“I Learned I Was Intersex At 21” | Listen Up | ABC Science

Growing up, Mimi felt ashamed because she wasn’t like other girls. But a chance discovery at 21 changed that. Subscribe to ABC Science KZbin 👉 ab.co/2YFO4Go
Our sincere thanks to Mimi (she / they) for telling her story. For more, tune in to Mimi's episode of the podcast, Innies and Outies - Listen now on the ABC listen app: ab.co/ABCListe...
Intersex is an umbrella term for a range of chromosomal variations. Variations are a natural biological event, estimated to happen in about 17 in every 1,000 live births. That’s 1.7 per cent of the population.
There are over 30 different intersex variations with varying degrees of impact. For some, intersex features are noticeable from birth, while others don’t realise until they try for children. For more information, read: www.healthdire...
#ListenUp #ABCScience #Intersex
Subscribe: ab.co/2YFO4Go
Like: / abcscience
Follow: / abchealth
---------------------------------------------------------------
This is an official Australian Broadcasting Corporation KZbin channel.
Contributions may be removed if they violate ABC's Online Conditions of Use
www.abc.net.au/... (Section 3).

[@ABCScience]

Intersex is an umbrella term for a range of chromosomal variations. Variations are a natural biological event, estimated to happen in about 17 in every 1,000 live births. That’s 1.7 per cent of the population. There are over 30 different intersex variations with varying degrees of impact. For some, intersex features are noticeable from birth, while others don’t realise until they try for children. For more information, read: www.healthdirect.gov.au/intersex-variation

[@oneeyedphotographer]

About the same proportion as autistics. Finding that I am autistic has been a huge relief, I have always felt a bit odd, or weird, autism explains why. I don't understand intersex, or divergent genders generally, but I do understand the relief and comfort known yourself brings.

[@Tamaresque]

@@oneeyedphotographer I'm intersex, ADHD, and on the spectrum (at the lower end)! It's been an interesting life. Oh, not to mention chronic kidney failure, too, since my teens! 😄

[@oneeyedphotographer]

@@Tamaresque That's quite a collection! Ancient Chinese curse, I have heard, "May you live in interesting times." Do the best you can, with the hand you have. Nothing can control those conditions, but your attitude helps a lot.

[@Adam-i3r7z]

What a load of rubbish. Intersex are people born with ambiguous genitalia and they usually have XX or XY aka typical sex chromosomes. People with sex chromosome aneuploidy are male and female respectively.

[@Adam-i3r7z]

People with variations of differences don't need medical care. The 1.7% figure includes people like me, males with Klinefelters syndrome. Females with Turner syndrome, and people with a condition called Late Onset CAH, which is nothing at all like CAH at birth. The largest single group usurped into the intersex crowd are XXY males, men with Klinefelters syndrome. Men who do need medical care and men who don't belong in their definition. 1.7% of the worlds population have a DSD, Disorders of Sex Development, of those 0.018% are intersex. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12476264/

[@Tamaresque]

That's me, too. I found out when I was 17 that I wouldn't be having children, but didn't find out why until I was in my mid 30's. I had a hysterectomy when I was 24, but was never told why, or offered any counselling before or afterward. In fact, I was admitted for an entirely different procedure! It's good that you knew from an early age, even if you didn't understand what was going on. I didn't start HRT until I was 36 and that was to reverse severe osteoporosis. It felt very strange to be developing breasts and acquiring subcutaneous fat at that age. Before that I was very androgynous looking - tall, thin, long-limbed, no chest or bum - but I have always had male partners. The short name for my condition is AIS, Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, but it's essentially the same as you - completely female outside, mostly inside, too, but no ovaries or fallopian tubes. Instead I had undeveloped male gonads in their place which is what was removed in the hysterectomy, along with my uterus and cervix. It was never explained why. I'm now 70. I satisfied my desire for having children by becoming a childcare professional, and I really appreciate my unique outlook on sex and sexuality. I thought I was one of a kind back in my 20's but thanks to the internet, I know know there are thousands of us. 🥰

[@debrapaulino918]

No cervix. Is it ok to ask if you have been sexually fulfilled? If it's not ok to ask that's ok. Just want to fully understand your experience as intersex.

