Comment

Comment by Daniel Wachenheim on May 13, 2012 at 5:13pm

Newsweek wants some readers...

Comment by Daniel Wachenheim on May 13, 2012 at 9:58am

DG I agree it is telling that a schizophrenic person so clearly embodies the homophobic mindset. Almost gives me compassion for Michelle Bachmann.  Almost.

*

Also I agree if there are valid medical reasons for a surgery, that needs to be considered.  From my limited reading, most is not for that - removing a clitoris actually is FGM, even if it's an intersex child.  I would be living a life of anger.  Once it's gone, it's gone.  I would not want to think of life without my boy-parts, even if they were unusual.  A generous sized clitoris should not interfere with urination.  Hypospadias can be a hygeine issue so may need correction in some way.  My concern is if most of the surgeries are forced conformity to a rigid gender standard.  It leads me to think psychological injuries may be greater than the cosmetic "benefit", and need to be respected. 

Comment by Daniel Wachenheim on May 13, 2012 at 9:25am

The "Crazy Nebraska Lady" really was mentally ill.

Comment by Daniel Wachenheim on May 13, 2012 at 8:28am

VeganTiger, thank you for engaging this discussion. I think it is much better to have the people who are most affected by the topic, to describe your experience.  My own thoughts, which are only partially informed, are-

People seem to expect a rigid conformity where nature is more diverse.  Rather than forcing people into that conformity, we should let them decide.

Societies like to do bad things to genitals.  What is done to intersex babies is far, far more than circumcision.  Given the passion around discussions of circumcision, it's hard for me to accept that societies, parents, doctors can't just wait and let the individual decide what they want, as adults.

Even though people may mean well when they do genital surgery, is it really so bad to just let children grow up to become themselves?  Why not let society become re-educated and learn that diversity does not make someone a "freak", but rather provides an alternative way of being? 

People should just accept one another and understand that not everyone feels or thinks the same things, but there is a universality in being human and wanting to love and be loved, and feel passion and connection to others.

Comment by vegantiger on May 12, 2012 at 10:53pm

>>>Let me elaborate: Bob was an intersexed baby, and his parents >>>chose to make him a boy. As an adult Bob feels he should have >>>been a woman. But if Bob HAD NOT been intersexed, would he >>>have grown up as a transsexual anyhow? We can never know >>>for sure.

 

I would have to say yes, we do know for sure. Bob would grow up to be a transsexual whether he was born intergendered, completely male, or anything in-between. The problem is at the time of the hormone bath the baby gets. Whatever goes wrong is still unclear, but several causative factors have been identified such as contaminated water containing chemicals, drugs, etc., legal or illegal drugs the mother consumes during pregnancy, environmental factors such as radiation leaks, cell phone towers on apartment buildings, etc., etc., long list regarding these issues.

 

The one issue I DO question if society knows the answer to is would most people grow up homosexual or pansexual given the chance? It's hilarious when religious people say "just look at nature". What about it? The rest of the animals in the world have sex whenever they want, wherever they want, with whomever they want and I think that shows what mankind is capable of doing as well. Of course we have laws of "decency" regarding where we have sex, but personally, I think most people would be open to experimenting with everyone if they were raised in an open society.

Comment by vegantiger on May 12, 2012 at 10:45pm

I was born intergendered/intersexed and would love to add to the discussion. My wife and I just moved so I haven't been commenting much lately. Thanks for posting the video. It was actually one of the first ones I saw to describe what I felt was wrong with me all along but didn't have the words to express it other than praying I would wake up from this nightmare one day as a boy. I remember crying a lot and then getting very, very angry. I studied all about transgender issues for the next two years finally finding out from my mom that I was operated on at birth and made into a girl. They are claiming to be stopping this practice and at least choosing male for children so surgery is not so difficult. It's easier to make a girl than a boy. I certainly blame religion for trying to make a two gender society and doctors acting like gods to make sure. More and more evidence is suggesting there are certainly more than two genders. Only time will tell if humanity can be properly educated to include more terminology so everyone can feel accepted as human beings instead of being treated like trashy, sub-human, freaks. I know not everyone is happy calling it a birth defect, but it feels that way for me and seems easier to explain to others in that manner as well as getting insurance companies to cover it like any other birth defect would be. I can say from experience that it would be much better to leave children alone and let them tell their parents what gender they are since that occurs as soon as two years old; just not make it mandatory that they choose a gender. Some countries now have a third gender or at least an "other" category which is nice. In one way I wish this had never happened to me and yet I've learned so much about humanity, life, people, gender differences/samenesses, hormones, etc. It's an interesting journey. I'm still not complete surgically but I'm just starting my bottom surgeries this month; finally! I've been "transitioning" for over 10 years now; hate that word because I've always known I was male. Still have several years to go with surgeries but I'm relieved it's now here! If anyone has questions, I'd be happy to answer them! :-)

Comment by The Flying Atheist on May 12, 2012 at 8:21pm

Not my apartment.  I'm much more old school.  I actually have a Victrola and View Masters for my guests to enjoy.  

Comment by Daniel Wachenheim on May 12, 2012 at 8:02pm

Im just shocked!  The book case appears to contain record albums and VCR Tapes.  I bet they're betamax.  Oh the horror!

On a better note, the baby blue does flatter your eyes.

Comment by The Flying Atheist on May 12, 2012 at 7:39pm

Me on the right in my silly mid-twenties. 

Comment by The Flying Atheist on May 12, 2012 at 7:27pm

P.S. Joan.  If I were to dress in drag, I'd much prefer Oxfords.  I don't do very well in heels. 

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