Intersexuality: How Cultural Expectations, Medical Innovations and Language Created the Perception of Variant Genitalia as a Disorder The Multiple Factors: First, history of intersexuality and medical/technological innovations. Second, cultural factors that affect perceptions of intersex.  Third, linguistic factors and language theories. he Intersex flag was created by Organisation Intersex International Australia in July 2013 to create a flag "that is not derivative, but is yet firmly grounded in meaning". The organisation aimed to create a symbol without gendered pink and blue colors. It describes yellow and purple as the "hermaphrodite" colors. The organisation describes it as freely available "for use by any intersex person or organisation who wishes to use it, in a human rights affirming community context" Maybe make note saying references upon request ** , identification The codifying of intersexuality as a disorder did not save lives, create normal functioning, promote individual well-being or integration into society. if not for a confluence of linguistic factors, medical innovations, and cultural expectations and biases. Surgical and medical innovations have empowered physicians with the tools to transform these labeled individuals according to culturally established expectations and norms of gender Victoria Goldman University of Pennsylvania Health and Societies Honors Thesis Advisor: Ann Greene Thesis Statement: The convergence of medical innovations, contemporary western cultural expectations, and linguistic factors, such as labeling, resulted in the codifying of the variance of intersexuality as a disorder. 1 in 1,500/2,000 born intersex C) Linguistic Factors  Health care professionals helped codify intersexuality as a disorder through use of labels A) Historical Context Intersexuality replaced hermaphrodite in 1930s Abnormal Deviant Timeline of Medical and Technological Innovations Hermaphrodite Gender: often based on cultural and social characteristics Male or Female Sex: generally refers to biological characteristics of the individual During middle ages, gender assignment occurred but no medical intervention Prior to 1800s, intersex seen as not a medical problem but a variation in nature Disorders of Sex Development Intersex Gender nonconforming Intersex: a variety of conditions an individual can be born with where “reproductive or sexual anatomy doesn’t seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male.” 19th century: Formalized medical schools and medical education impart power, authority, and trust to physicians Sapir Whorf Hypothesis Diagnosis becomes identity Emergence of common practice of urology and gynecology in 19th century Categorization From having a difference to being different 1852: 1st case of “normalizing, corrective” genital surgery in U.S. Disorder: a disruption of normal physical or mental functions; a disease or abnormal condition Mid-late 1800s: introduction of anesthesia, laparotomies, antisepsis, aesepsis Early 20th century: genital surgery on infants 1 in 100 have bodies differing from culturally defined standards of male and female 1990s: Still seen as “easier to dig a hole then build a pole” Vaginal construction/reconstruction surgeries are needed multiple times in 80% of cases Intersex Flag The Factors An aversion to homosexuality A cultural striving for normality and a yearning for perfection The desire to understand through categorization and labeling The existence of a binary sex system The ability to surgically “correct” this variance B) Cultural Factors Western culture of the past three centuries has had major effect on how we perceive and treat individuals who do not fit societal standards 1 or 2 in 1,000 receive “normalizing” genital surgery Gender Binary Intersexuality linked to homosexuality Yet… Size of body parts and appearance connected to sexuality There is a lack of consensus on standard or average genital appearance among health care professionals Homophobia Surgical intervention on infants violates at least three of the four principles of medical ethics: non-malfeasance, autonomy, justice Parents blamed for nonconforming child Androcentricity Other variations have been codified as disorders, following the same pattern of intersexuality Perfectionism Knowledge lacking or distorted Conclusion: Instead of “fixing” these individuals, the accepted Western cultural views of narrowly defined, two-gender society needs fixing.