[@leoniep9231]

As I understand it, sexual fulfillment has nothing to do with the internal anatomy beyond the cervix. Please correct me If I am wrong.

[@Stefanie-jw3wq]

This is common in America today and we must stop this unnecessary surgery.

[@joan.nao1246]

Some women experience sexual pl​easure through cervical sensation, but most do not @@leoniep9231

[@Iwasjustwondering89]

⁠@@debrapaulino918 Hi Debra, licensed sex educator here. Though sexual pleasure for women or people with female sex organs CAN involve stimulation of the cervix, for most it doesn’t and indeed is experienced as rather painful (which in turn can feel arousing, of course, but again - not as common). Usually, the clitoris plays the most important part when it comes to orgasms, and since it’s located outside the body, it would still be there after any internal surgery. Hope this helps! Let me know if you have more questions. If the OP would like to clarify further, I’d appreciate it, as her experience is obviously individual.

[@d.n.8919]

A lot of ignorant people think being intersex and being transgender are the same thing. People need to get educated

[@MsMtwardy]

Exactly

[@blackpuppy5645]

She is biologically male so…….

[@stacysedgewood9600]

As a fellow intersex woman who didn’t find out until her thirties, the shame about not being ‘normal’ coupled with constant secret doctor visits and the overwhelming feeling I was being lied to (or simply not told) is something I am very familiar with. Know you are not alone!

[@holisticliberty7430]

My Niece gave birth to an intersex child. It always bothered me that they ask the parents to pick a gender then remove the parts that don’t fit the chosen gender. Unfortunately their child had other complications and passed away at the age to 2. I have an intersex friend whose male parts are most dominant. If you ask my friend if they feel more male or female my friend would say neither. His father chose boy gender also my friend still has part of the uterus even though part was removed. My friend’s father use to beat him if he at anytime would identify as anything other than a male. Sad and heartbreaking. When my friend became an adult he broke off the relationship with the father.

[@devrakitterman1676]

It is a sad truth about how humans are so fearful and cruel about sex and gender. It is important that all these stories be shared so that we can progress intellectually, hopefully, and more people can live peacefully instead of with fear-based hostile judgement and violence.

[@soapqueen2008]

If I ever had a child that was born intersect I would let them make that call when they are older

[@Digger-Nick]

​@@soapqueen2008By then it's too late

[@mharris5047]

@@soapqueen2008 If medically possible that is probably the best decision. In some cases surgery may not be necessary for people in the States we call hermaphodites (as I understand it hermaphodite and intersex mean about the same thing). Some have both a penis and vagina, some people have both functioning but are sterile. Hermaphodites/intersex people are still individuals and each person develops differently. If possible parents shouldn't have to decide what gender their intersex child is going to be. No one in my family or circle of friends has this condition so I have limited knowledge of it.

[@KristenK78]

@@Digger-Nicktoo late for what, exactly?

[@ettinakitten5047]

I've been hearing intersex activists talking about this for almost two decades, and yet people are still, even now, recommending genital mutilation to parents of intersex newborns. It makes me so mad. It also makes me mad that often those surgeries are about what kind of binary-looking genitals would be easier to create surgically and make them look normal, rather than what the most common gender identity of people with that particular condition is. For example, XY babies with micropenis + hypospadias who have typical XY hormonal profiles are almost as likely as non-intersex XY kids to identify as male, and yet many of those little boys get surgically and socially assigned to female because "it's easier to build a hole than a pole".

[@Dutch3DMaster]

From what I have learned from multiple intersex organisations there's absolutely zero way to determine with any kind of certainty what someone's gender identity is going to be based on the kind of intersex variation observed... Other than they, yep: some of the information is now as old as 40 years, and yet we still hear about doctors pressuring parents into making a "medically necessary decision", sometimes creating a false medical emergency along the way even...

