a result of unwanted
surgeries, including poor self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and issues with trust and intimacy in relationships. While parents’ and doctors’ intentions may be good, rushing to "fix" a child's bodily difference, mostoften does more harm than good.
Most of society thinks biological sex is either “male” or “female,” but it can actually be more complicated. Thismisunderstanding makes intersex people feel alone and unnecessarily ashamed of their bodies.
Intersex people and their families need access to full information and both peer and mental health support.
Directing intersex people and their families to a support group is one of the most helpful things a medical
professional can do.
INTERSEX MEDIA GUIDE5Intersex people need autonomy in making decisions about their bodies.
Rather than having doctors pressure parents into making decisions about theirchildren’s bodies without the child’s consent, parents and medical professionals
should wait until intersex people are old enough to make their own fully informed
decisions about what, if any, medical procedures they desire.

We’re here to help!
Intersex issues can be complicated, but interACT staff are always available to answer
questions, provide resources, and identify spokespeople including intersex young people, adults, family members, and other experts.
Please visit http://interactadvocates.org/ for more informationinterACT’s Media Inquiry Form

365 Boston Post Road Suite 163 Sudbury, MA 01776 |info@interactadvocates.org | 707-793-1190