Lessons from the Intersexed Suzanne Kessler, 1998

1
Lessons from the IntersexedSuzanne Kessler, 1998

• PSY 250 Human Sexuality
• Dr. Muñoz
• Wells College

2
What is intersex?

• Intersex Society of North America (ISNA)
• Meanings of Variability, See pages 8 - 9 from
  Kessler

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What is intersex?

• Milton Diamond Foremost, we advocate use of the
  terms "typical," "usual," or "most frequent"
  where it is more common to use the term "normal."
  When possible avoid expressions like maldeveloped
  or undeveloped, errors of development, defective
  genitals, abnormal, or mistakes of nature.
  Emphasize that all of these conditions are
  biologically understandable while they are
  statistically uncommon. It helps in discussion
  with parents and child that they come to accept
  the genital condition as normal although
  atypical. Individuals with these genitalia are
  not freaks but biological varieties commonly
  referred to as intersexes. Indeed, it is our
  understanding of natural diversity that a wide
  offering of sex types and associated etiologies
  should be anticipated (see e.g., 6, 7 ). Our
  overall theme is to destigmatize the conditions.

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On sexual orientation Sex and Gender are
DifferentSexual Identity and Gender Identity
are Different

• Lately it is advocated that the terms
  androphilic, gynecophilic, and ambiphilic are
  used to describe the sexual/erotic partners one
  prefers (andro male gyneco female ambi
  both philic to love) (Diamond 1997). The use
  of such terms obviates the need to define
  specifically the sex or gender of the person
  referred to and focuses solely on the sex of the
  desired partner. Again, this clarity of usage is
  particularly advantageous when discussing
  transsexuals or intersexed individuals. Diamond,
  2001

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Kesslers 5 questions, p. 7

• How dimorphic are genitals?
• How successful are genital surgeries?
• Is gender necessarily dichotomous could it be
  socially constructed to be trichotomous - at
  least?
• Must genitals be the essential marker of gender?
• How does the medical profession use its authority
  to manage a particular version of gender?