[@kathycuster1714]

I think nothing should be done to babies that are intersexed. Let them grow and tell what sex they are and then go from there. Just makes sense to me.

[@davidgilroy1214]

You are not broken. You are beautiful. Live life and be happy. x

[@seaninness334]

There are 100's of ways people are born differently. Everyone needs to know this, be accepting, and keep shame out of it.

[@reginafisher9919]

Agree

[@robertdouglas3456]

God Bless You young lady! Never be ashamed of who you are!🎉🤩😘

[@Stefanie-jw3wq]

@@robertdouglas3456 thank you this means so much to me.athankyou!!!

[@adamholmes1992]

⁠@@Stefanie-jw3wqI’m glad to tell you that there are no actual human hermaphrodites, even though phenotypically it appears that many people are hermaphrodites. Source? Medical school. I asked my MD professors. I also asked other doctors if the definition had changed. It has not. To be an actual hermaphrodite one has to have working male and female reproductive sex organs. Many animal species do but humans do not and can not. I theorized that it could be possible if a twin of one female genetic sex absorbed a twin with a Y sex chromosome or vice versa during the right stage of fetal development. But there are no observed cases and even then, this would be a chimeric person with 2 different sets of DNA and still of a hermaphrodite. The intersex people need to be treated with complete love and compassion but be must not broaden their extremely small minority of cases into the erroneous 1.7% of the population people are claiming it is by adding in people with non typical sex chromosome variations that differ from the typical XX/XY presentation Like triple X, Klinefelter’s, Fragile X, XYY, gender dysphoria, homosexuality, etc.

[@jamedlock83]

Maybe, but you are either MALE or FEMALE. . . . nothing more, nothing less. . . . . . You either have XX or XY

[@catmando4914]

More intersex people need to come out. The population needs to be educated on this subject. Too many well meaning people (politicians, parents, and medical doctors) are making decisions for children that can do physical and mental damage.

[@Db8it]

Sadly, many of those politicians aren't well meaning at all.

[@vangu2918]

Most of those people aren't very well meaning. They want to put people in containers and keep everyone all nicely lined up.

[@censorshipsucks9493]

Yes, and the people with agendas need to be educated to know that intersex is a medical condition. It is not a third gender, and has nothing to do with transgenders, or their agenda.

[@TheDrexxus]

Honestly ANYTHING that isn't totally normal can mess up a child's mind. Growing up with both male and female parts would be just as damaging to them when they realized how different they are. There really is no good solution or way to avoid pain from such an extreme congenital abnormality.

[@cathynewyork7918]

It can't be helped. The decision for surgery for intersex children must be made when they are very young, before puberty.

[@bellaimages]

Thank you to Mimi and this ABC Science channel for posting this video. I am another intersex person who indentifies as male. I was born with all the male genitalia and some but not all of the female genitalia as well. I had no say in what was done to me, as the surgeries to remove any female genitalia were done when I was a baby. The first doctor to get his hands on me as a baby must have cut away on me carelessly as I lost a testicle because of him. I had other surgeries as a toddler for reconstrucion of my penis, then when I was 20 years old I had the final hypospadia surgery done. My parents were wonderfuil in educating me gradually about what I was like as a baby, and who I am, except that they said that I was one in a million births. They did not know how many children are born with ambiguous genitalia. THat is who we are! I belive that there are far more than the 1.7% Mimi said .. I have heard closer to 2% or more .. could be far more of us! The reason is that so many people in much of our past Anglo-Saxon history were taught through erroneous biblical or religious teaching that there are only two genders. That has never been the case! Even though I was embarrassed and bullied by schoolmates while growing up but I stood my ground. I'm strongly attracted to females, so I've had sex with girlfriends. However I'm not going to have children, so I consider adoption a possiblity. Society might be ready for more of us born intersex people to come out. I'm ready to tell my true story!

