Diana’s Interview with Thea Hillman, Author of “Intersex (for lack of a better word)”
Thea Hillman, author of "Intersex (for lack of a better word)", is interviewed on the Diana Cage Show discussing being intersexed and the impact on queer identity.
Comments [8]
Thea Hillman is brilliant,
Thea Hillman is brilliant, sophisticated and sexy writer:
Here is a small sample of her writing :
"My body and the bodies of the people I love are the most intimate sites of American imperialism. Because our sex anatomy isn't normal, they operate on us without our consent. Because who we have sex with isn't normal, they won't let us get married. Because our gender isn't normal, they don't give us jobs, health care, or housing. We work, we pay rent, we pay taxes, but because we're not normal, we don't get the same freedoms other Americans enjoy, the same freedoms American soldiers are murdering to protect.
"Normal is a weapon of mass destruction. It's just as deadly, and just like those weapons, it'll never be found"
intersexed - wow great
intersexed - wow great subject. i think this is the first time I've seen this topic discussed on any board. Course I don't go out much(meaning I don't blog on many lgbt boards). I've read a few articles about this in the past and was aways horrified at the behavior of the alleged adults who should have been helping their children instead of hiding false shame.
We're all creatures of the universe - nuff said -
Authentic self - love that phrase. Wonderful concept.......
Unfortunately, sexuality and
Unfortunately, sexuality and gender aren't taught in schools because people believe that teaching sex makes kids have sex, teaching "alternative lifestyles" will make them gay. This kind of thinking is why anti-LGBT legislation passes so easily, while pro-LGBT legislation often takes decades. People simply do not want their kids to hear of such things, despite the fact that kids are probably already having sex, and at least experimenting with homosexuality, before the first sex-ed class is ever taught (if it is taught at all).
As far as statistics go, that's kind of hard to pin down. When I was born, gender ambiguity was rarely talked about, even in the medical community. Everything was done to hide anything not seen as strictly male or female, from surgical intervention to psychological brainwashing to abuse (ranging from humiliation to extreme violence). This leads to a self-perception that one must hide their true self in order to survive, true in most cases, which becomes a way of life. Much of the tactics and procedures used can be blamed on Dr. John Money, MD, who was a self proclaimed expert on gender in children. His theories and practices would lead to massive suffering for intersexed children that would last well into adulthood.
After going through all that, most who are intersexed, and even most who are transgender, rarely will admit to it.
That is definitely something
That is definitely something that needs to happen. I also think that it is vital that we start acknowledging individuals and families in the random moments and non-course interactions that are such a huge part of the public education system. Curriculum tout diversity, while district policy so often prohibits any professional from even acknowledging that Johnie want to be called Jone, or Sally has 2 moms. Little children need to see themselves and their families depicted in book and wall art before they are conscious of their differences.
Instead of openly validating these young children starting in preschool, caring educators are forced to find subtle ways to let them know that we are there for them, always knowing that we can get fired for even alluding to the possibility that normal everyday people may be experiencing these things. And Spirits know what might replace us.
The military is not the only place where this country has a very dangerous don't ask, don't tell policy.
Oh wow, I really need to
Oh wow, I really need to adjust my work schedule to catch your show more often! I love that you address these topics! It is so rare I even hear of anyone like myself.
Yep, gunna have to get this book.
good stuff, ladies!
good stuff, ladies!
Thanks, that was really
Thanks, that was really interesting. I went to the Intersex Society of North America website to learn more.
Civility is not a sign of weakness.
Good job highlighting
Good job highlighting intersex issues!
Seems to me that gender issues (intersexuality, transgenderism, homo- and bisexuality - you name it) need a more defined appearance in school curricula. If about 2% of folk are intersex and some 4-10% are some version of gay (stats are arguable) then probably every school contains gay and/or intersex kids. It seems unreasonable to teach any class on human sexual biology without including all of this.
And yet, when I went through school, nothing was taught on these issues in any biology or sex-ed class until college. Things are improving, but these issues still don't occupy 4-10% of most sex-ed curricula. If the next generation is not properly educated, then tomorrow's straight parents will still not know what to do with their gay/transgender/intersex kids and those kids will struggle on unrecognised and unsupported.