LGBTQI: The I Does Not Mean Invisible

Above: The Intersex flag, created by Organisation Intersex International (OII) Australia in 2013.

Scenario 1: “It’s a boy!” They scream in elation surrounded in a sea of blue baby paraphernalia as the father kids about his future footy star.

Scenario 2: “It’s a girl!” A small child lies hidden beneath layers of pink swaddle and is held like a delicate flower as the mother plans a future of dance recitals and dress ups.

For centuries, society has had two very distinctive squares for everyone to fit into: male or female. There’s a problem with this and our generation is challenging this archaic thinking. Life isn’t that simple nor are people. Our bodies and our minds are complex and diverse.

A recent report from the Human Rights Commission has found that more than 70 per cent of LGBTQI individuals have been attacked, bullied or harassed in their lifetime. Whilst figures such as Caitlyn Jenner and Laverne Cox are helping us to re-evaluate our understanding of gender and sexuality, as well as combating that persecution, there is another group of individuals we completely ignore.

You are probably well aware of the term “LGBTQI” however, many of us completely disregard the “I” on the end. The “I” does not mean invisible: it stands for intersex. Intersex is not a new term. Statistics would suggest approximately 1 out of 2000 are intersex, however, this community is widely under-represented and marginalised.

According to OII Australia, “Intersex people are born with atypical physical sex characteristics.” This could mean that your genitalia, gonads, chromosomes, or reproductive systems don’t fit a singular gender assignment. The endless combinations and diverse arrangement of sexual anatomy all fall under the umbrella of intersex. Transgender and intersex are often confused. Transgender refers to an individual who does not conform to the gender associated with their sex, whereas intersex is wholly based on physical characteristics.

“Oh… so they are hermaphrodites?” No, they are not. Derived from the story of Greek god, Hermaphroditus, who is turned into a half-male/ half female, this word is derogative and grossly outdated. That myth and this word contributes to the half/half mindset and suggests that intersexuality is unnatural, which is just not true.

The intersex community isn’t discussed nearly as much as their friends in the LGBTQI initialism. Whilst the transgender community are fighting for gender reassignment surgery, the intersex community are often fighting against surgery. Some doctors will perform “normalising” surgery on intersex people with little to no medical reasoning. There have been cases where intersex people have been lied to, denied their medical records or not given medically accurate information purely. As President of Organisation Intersex International Australia Morgan Carpenter wrote for The Drum in 2013, “When we can't even define what constitutes ‘normal’, we shouldn't be performing surgeries on infants to make them conform to gender preconceptions.”

Several organisations are working hard in Australia to educate, empower and bring awareness to the intersex community such as OII Australia and AISSG Australia. Activism and advocacy is essential to lifting stigma and enabling Intersex people to live their truths. Who are we to deny anyone the ability to live life happily?

Scenario 3: “It’s a beautiful healthy child!” The family smile lovingly and let their intersex child express their gender in whichever way they please.

Cassie Ngurah is one of Student Edge’s student contributors. Learn more about our contributors program.