Personal Stories About Being Intersex

Our stories are varied, but often the threads are common. One of the biggest issues that is heard from others like us is regarding the shame and secrecy that surrounded being born with a unique body. One issue confronted often is we thought we were the only one.

"No one else is like us," or so we are often led to believe.

But that's not true. We are many, and we have many stories to share. Some of the common threads are isolation, inability to trust, shame, and confusion. The medical community has historically kept many truths of genital ambiguity from the patient and their families. Many in the medical community continue to hide the truth for reasons that are as varied as ourselves. Their aim was, and often still claimed to be protection for all involved even though that promotes only shame and secrecy.

The facts and outcomes are complicated and as varied as each individual born with ambiguous genitalia.

This is a personal space where you can learn about others with bodies like ours, and share you own story. Whether you born with atypical genitals, or love someone who was, have a child born this way, or a member of the medical community, this is a place for you to read of other's experiences and share your own. Learning often is preceeded by sharing and listening. It is hoped you will do both here.

Please note that none of the people who have written stuff here are medical providers and nothing should be construed as medical advice--it's all written from a personal perspective and may include impossible information like implying that people with intersex can self-impregnate.

Share your story with the world.  Click here for more information.



Gender and Orientation Issues Overlap
JimCostich
© Jim Costich 2003
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An Intersexed Man’s Musings on Taking Our Place at the Table
JimCostich
©Jim Costich 2003. Reprinted with permission of the author.
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Claiming Intersex Sexuality
JimCostich
©James Costich December, 2002. Reprinted with permission of the author.
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An Intersex Primer: The Physical Aspect of Intersex
JimCostich
©2003 Jim Costich
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An Intersex Primer: Our Lives
JimCostich
Jim Costich ©2003
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The Life of The Party
JimCostich
Jim Costich ©2003
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Happy Father's Day To Me
JimCostich
Jim Costich ©2003
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...But Now I Have to Scream
JimCostich
 Jim Costich ©2003
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About Jim Costich
JimCostich

    Jim Costich gets an entire category to himself as he is such a prolific writer. Jim is an intersexed activist in upstate NY. He speaks and writes frequently about being intersexed. We hope you find strength from reading his wonderful essays on what it means to be intersexed.


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Jon's Story
Adult's Stories
Jon tells about discovering in middle age the truth that was kept from him in childhood.
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Janet's Story
Adult's Stories

Janet Green, under the pseudonym of Dandara Hill, contributed her story to an issue of NOW Times shortly after they passed a resolution against cosmetic genital surgery.

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Fr. Spencer John's Story
Adult's Stories

Spencer has a riveting story

 

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Missing Vagina Dialogue
Adult's Stories
Read the Missing Vagina Dialogue on the site of the author, Esther Morris Leidolf, http://www.mrkh.org
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Adult Women with Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome
Adult's Stories
Soundprint's radio piece from 09/03/2004 by Dheera Sujan features interviews with a group of women with AIS. Listen on-line. You will need real player to listen.
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Caitlin's Story
Teen Stories

Caitlin is a couple of years older now and does some speaking for Bodies Like Ours.  She was a teenager when she wrote this.

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Deb's Story
Parents' Stories
Deb Hartman is a well known activist-parent in the intersex advocacy movement.  This is a link to an article that was printed in NOW Times.    Visit Deb and Kell online at  their own website.
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Julia's Story
Parents' Stories

Julia, the mom of a little girl with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia retells the emotional rollercoaster she went through when her daughter was born.

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