A different kind of superpower: what it means to be intersex | Susannah Temko | TEDxLondon

[@anacaeiro1049]

To any intersex people in here, you do have a place in this world, a special strong one.

[@skyblanket4000]

[@anacaeiro1049]

@@skyblanket4000

[@sam15342]

@Ana Caeiro

[@anacaeiro1049]

@@sam15342

[@Phoonguy]

It is a scary world , I wish I could speak to an intersex person about my life as an intersex person

[@SharonEveSmith]

"The truth is that love, acceptance and refusing to bathe that child in shame will protect them more than trying to fix something that isn't broken" Omg, that is so powerful

[@kristinaturner7318]

I can’t wait to watch this with the rest of my family, my middle kiddo is intersex and also views it as their superpower and just another beautiful expression of being human. We too were told they would not be happy without surgery but Thanks to intersex people speaking out even 12 years ago I was able to educate myself as a parent and respect my child’s autonomy. I love what you said to parents and this whole Tedx talk is fantastic, thank you for your vulnerability ❤️

[@susannahtemko9839]

This is so wonderful.

[@MarieBrueck]

@@susannahtemko9839 yes, indeed.. I wonder how you do that, I keep loosing my voice & start sobbing, talking to even small audiences about my gender dysphoria, and not really less past transitioning.. but now the tears come from disappointments around society, despite of finally feeling right tho

[@Marilyn_Monster]

Well, im glad my parents gave me the surgery.

[@danreitan2506]

Brilliant talk; awesome comment. The topic is relatively new to me, but I learned a lot. Thanks. You both sound brave.

[@elyanabela1397]

Im intersex thank for you for being so loving

[@ronniec99]

I am not intersex but thank you so much for teaching me a new way of living that I wasn't aware of. The intersex community deserves to be seen and heard and respected 100%, you're no different from anyone else.

[@aliciamcdonald7105]

She IS different but EQUAL to ANY OTHER HUMAN BEING and should be looked at and treated as such.

[@Rick-tt6yq]

I am not intersex but I am glad these discussions and presentations are available. I am sorry for all of the humiliation you have endured and am grateful for your courage to help us understand intersex. I am in my early 60’s now and I think it has only been over the past decade or so that intersex has become (...and I am not sure of the right term here...) recognized or appreciated or ?? by the public at large. I am probably wrong on that but so be it, I can only speak from my own experience. As with most major shifts in our society, change has been the result of a few courageous folks who stood tall and proud and helped us understand things we could not, or perhaps would not, see. Bless you for opening our eyes, minds and hearts.

[@marshalbenjamins7891]

Nice presentation, I am intersex. Africa is still very low on intersex awareness, like in my country Nigeria, some communities kill intersex babies. I wish more could be done to educate the society like Nigeria on intersex.

[@kennethmaye]

Omg

[@kingjoshbillionz]

Can we meet or exchange contacts? You can send me a mail so we can be in touch. Thanks

[@zusanneahlin3046]

I think people must educate their self ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@personincognito3989]

Oh my goodness. Lack of education causes fear.

[@nicolekenna5193]

I had a delayed puberty that was found to to be caused by a chromosomal disorder, and I will always remember the taunts that labeled me not as a "she" or a "he" - but as an "it." I consider myself cis, but I argue against the idea of a rigid binary because it helps no one and erases all the people in between. THANK YOU so much for your talk.

[@iren66ful]

As a blessed mom, raising a superpowered kid like you, thank you from my heart for spreading the word out, so acurate, so gentle and fearless, a million thanks! 💛💜💛✌️

[@EllieRose1997]

I am also intersex.. I am transitioning to female and had surgery when I was little, I was raised as male.

[@MarieBrueck]

yay you can do it!! *cheers you up*

[@lindewhocares1353]

Hi Ellie, I was also raised as a male. I am "XX male", but developed female. i live as a happy woman for quite soe time now, back to my XX roots!

[@elyanabela1397]

Im anabela me too yeeeee

[@fahrlight]

I’m born intersex and this makes me so happy !!!

[@muvuraluc1325]

Me too

[@elyanabela1397]

Me too it feels go to say im Elyanabela every time yeah us!!!!

[@sam15342]

me too🤗

[@jesserandall9549]

Great speech! All intersex people have a place in this world! Like everyone else, they have a right to exist! Thank you for speaking up!

