queerbodies.org

Caitlin · Joined: 31 Jul 2003 Posts: 2 Location: Atlanta, GA

Hey folks. I thought I would introduce myself. My name is Caitlin. I am a 20 year old intersexed person. I am currently living in Atlanta, GA. I came out as being intersexed after my 18th birthday. This was one I learned that a condition I had been diagnosed with at 15 was indeed an intersexed condition. Since then I have been involved in intersexed activism and I hope to continue to do so in the future.

So yeah, that is a little about me. I hope to hear from so other folks out there and see this board pick up a bit.

Caitlin

cougar9mc · Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Posts: 4 Location: Texas

Hey Caitlin, I am 19, (almost 20), I am intersexed living in Houston, TX. I just had a question for you. How did you come out as being intersexed? Why did you come out? Also, what kind of intersexed activism have you been in? (I know, I ask a lot of questions!)

Thanx,

Monica

Caitlin · Joined: 31 Jul 2003 Posts: 2 Location: Atlanta, GA

Hey Monica. I actually just emailed you

Anyway, when I came out about being intersexed it was because I was basically fed up of being silent. I was tired and hurt about comments people made and assumptions people make about people's bodies. I was sick of feeling like I had this dirty secret I had to be ashamed of. I basically just started confronting people on these and found it extremely empowering.

At the time, I had already been pretty involved in various forms of radical activism for some time. So, to be open and visible on this issue seemed like the natural thing for me to do. Shortly after finding out that MRKH is an intersexed condition, I (with my parter) developed a workshop to educate non-intersexed people about intersex issues. We started out by doing the workshop at a feminist conference in Athens, GA. The workshop was amazing and after telling my story outloud to a group of people, I felt an enormous weight lifted off my shoulders. Also, the response was wonderful. Almost everyone who came to the workshop spoke with me afterwards and everyone was really supportive.

After that, we just kept doing the workshop at various conferences. I eventually got in touch with Betsy from Bodies and I went with her and other folks from Bodies to a queer youth conference in Connecticut in March. We did several workshops there that all went really well. This was also my first time meeting other intersexed folks in person (that I knew of) and that was also a really healing experience for me.

Anyway, I have been talking alot about myself so I am going to stop. I hope that answered your questions.

Caitlin

Shodan · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 2:11 am Post subject: Amen, Testify!

Just kiddin, I'm not the religious type,

I haven't decided what to do yet, I'm still in a limbo phase I reckon,
but the idea of "coming out" does appeal to me in all honesty.

Labels like homo & hetero can't really apply to us. I visited a website and someonw labelled themselves GenderF***, I liked that.
One of my friends said I was a natural born bisexual, she thought she was being cute, so i threw a tissue box at her, Lol.

PS. Am I allowed to swear in here? Will I offend anyone? I have a lot of F word tension built up!
_________________
- Shodan