Medical interventions take place to address physical health concerns and psychosocial risks. Both types of rationale are the subject of debate, particularly as the consequences of surgical (and many hormonal) interventions are lifelong and irreversible.
Medical approaches to intersex include feminising and masculinising surgeries, hormone treatment and psychosocial support. In the cases where gonads may pose a cancer risk, as in some cases of Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, testes may be monitored in situ without the need to surgically excise.
When in doubt wait. Preserve all opportunities for intersex people to make their own decisions to what happens to their bodies.
This resource outlines the Darlington Statement, a joint statement by Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand intersex community organisations and independent advocates.
Article by Christopher P Houk, MD, Laurence S Baskin, MD, FAAP, Lynne L Levitsky, MD
Involuntary or coerced sterilisation of intersex people in Australia was produced by the Senate Community Affairs Committee Secretariat and printed by the Senate Printing Unit, Parliament House, Canberra.
2016 "Guardian" article by Jenny Kleeman.
2001 research in "The Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology" by Catherine Minto, Sarah Creighton & Christopher Woodhouse. Concludes that clitoral surgery can damage adult sexual function.
2001 research in "The Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology" by Catherine Minto, Sarah Creighton & Stuart J Steele. Concludes that most children undergoing feminizing surgery require further treatment in puberty and this must be made clear to the parents. Vaginal surgery should be deferred until puberty unless there is a risk of haematocolpos. The requirement for clitoral surgery should be carefully considered on an individual basis.
2010 article in "Hormone Research in Pedeatrics" by Gillam L.H, Hewitt J.K. & Warne G.L. which proposes (1) minimising physical risk to child; (2) minimising psychosocial risk to child; (3) preserving potential for fertility; (4) preserving or promoting capacity to have satisfying sexual relations; (5) leaving options open for the future, and (6) respecting the parents’ wishes and beliefs.
Involuntary or coerced sterilisation of intersex people in Australia was produced by the Senate Community Affairs Committee Secretariat and printed by the Senate Printing Unit, Parliament House, Canberra.
In April 2010, the parents of a 13-year-old girl with the 46XY genotype and ingunial testes successfully petitioned the Family Court in Queensland for permission for their daughter to have surgery to remove her gonads
2006 "Pedatrics" article by Peter A. Lee, Christopher P. Houk, S. Faisal Ahmed, Ieuan A. Hughes in collaboration with the participants in the International Consensus Conference on Intersex organized by the Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society and the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology
In this 2018 sci fi television episode, a Mocklan girl is pressured to have gender reassigning surgery.
A 2019 video introduction to intersex created by Rochelle Oh.
In 2014, Australian Senators Siewert, Boyce and Moore spoke about the Community Affairs References Committee inquiry into involuntary or coerced sterilisation of intersex people in Australia. Information on the Inquiry, including the report and recommendations is available online
2015 Archer Magazine article by Phoebe Hart. For children with different bodies, honesty and disclosure can help to avoid a lifetime of shame.
health.vic overview of issues pertinent to people with intersex variations
World Health Organisation discusses principles of sex and gender
Scientific American article by Sally Lehrman on May 30, 2007. Eric Vilain discusses the biology and politics of mixed-sex individuals, arguing that terms such as "hermaphrodite" and "intersex" are vague and hurtful.
2018 "Social Studies of Science" article by David Andrew Griffiths
This information sheet was prepared by the Australian Pyschological Association for parents and families of children born with intersex variations and the mental health professionals who work with them.
In this episode of InQueery, intersex advocate and video producer Maria Tridas breaks down the origins of the term "intersex."
November 2008 article in "Endocrine Today" by Anne Tamar-Mattis, JD
1998 research in "The Journal of Clinical Ethics" by Kenneth Kipnis, Ph.D. and Milton Diamond, Ph.D.
2000 article in "Yale Policy and Law Review" by Kishka-Kamari Ford.
"2004 research in ""The Psychologist"" by Liao, L.-M., & Boyle, M."
Our printable brochure to help parents who have recently met their intersex child.
Information about Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome and our support group.
2019 information and resource paper produced by Health and Human Services, Victorian Government
2016 blog post by Pidgeon, intersex activist, filmmaker and consultant
2017 University of Huddersfield research by Surya Monro, Daniela Crocetti,Tray Yeadon- Lee, Fae Garland and Mitch Travis
Informative videos made by our members, for our members. Topics include: language; international community; conferences; clinicians and obstacles.
This information sheet was prepared by the Australian Pyschological Association for parents and families of children born with intersex variations and the mental health professionals who work with them.
2018 "Social Studies of Science" article by David Andrew Griffiths
health.vic overview of issues pertinent to people with intersex variations.
Apology is arguably the central act of the reparative work required after wrongdoing.
Information about Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome and our support group.