[@markm2348]

Yes even unwanted not yet born babies

[@atlantic_love]

@@markm2348 Clown show is that way 👉👉👉

[@lisabrockway7836]

42 years old and I didn't know there was a title for me. Also didn't know that there are so many people like me. As prevalent as redheads. So true that they never counsel or educate you about it. Interesting. Thank you.

[@beccastell6439]

Agreed, Lisa. As an endocrine patient any discussion of intersex identity was taboo yet hormones control every aspect of our endocrine system! It appalls me that we are told so little - I learnt more from the internet about hypogonadism and CAH than I ever have from my endocrine teams!

[@30110CKs]

We worked this out the other day, my blood group is rarer than your variation, as are heterochromic (bi-coloured) eyes. Downs syndrome is just an everyday thing at 1 in 700. It's just crazy what society chooses to declare "wrong".

[@margotfitsch1443]

@@30110CKs Are you AB Negative?

[@30110CKs]

@@margotfitsch1443 B neg @ 1.5%, so depends on exactly what you what estimate you pick, but basically similar numbers. AB neg is 0.6%

[@chrishellmax]

I too am intersex. It is hard to explain to those that are locked int the binary thinking that xy and xx is not the only parts of the spectrum. Its like they are locked into the contraints and have no way to see beyond it. Even my sister who have known me my whole life still denies it. Thank you for such a great speech.

[@jadegruhn7257]

You're a wonderful speaker and powerful voice for equality. It's a shame that this is not more widely talked about or accepted and I thank you for doing your best to change that.

[@williamkidd3207]

Well done. Excellent presentation. I too was born intersex and have lived (xx chromosomes) for the past 70 years not fitting in and ashamed of who I am.

[@susannahtemko9839]

Thank you

[@meerderworter9192]

Thank you for sharing! XOXY!

[@MarieBrueck]

*hugs you tight*

[@williamkidd3207]

Marie Brueck 🤗🤗💜💜

[@Fluffi_Bunni]

46 Years XXY here, it's a journey isn't it?

[@JimmiAlli]

Intersex rocks! No one should be operated on without consent of the person, unless to save their lives.

[@ClaudiaReneFuentes]

Brought tears to my eyes. I am not intersex but it sounds absolutely beautiful. I am inspired.

[@peaceandparty]

Quite the amazing speech! One of the best ,if not- the best TED talk intersex speeches. I have waited years and decades for a speaker who is precise concise informative and calmly captivates an audience to promote intersex awareness and educate the world about who we are....how we fit in and how we can help alleviate the restrictions on everybody based on simplistic binary thinking! 5 years an activist- thanks for being a part of the intersex education mission! 💚💛💜

[@hugheaston7598]

Wow! Very well presented! You're a great advocate for intersex people!

[@susannahtemko9839]

Thank you!

[@claudiacristerna1538]

Thanks for speaking out, the world 🌎 needs compassion and empathy

[@aliciamcdonald7105]

I sooooo appreciate this and wish that more people AROUND THE WORLD would educate themselves about this very important topic. I love that this person says that I LOVE MY LIFE. You go girl!

[@30110CKs]

She'd been terrified of doing that, what an incredibly brave young lady.

[@davefisher1840]

Wonderful. I completely support, accept, and respect you!!!

[@eliweber735]

I am intersexe also, and your speach inspired me, thank you so much

[@koregi7436]

Well said Susannah, none of our lives are free of issues. To me, we all, and I do me all of us, are the same, human beings, acceptable, lovable, valuable, needed, with needs, none of us are different or above or less than anyone else, I wish that we would all learn this and start to live it as soon as possible.Thank you for your talk, I wish I could express my gratitude more deeply and more meaningfully.

[@beccastell6439]

@Susannah Temko this talk was what I have been looking for to heal the memories and shame of medicalisation which came rushing back with the recent JK Rowling comments. It is incredibly difficult if you've faced forced procedures or invasive and undignified medical situations while young to even realise that what is being done is coercion or abuse let alone fight it. Empowering and compassionate and so much calmer than most of us can be when faced with injustice!

[@anastasiaborissova4622]

Stumbled to this randomly. It was beautiful and loved your story

[@elvnprince]

So articulate, passionate, and courageous. Wonderful!

[@ylangylang1088]

Why can’t humans accept the truth ! EVERYTHING EXISTS IN GRADIENTS

[@VittamarFasuthAkbin]

why do you ask? Everything exists in gradients. Even those people who disagree with you

[@ylangylang1088]

I just felt it necessary to put that out there

[@dibaldgyfm9933]

@@ylangylang1088 :: Of course, that is OK. And actually it is a GOOD reminder! ❤

[@MaddesG1]

status quo was meant to be broken

[@everettknight9488]

I have alot to learn 💯 I feel awful not educating myself on this important message,my apologies,it's a beautiful world with all of us in it, thank you 🌹.

