Articles about parenting intersex infants and children, or related to parenting issues.
A Queensland mother talks with Minna Burgess, a Queensland baby and maternity photographer, and journalist Sabrina Rogers-Anderson in two articles about the birth of her son. Minna Burgess shared a beautiful story on her blog following the birth of baby M to Jane and Stuart. Initially fearful, Jane talks about her fears and the difficulties…
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Late last year, the Human Rights Commissioner announced a survey and consultation to explore key rights and services issues affecting LGBT and intersex people in Australia. Download OII Australia SOGII Submission 2015 OII Australia consulted our members, board and broader constituency, and we have made a submission today that covers the key intersex-specific issues for…
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We have recently received a copy of “Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity”, a schoolbook by Australian publisher The Spinney Press in their “Issues in Society” series. It also contains content on intersex people and intersex issues. That content includes an intersex for allies guide, and “It’s time to defend intersex rights“, an article on the…
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Following a meeting between Megan Mitchell, the National Children’s Commissioner, and Morgan Carpenter, yesterday, we have made a late submission to the National Children’s Commissioner inquiry on intentional self-harm and suicidal behaviour in children. The Australian Human Rights Commission describes the inquiry as follows: The National Children’s Commissioner is examining how children and young people…
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OII Australia has just made a submission to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) in relation to a review of Part B of the Ethical Guidelines on the Use of Assisted Reproductive Technology in Clinical Practice and Research, 2007 (ART guidelines). Part B of the ART guidelines provides ethical guidelines for the clinical…
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A study published in the peer reviewed medical press this month describes the birth of an intersex child as a “challenging clinical emergency”, and finds that the incidence of post traumatic stress symptoms in parents is comparable to that amongst parents of children diagnosed with cancer. OII Australia believes that the framing of the birth…
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I loved this book. It vividly captures the effects of secrecy and shame on an intersex adolescent, and a family in crisis. It’s compassionately and beautifully written, from the perspective of six key characters: Max the protagonist, his brother, parents, doctor and friend. Unlike Jeffrey Eugenides’s Middlesex, which manages to convey the impression that intersex…
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Lizzie Reis writes about the M.C case taken by Advocates for Informed Choice, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Crawford family and pro bono lawyers. Writing at Nursing Clio Reis says: M.C. had been identified male at birth, but his genitals were sufficiently indeterminate that surgeons removed his ambiguous phallus, a testis, and testicular tissue…
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Sex characteristics are more varied than most people are aware. To help you welcome your newborn, this information addresses common questions and concerns regarding variations in sex characteristics. This information will help you make decisions that promote the health and wellbeing of your child and your entire family.
Advocates for Informed Choice, the Southern Poverty Law Center, pro bono lawyers and parents Pam and Mark Crawford have filed “the first ever impact litigation lawsuit” against the state of South Carolina Department of Social Services, the Greenville Hospital System, Medical University of South Carolina and individual employees for, AIC state, “performing an irreversible and…
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Long awaited documentary about the experiences of a number of intersex people around the world, Intersexion, was made for New Zealand television broadcaster TV One by Grant Lahood with the assistance of Wellington-resident intersex activist and counsellor Mani Bruce Mitchell.
Published in November 2008, Fixing Sex: Intersex, Medical Authority, and Lived Experience by Katrina Karkazis is compelling and recommended reading. Meticulously researched and approachable in style, it presents a historical analysis of the treatment of intersex people, together with an analysis of both current medical practice and the impact on intersex people and our families….
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