Gender seems the be one of the most sensitive and maybe controversial topics talked about today. I think it's difficult to understand it when the meaning seems to be changing at such a rapid pace. Thus, why I hope not to offend anyone with my thoughts or reactions towards the article, "Intersex, and Erased Again". It's challenging for me to relate to gender issues or even feel like I get a say in them because I never struggled with my identity. I can't imagine that what the author went through was easy, as she talks about the issues intersex people face today. What confused me, however, is when she seemed upset that doctors and her parents chose her gender when she was a baby. At that age, how is a newborn supposed to vocalize how they choose to identify? It didn't make sense to me. I can understand getting to choose your gender as you're older, and you should have the luxury to do as you please, but when you are just born and can't speak, think, or depend on anyone else but your parents, how can you choose your gender?
I can see why she's concerned about the Trump administration wanting to make the the definition of gender be limited to male, female, and unchangeable, especially since she does not fit into simply one of those categories. It's concerning, especially for intersex people who are faced with have both male and female parts. I suppose the article broadened my perspective towards the issue a little more.
Hi Briana: It was my reading of the article that the author was arguing: Why couldn't she be allowed to grow up intersex? At a certain point, she'd be able to decide what gender she felt most comfortable with. Our society is so binaristic: You're either this or that. But if we think of gender as fluid, then there's no need to do surgery or make a child take hormones b/c she's already "normal."
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