[@speedrefuge]

Thank you Louis Armstrong!

[@aliciamcdonald7105]

@everettknight9488 Oh boy! I was JUST like you and after I was educated on this topic, I felt soooo ashamed of myself. I believe humanity would be better off if we do one thing and that is to understand that as life goes on, there is much we as human beings need to LEARN, UNLEARN and RELEARN.

[@speedrefuge]

@@aliciamcdonald7105 I had meant my reply as a compliment, referring to your statement in your sentence 'Beautiful World' which is to be a inspirational song by Luis Armstrong. I am born with a intersex condition myself. 💛💜

[@aliciamcdonald7105]

@@speedrefuge You have mistaken me for the OP. I too was responding to the OP and was more or less commiserating and agreeing with them.

[@speedrefuge]

@@aliciamcdonald7105 I know, I have seen that right after I have replied. I thought I would leave my replied to show people it is okay to be imperfect is to be apart of life.

[@rhezzz]

Thank you for this 💖🌷 very heartfelt and honest. For People out there intersex babies are 1.7% of births. Which means pretty much 2 out of a 100 babies are born intersex . I dont get WHY THIS ISNT taught in school systems. It is a fact of life and is NOT a disorder anymore than being male or female presenting at birth is. Its all nature expressing itself in body form, which is, however she damn pleases, screw you humans for trying to box all her creations and some weird and restricting criteria. Thanks again for this video. Your voice is SOOO APPRECIATED 🌷

[@marloweirvine6740]

So powerfully, beautiful a statement. Thank you for your bravery. (A SIS man moved to tears as his understanding of humanity is expanded.)

[@Thesilenceiswhere]

Oh my god. You have touched my heart. How do we know we’re different from what is considered normal in the first place? We all bleed red blood. Thank you for sharing. You are very very brave and others need you to raise them up. Your an angel!

[@sarahloughhead7019]

What a powerful contribution. I also can't believe she is even able to talk about JK Rowling with a smile on her face after her vile comments on "Biology states that there are only two sexes".

[@theresahynes8478]

I am 63 and never told and lied to about “the scar” and surgery at 1.5 years old..Ignored and told I was wrong when I voiced my desires and likes and disliked. I have no idea what to do now. Did I miss the time? Can I resolve my shame?

[@antonvinther31]

Amazing speech, so well done and so important. Sending so much love to you Susannah Temko, and to all other intersex people.

[@gratitudealways9836]

She is amazing. A great speaker and communicator. I am happy that she is doing so well.

[@NancyCronk]

My heart goes out to the millions of intersex people who have been oppressed, abused, marginalized, misunderstood, mutilated and assaulted. You are perfect the way you are made.

[@jodiefindlay2129]

Absolutely incredible. So informative! She's amazing!!!

[@asmaaabdelaal3119]

Thank you that was inspirational I'm intersex too

[@elyanabela1397]

Me toooooo yeeeeee

[@bubblybull2463]

Very powerful speech! I wish you and all intersex people a better, kinder, more understanding world around them. Humans are supposed to be an ingelligent species: it’s about time we show jow much!

[@MFM230]

The first KZbin video I saw on this topic was with a young woman named Katie in an interview with Oprah. It was very informative.

[@intersexgreece7330]

Powerfull, inspirational knowledge, very well spoken! Thank you!

[@JimmiAlli]

Susannah we love you.

[@niadhf]

Thank you.

[@AlineMascarenhas]

Thanks so much for this TEDx!

[@cy-taku3952]

Well this is going to help alot in my debate in class

[@farzadarafjamil411]

Brave and enlightening

[@Holy_Glaive]

Ty for this! We need more representation as well as awareness! ❤️❤️

[@edw8889]

Thank you

[@flow_dojo]

🌹im intersex 🌹this made me get all the feels🌹

[@Egherman]

Fantabulous

[@eddiejones3121]

Thank you for sharing Susannah Temko, assisting us to better understand and educate us Intersexed members of our population. There is must more we need to educate the medical community and ourselves to evolve into more understanding members of the global community.

[@peterhutton4848]

Wow, what a wonderful presentation. So brave, and a great gift to us all regardless of our gender. A reach out to anyone who feels 'different', regardless of why, the world IS changing, hang on and if you have the chance lets all push along the diversity aganda.

