Intersex 101 and Beyond

Description

Much misinformation and myth surrounds Intersex. It is the most often ignored and misunderstood letter in the panoply of the queer community. Indeed inclusion of Intersex in the queer lexicon is a still much-debated topic within the community. In this workshop we will untangle some of the mystery of what is Intersex and what it means to be Intersex. The history of treatment and, more importantly, mistreatment of Intersex individuals by the medical establishment will be discussed. The impact of the violent and systemic erasure of Intersex bodies will be examined on the societal, familial and individual levels. How does an individual’s other identities, such as race, gender, and sexual orientation, intersect with their Intersex identity? Health care disparities for people of color, particularly black people, are well documented. Does this also impact how Intersex POC are treated? This workshop will dig into these questions. We’ll also look at the history of Intersex activism, its outcomes, and ongoing work. Falling outside the staunchly held sex binary results in different traumas for Intersex individuals. Together we will delve into the various spaces these traumas occur. We will also look at the ways Intersex individuals and communities have fostered healing, empowerment, and support for themselves and how mental health providers can align themselves with and support these practices.