As I’m on the subject of people tone policing those of us with DSDs, I want to share this. I thought this thread was gone forever but, by magic and perseverance, I’ve managed to retrieve it. This may be big headed but I’m so pleased. It’s one of the things I’m most proud of ever […]
Author archives: Claire Graham
There’s no I in LGBT
I’ve been asked to comment on intersex inclusion in the LGBT+ umbrella, so here goes… I’m going to say off the bat, I don’t really understand it on a personal level. I’m a straight woman who does not have gender identity issues. I’ve struggled with understanding my body in the past and how being unable […]
Why Do Trans Activists Claim to Be Intersex?
This is a question I get asked a lot and, to be honest, it’s one of the hardest to answer. Firstly, being asked to second guess someone else’s motivation is problematic. I can only guess what they’re thinking based on their behaviour, I can’t know. Secondly, I don’t think it has a simple answer, like […]
Introducing DSDvoices…
I thought it might be useful to share some other perspectives from intersex people/people with DSDs, so I’m going to start a collection called DSDvoices. I hope this provides intersex people/people with DSDs with a space in which they can tell their stories and talk about themselves and their conditions without fear of being criticised […]
DSDvoices: On the importance of knowing Women with Turner Syndrome are women
Guest author; @soulfoodie, republished, with kind permission, from her blog. If I was nervous about writing the previous post, I am beyond nervous about writing this one. I have been thinking if I should now for several months. The fact I even have to write it, and the knowledge of some of the reactions I […]
A Tale of Twitter
Please be advised, this blog includes some examples of abusive and graphic content that some people may find distressing. A very dear friend of mine has asked me to write a bit about my time on Twitter and what happened to me on there. I think it’s important that we talk about how Twitter influences […]
Is there such a thing as “intersex genitalia”?
Okay, let’s talk about “intersex genitalia”, or using its proper term, ambiguous genitalia and how sex is determined. First of all, it is not some doctor, rubbing their chin, doing a sharp intake of breath and writing down a question mark, or a “best guess”, with a shrug. This really minimises the experience that parents […]
Do Intersex Men Have Periods?
I’ve been asked to comment on some of the claims made by Jessica Yaniv in their recent British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal hearing (there’s some background to the case here for those not familiar with it), as well as other comments they have made in the past pertaining to being intersex. Let’s get the easy […]
Don’t Call Me Cis
I often see trans activists and their allies laughing at the idea that not everyone has a “gender identity”, so I’m going to tell you a story that proves it. This will also explain a bit about my condition so it’s quite personal. Then we’ll see who’s laughing. Okay, so my condition (MRKH) isn’t usually evident at birth. On […]
Is Sex a Spectrum? Sex Determination and Differentiation
Right, we’re still struggling with the idea that there’s only two sex classes and that intersex people do not prove the ability to change sex, or do not exist on a spectrum. So, let’s look at sex determination and differentiation… Sex is determined at the point of conception. This is known as primary (or gonadal) […]