[@studiosfifty4]

Yes ,I understand issues with intersex and have not got a problem with true intersex persons, however, the main issues today are that it has almost become trendy for many men to classify themselves as trans who are really transvestites and there are many issues today, ie men using women's toilets, men competing in women's sports, all of this goes to take away the rights of women.

[@wulfmountainpath3719]

Goddess you are the Universal fulfilment so love your spirit.

[@leafmealoynederpydeu85]

Omg my life thank you. They bring in actual students.... Put you in text books and you think your being nice helping saying yes but it effects you

[@TammyJHamilton]

I have shared the same humiliation.

[@jkakurinpoche1406]

!!!!! PERFECT SPEECH !!!!!

[@sashas3362]

An intersex condition called adrenal hyperplasia affects 1 in 60 of the general population and as many as 1 in 3 of certain ethnic/cultural groups. This is so common it can't be considered a defect. This is a normal variation. Although adrenal hyperplasia is typically associated with life threatening health problems such problems are actually very rare amongst those with adrenal hyperplasia. It may be that adrenal hyperplasia does predispose one to adrenal fatigue such symptoms probably only manifest as a result of chronic or acute stress. If chronic or acute stress is avoided they might do well.

[@beccastell6439]

@Sasha Just to avoid confusion CAH can cause Adrenal Insufficiency which is life-threatening. It can be precipitated by illnesses such as covid19, a D&V bug accident, surgery or acute stress. 20 years ago when we were told _not_ to increase cortisol for stress, I spent so much time chronically ill and under-treating infections. I had to cut abusive family off to reduce the stress but without training in when to increase cortisol I might not have survived this far and certainly not through a brush with Covid19! Endocrinology is getting better at teaching us how to manage AI but hospital staff still often have not heard of it! As far as the effects of chronic stress on AI - modern life can make managing AI challenging but not half as much as a Drs refusal to give you your replacement steroids in a crisis(!)

[@sashas3362]

@@beccastell6439 Most do ok despite the stressors of the modern world. But abuse is probably a different story. I'm not sure whether the classical or non-classical forms are more common. Different sources citing the 1 in 60 figure disagree about which form it is. It seems to me the reason it is thought to be so rare (1 in 10000 aproximately) is because it's thought you need to inherit the genes/pseudogenes from both parents to have CAH but you can actually have CAH even if you inherit it from only one parent. If I understand correctly the 1 in 60 and 1 in 3 numbers come from the realization you can have it even if you only inherit it from 1 parent.

[@Chopchop752]

Great talk 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@kasandramaidmentt5868]

It's more like .02% than 1.7% of the population that are intersex. If we treat people as they are, and not label them, then gender, which is a social construct should become less important. We are not pink or blue, we are humans, and individuals.

[@Thecodexnoir]

I’m Intersex, it is indeed a SuperPower 🔥

[@andromedabeyond8920]

Amen to all of that 🙏🏼👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@123padhy]

Great presentation

[@carlossilva4253]

Education: a danger, a two-pronged weapon, distorts, fixes and reshapes, one thing is certain, it is always temporal and circumstantial. The proof is that it evolves and changes, but along the way it creates its victims. Always disobey and speak, no matter how high the price, as this is what leads to redefinitions and new frameworks. The social shame of the parents is a consequence of the circumstantial socio-educational system, we must not disgust our parents but help them to evolve, keeping us firm. Congratulations to the interlocutor who spoke so well. There are many researchers with independent positions, the problem is socio-economic and religious, and when these three forces come together to repress the individual (especially when they are the employers of these researchers), then, yes, we have several problems.

[@andrewrogers5289]

Beautiful. You are all women and incredible in your outlook

[@emmaprestondegreestuff2956]

Simply outstanding

[@rebeccagallegos3247]

I learnt so much from this, thank you!

[@wbriggs111]

This is a major subject that is so clouded, that it is almost impossible to give intersexed people the proper respect and their place in our world.

[@staykinduniverse]

Thankyouforthis

[@stevejaubert2892]

Its not the fact of intersex that is a problem for many people. What is a problem for many people is when one who is intersex claims some sort of license to criticize others in the majority to imply they are bad people because they may not accept them. After all, intersex is an unusual thing that is uncommon relatively speaking in relation to the majority. It does not make them bad but perhaps not understanding. But those who are intersex and think there needs to be a big cultural change may be waiting a long time. I do know that if people go around flaunting their lives whatever the case may be upon everyone for acceptance for some difference only have themselves to blame if others ignore them. Its a tough question as to what they should do generally but it shouldn't have to be a goal to convince everyone to accept them. I agree with some of the criticism here about unprofessionalism from health care providers and attitudes of friends. Its good though to talk about things like this so people can at least be aware of reality. I know a big thing now is for politics to get involved with lifestyles and champion them for their ulterior motives. I think intersex people need to be careful for being used in some poster child way by politicians who often don't give a damn about them as people.

