Ethics and Intersex People

​A 2023 Gender and Politics study by PRRI found that half of Americans feel strongly that there are only two genders. Science, and the diverse experiences of intersex individuals, tells us otherwise. Experts estimate that up to 1.7 percent of people are born with intersex traits, meaning their biological sex does not neatly fit into typical definitions of either male or female.
While we generally think of female as a genetic “XX” and male as “XY,” there are many variations in chromosomal combinations, hormonal patterns, reproductive organs, and anatomy. So far, medical professionals have identified over 40 intersex variations, with more being discovered as science advances.
For many years, the medical community has defaulted to involuntary “corrective” surgeries for intersex infants and children, conducting non-lifesaving procedures to change natural variations in genital appearance or reproductive anatomy. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights supports bans on these types of surgeries.
According to the Trevor Project, mental health challenges among intersex youth are disproportionately high compared to LGBTQ youth who are not intersex. interACT, an advocacy organization for intersex youth, has a great resource for therapists that underscores the person-centered and strengths-based approaches that are integral to social work, while providing additional context on lived experiences.
For more context on individual experiences, the documentary Every Body (2023) tells the stories of three intersex individuals and discusses the harmful physical and mental effects of these surgeries. Additionally, intersex activist Pidgeon Pagonis published a memoir last year, Nobody Needs to Know.
It's important for social workers to understand this context as we advocate for the dignity and worth of each person, and their right to self- determination. Whether we are working with clients with intersex traits, or with parents as they navigate caring for a child who is intersex, we need to be aware that individuals who are intersex face unique challenges.