Intersex Advocates Push for End to Unnecessary Medical Interventions on Minors
Emory Hufbauer has lived with scars since infancy, remnants of a surgery that took away their fertility and ability to produce hormones. Described as intersex genital mutilation, this procedure was just the beginning of a series of medical interventions aimed at fitting Hufbauer into a gender binary. Despite the challenges, Hufbauer only learned the term “intersex” as a teenager and began advocating for themselves and others as an adult.
The intersex community is vast, with estimates suggesting that up to 1.7% of the global population have variations in their sex characteristics or reproductive anatomy. However, there is limited research on the experiences of intersex individuals, with reports indicating that nonconsensual medical interventions are common, often without medical necessity.
Hufbauer’s parents, like many others, regret consenting to these procedures pressured by healthcare providers. The lack of formal legislation in the U.S. specifically for intersex people has led to a legal landscape where bans on gender-affirming care for transgender minors make exceptions for intersex youth. These exceptions set a precedent for future laws and jurisdictions to follow suit, according to experts.
The inconsistency in allowing medical interventions on intersex infants while banning them for transgender adolescents has raised ethical concerns. Advocates highlight the long-term health challenges associated with early intersex interventions, including sexual dysfunction and chronic pain.
Calls to end unnecessary interventions for intersex minors have gained momentum, with support from international organizations like the United Nations and Amnesty International. Some medical institutions have already ceased performing certain procedures on intersex individuals, signaling a shift towards more ethical practices.
While data on the prevalence of nonconsensual procedures are limited, advocates remain hopeful that clinicians are moving towards eliminating such practices. The focus is now on healthcare providers rather than legislative battles, with faith in the medical community to uphold ethical standards.
As discussions around parental rights and medical interventions continue, the importance of respecting a child’s autonomy and bodily integrity remains paramount. While some state laws include exceptions for medically necessary reasons, critics argue that these carve-outs may prioritize societal norms over the best interests of the child.
In a political climate where federal initiatives aim to restrict gender-affirming care and define gender binaries, intersex individuals are particularly vulnerable. Any policy that narrows norms around sex and gender will impact the intersex community, emphasizing the need for inclusive and ethical healthcare practices.