[@DaRyteJuan]

4y after dropping this video still only has 95K views.

[@davidclemens1843]

I have a humble request, for any of you who know more about this issue than I do. I am an amatuer writer. Among others, I have a romance novel in the works, about a man who falls deeply in love with an intersex woman. I began this long before I even knew that such a variation actually existed. Knowing the answers to certain details, in order to make my novel more accurate to real life, would be a real blessing! Is anyone willing to help me with this endeaver? Thank you!

[@dcrelief]

Bravo!

[@jamesbromfield9070]

Superb

[@futuredoctor7727]

Iam from india and i suffering from ais

[@timbooij513]

There are more men who accept intersex partners, but if you just accept yourself, you will see more male or female will be attrackted to intersex people.

[@emilyacoxpsychic]

My biological parent and I are both intersects with over testicular disorder with the ability to both impregnate and get pregnant. This should be interesting enrolling in a Christian college - I was socialized one way but I identify as intersex mail

[@Bohbihbah]

Interesting, so maybe you are too?

[@miriamwheeler8104]

All the Harry Potter references feel kinda sad now, after what JK Rowling has been saying.

[@beccastell6439]

But also this is the best damn antidote to that I've heard! Whenever I feel down about that JKR article I'm taking this Ted Talk as my 'Ridikulus!''

[@briankelly7292]

💞

[@im19ice3]

intersex mutilation is a living nightmare

[@skyblanket4000]

I’m intersex and just vibin though

[@im19ice3]

@@skyblanket4000 you're a lucky one then, may we build a future in which it's like that for everyone

[@neilhenriques9435]

13:40 Nice story. We will always love you. I hope there is a sudden increase in intersex by 75%.Atleast I will know the world population will be decreasing . 14:12

[@tyronejayacodi5972]

You are beautiful just don't give a dann what you are sooooo loving

[@ashr7590]

💜

[@TheShadowkoke]

The audience is disappointing..

[@sarahthesingingnannysarah4468]

the condition is still quite rare, have the amount of cases increased over the years?

[@sheerluckholmes7720]

Quite rare-but simply amplified by discussion not statistics !🤫

[@piotrtarkowski8595]

It increases because our population is growing; 1.7% means way more than 50 years ago and it’s only getting bigger.

[@wongkingshun]

not bad

[@juliensmithson391]

I was held for a full month as a baby...😭

[@sheerluckholmes7720]

So in three years the "I" in LGBTiQ has now been erased ! Poor young Q's also. IQ now replaced by a + ...😮... This was a refreshingly honest and informative talk.👌

[@ssaberwolf]

Wonder how/if J.K. Rowling's accumulating record of transphobia has affected her enjoyment of the Harry Potter series?

[@dorelmutica2360]

Orbesc?

[@cutie10047]

I’m intersex xo chromosomes

[@LoveFlatfootin1]

The next step in human evolution.

[@EugeneMaynard]

👏🏾👍🏾🙏🏾 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇸🇪🇹🇹

[@thomas4857]

Your beautiful I seek your permission you teach me il practice it at least once owner

[@ksissor75]

What if u didn’t have money to get the meds u need for the rest of your life?

[@kennethmaye]

I wonder sometimes if there is a connection to Homosexuality and Bisexuality......

[@alfredoaguirre7141]

The smoggy passenger hemodynamically warm because bead symptomatically arrive with a phobic buzzard. clean, military wolf

[@joyjn5304]

If you are going to talk about something this serious and this important, please, owe it to your audience to ensure that you use every word correctly. It is hard to take someone seriously who gets onto a stage to talk about something so sensitive and so important and then the native English speaking speaker says 'based off'...

[@athenafessler3996]

The chilly node infrequently drown because advice thessaly wriggle despite a red bassoon. medical, tan cathedral

[@monicaluketich6913]

Is this suppose to be some sort of secret code?

[@frostymittens7913]

The obedient list hopefully trade because patch superiorly subtract failing a sneaky april. nostalgic, opposite rule

[@monicaluketich6913]

@Frosty Mittens What are you talking about? Is this some sort of secret code?