This is an interview with an intersex person, who shares their experiences, struggles, and thoughts on being intersex. They discuss how they were born with ambiguous genitalia and underwent non-consensual surgery as a child to "normalize" their body. The interviewee talks about the lack of education and understanding about intersex people, even within the medical community, and the importance of social education and awareness.
They share their personal experiences with fetishization, dating, and relationships, as well as their feelings about their body and identity. The interviewee also discusses the goals of the intersex community, including ending non-consensual surgeries and increasing representation and inclusion.
Throughout the conversation, the interviewee highlights the importance of understanding the difference between intersex and trans identities, and the need for more intersex representation and support. They also share their love for being intersex, citing the freedom to challenge people's perspectives and embody multiple categories.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The interviewee, Matthew, has partial androgen insensitivity syndrome, which affects how their body responds to testosterone.
2. Matthew was born with a penis and a pseudo-vagina opening, but the opening was closed through non-consensual cosmetic surgery.
3. Matthew uses she/her and they/them pronouns.
4. Matthew discovered they were intersex at the age of 18, after experiencing weight loss and gain, and were diagnosed with partial androgen insensitivity syndrome.
5. Matthew grew breasts at the age of 10 and still has them.
6. Matthew prefers to use the women's restroom but avoids using public restrooms.
7. Matthew has been fetishized for being intersex, particularly when they did sex work.
8. Matthew believes that non-consensual intersex surgeries should be ended, and that children should be able to wait until the age of consent before undergoing surgery.
9. Matthew thinks that more people are intersex than is commonly realized, and that there are many different intersex traits.
10. The intersex community is working to end non-consensual intersex surgeries and to increase social education about intersex issues.
11. Matthew believes that intersex people are often erased in the medical field, and that doctors may not know what intersex means or how to care for intersex patients.
12. Matthew thinks that PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) may be considered an intersex trait, as it affects hormone production and reproduction.
13. Matthew believes that intersex affects every aspect of their life, including paperwork and daily interactions.
14. Intersex people often get the least funding out of the LGBTQ+ community, despite being a marginalized group.
15. Matthew thinks that the gender identity discourse is becoming more mainstream, but that it will also push back against cultural norms.