[@user-jg5xm8um8y]

It’s good that we have this awareness and that a decent amount of us adults are able to accept these differences, but overall, even a 2% incidence is low enough to not cause a big change in a culture’s view of what is normal. Imagine you lived in a small town of 300. That’s 6 POSSIBLE people or less. It would also be unlikely that any of you guys would know the others were intersex, and the first person who shared would probably be shunned as abnormal. In that case, the other intersex individuals wouldn’t say anything. And with technology back then and how being intersex is, a lot of those individuals wouldn’t know they were intersex. They would probably assume they were male or female, whichever they were close enough to.

[@vangu2918]

I'm sorry life was so hard on you, but glad you've done so well for yourself.❤

[@titandarknight2698]

@@user-jg5xm8um8y The thing is where not talking about 300 people. Where talking about MILLIONS. 2% is not that low if you look at the population

[@idkwhybut...]

Less than 1% of the population is transgender, and that is Making Waves in culture . If there is a big movement, the intersex people can also bring awareness and a change, positively, in culture. ​@@user-jg5xm8um8y

[@firstnamelastname9918]

God bless you! ❤ And I'm sorry, I don't mean that in any religious kind of way. Thank you for sharing your story! Why can't we all just try to accept each other for who we all are? There's got to be a way to limit the surgeries to only what is *really* necessary and stop trying to make people into something they aren't! I feel that doctors and parents should work with intersex children to help them figure out what's right for them BEFORE they do anything permanent! We need therapists and medication professionals LIKE MIMI to help guide these children through self-discovery! Well hell, the same goes for trans youth

[@WatrfrontTampa]

As a medical student years ago - we knew there are up to 6 different DNA types of human sexual variations - and 2 genders. This has always been in medicine. It is sad when some physicians are not educated enough to realize that nothing should be done until after the child goes through puberty - and let the child determine their sexual destiny and indentity without any surgery. Surgery should be determined by the young adult, while this child is being medically followed until 18. This also lets the child feel they have total control over their destiny - this provides mental stability and happiness. Please keep talking and reaching other people with this human story - this is the greatest contribution you can give the world - your wisdom about your life !!

[@OA-tp8dh]

I think there’s a slight imprecision about her testicules being removed. She was born sterile due to the enzyme deficiency that caused her not to develop internal genital organs (she developed testicules and 1/3 of the vagina because their development is not dependent of testosterone whereas the maturation of the testicules and the development of internal genital organs are). Nowadays the common practice is to leave the non matured testicules inside the body until the end of adolescence because they support the development during that period but after adolescence they are removed because they are really prone to cancer and removing them is the best way to prevent it.

[@SalyLuz-hc6he]

If you understand the medical facts, hopefully you can also learn to spell the word testicles correctly. And in the future there may be no reason to remove internal testes. There may be blood tests which will reveal if cancer cells have begun to grow anywhere in the body. Technology is advancing fast! Thank you.

[@patrickday4206]

Testicles do not like being inside when men's don't decend it creates a lot of problems

[@Dutch3DMaster]

Everyone is born sterile, you only become fertile due to puberty... And some intersex people definitely get born with testicles looking more like ovaries because in people with CAIS the response to testosterone is non-existent, but these ovaries can't function, because the genetic material is not of the right kind. I've been volunteering in informational lessons as a transwoman, telling high-school students (13-14 years of age) about my experience as coming out as a transwoman, and while it happened in a lesson when I was not yet a member of the local support group that gives those lessons, there has been one where a boy started to develop breasts and it turned out that the testicles he had were functioning like ovaries while being in the place they were expected to be in people assigned male at birth, they were producing estrogen.

[@Frombie_01]

@@SalyLuz-hc6he Testicule(s) is the French spelling of testicle(s). Both have their origin in the Latin word testiculus (testiculi). If you are going to be pedantic, try pointing out the OPs overly long sentences or lack of punctuation. Thank you.

