Peter
04-15-05, 12:40 PM
The San Francisco Human Rights Commission meeting last night on 4/14/05 went well. Many intersex rights supporters from a wide range of groups were there. Public testimony in support of the work of the intersex task force was extensive. A motion passed that the report get final approval at the next 4/28/05 commission meeting. Reports have to be approved under a two consecutive meeting process. Here is part of what I said to the commission:
"As you know by now, my name is Peter Trinkl, and I am Board Chair of Bodies Like Ours, an organization dedicated to providing information and support for the intersex community. For the last couple of months, we have been patiently waiting for Dr. Baskin to present additional testimony, including the testimony of patients happy with past surgeries for intersex conditions. At this point, the existence of such patient support for Dr. Baskin’s surgical practices has not been given to this commission, and must be considered purely speculative. This is not an uncommon occurrence. Often doctors and the parents of intersex children, who work in the area of intersex care, believe that there is a vast “silent majority” of intersex people who are happy with the treatment decisions made without the informed consent of the intersex child. However, when asked for confirming testimony by journalists and, in this case, this commission, the intersex people fail to appear.
In my experience, the culture of shame and secrecy surrounding our lives is totally unacceptable. It is not acceptable that being born with ambiguous genitals is often considered a “social emergency” requiring early surgical intervention. It is not acceptable that the human rights of intersex children for bodily integrity are often ignored. I believe in a cautious approach to the care of intersex children. I believe that requirements for informed consent by the intersex person should be strengthened. I believe that it was not a mistake to be born with an intersex body. We are part of the diversity of the natural world, and you have heard testimony from Dr. Joan Roughgarden, one of the world’s top biologists, that support this view.
The Human Rights Commission, the LGBTAC, the Intersex Task Force have considered the proposed report at length. I recommend final approval of the Intersex Task Force Report."
Peter
"As you know by now, my name is Peter Trinkl, and I am Board Chair of Bodies Like Ours, an organization dedicated to providing information and support for the intersex community. For the last couple of months, we have been patiently waiting for Dr. Baskin to present additional testimony, including the testimony of patients happy with past surgeries for intersex conditions. At this point, the existence of such patient support for Dr. Baskin’s surgical practices has not been given to this commission, and must be considered purely speculative. This is not an uncommon occurrence. Often doctors and the parents of intersex children, who work in the area of intersex care, believe that there is a vast “silent majority” of intersex people who are happy with the treatment decisions made without the informed consent of the intersex child. However, when asked for confirming testimony by journalists and, in this case, this commission, the intersex people fail to appear.
In my experience, the culture of shame and secrecy surrounding our lives is totally unacceptable. It is not acceptable that being born with ambiguous genitals is often considered a “social emergency” requiring early surgical intervention. It is not acceptable that the human rights of intersex children for bodily integrity are often ignored. I believe in a cautious approach to the care of intersex children. I believe that requirements for informed consent by the intersex person should be strengthened. I believe that it was not a mistake to be born with an intersex body. We are part of the diversity of the natural world, and you have heard testimony from Dr. Joan Roughgarden, one of the world’s top biologists, that support this view.
The Human Rights Commission, the LGBTAC, the Intersex Task Force have considered the proposed report at length. I recommend final approval of the Intersex Task Force Report."
Peter