[@SalyLuz-hc6he]

@@Frombie_01 I’ve never seen that spelling before, and I’ve read a MANY things printed in Quebec and Europe. But this is not French KZbin, everything I’m reading here is an English, as far as I see. So that spelling was just confusing and out of context, as it’s not an English word. I thought perhaps they were referring to something else related to or near the testicles. Therefore I was brainstorming for something related that had a U in the middle, such as a tube, perhaps the vas deferens or something like that. In the end I gave up on that and thought they must have misspelled testicles. Most non-native English learners I know who try to communicate in English & make one or two mistakes, are glad to learn how to spell, or pronounce it correctly. If you’re French, perhaps the French are different, or take offense easily?? If it were German, Finnish, Japanese, Ukrainian etc writing, usually the person would write their whole comment in the same language, and then I would know to translate it. But having only one word in the whole comment spelt in a different language is unclear, and does not help promote good communication or understanding. So defend and insult as you wish. You just can’t expect everyone in the world to know French; it’s no longer the common “lingua franca.”

[@RunningLdy]

How has this not gone viral? So well done and so important!!!! "You can't be what you can't see" indeed! I'm sure she's not alone and the info she shares should be common knowledge so that intersex is both understood and normalized and therefore safe, accepted and embraced as other sex types are so everyone is free to embrace who they are and also feel embraced by those around them who in turn "get it" just as well as they used to get the archaic and now obsolete binary.

[@Stefanie-jw3wq]

❤ please be advised that my book workbook on being Intersex in a Binary World. I am self publishing it and I am loud and proud of this book workbook to give you and to the world and public FREE!!!.

[@Stefanie-jw3wq]

Amen I am in agreement with you fully.

[@comealongcomealong4480]

@RunningLdy Just a short reply to your comment, "the archaic and now obsolete binary". The biological Intersex variations that Mimi raises here are relatively rare in any human population. It means that approx 98% of births will fall within the range of 'normal chromosomal patterns and primary sex characteristics'. That is Human Male or Human Female at birth. For biological, medical, scientific and research purposes, the understandings of 'Male' and 'Female' are neither archaic or obsolete. (Used for the studies of Life Span, Height and Weight, Organ Size, Physical Strength and Capacity, Top Causes of Death, Incidences of Cancer, Brain Function etc etc.) /However, what we each choose to do, or are compelled to do, with our own personal understanding of our Biological Sex is open to many thousands of interpretations. And, as with all aspects of human life, how we live our Biological Sex may evolve across our lifetimes. Or, may remain relatively static. With our personal qualities of Gender Identity and Sexual Attraction intersecting with our Biological Sex.

[@Watch_disciple]

@@comealongcomealong4480 . More make believe. This is not the case . It really is no one else's business.

[@Stefanie-jw3wq]

@@comealongcomealong4480 excuse me but... For your information we have been around for about 3900 years is of man's history and so we know that because some people think that they have the right to eliminate human beings that are not considered normal, should reconsider their thinking about intersex Hermaphrodite human beings. We are real human beings and we have the right to exist unharmed. Sadly their are some people who should educate themselves on human beings like us. Thank you for your let us know that history is repeating itself again on the human beings rights violations against normal human beings.

[@83lulube]

I'll admit that growing up I thought trans and intersex were all the same, but I now know i was wrong.

[@BelindaM44]

She’s not a failure in any way! Very well done and informative!

[@ElizabethDohertyThomas]

I've known about some of these conditions since the late 1980's with a mom in pediatric endocrinology. I continue to hope all the kids she was part of caring for are happy and thriving as adults. We do things differently now vs then back then. Every single person deserves care and respect. I just hope we appreciate the culture the adults who made these decisions were in so we give them some grace, too.

[@patrickevans8737]

I’m an intersex male. I didn’t know there were so many variations to intersex. They’ve learned a lot about intersects in the last 70 years.

[@rodneyscott7108]

I am almost 70 years old and living in East Texas. I have to admit that I am not quite sure that I understand all the different variations that I hear and read about, but my general understanding is that what for so long had been seen as a binary analysis regarding gender is now seen as more of a spectrum, with many different variations existing along the spectrum. While such a concept doesn’t really seem all that difficult to understand, I suppose that when you have preachers and conservative politicians and media personalities ranting endlessly about there only being two genders, there isn’t a lot of room left for a more nuanced discussion of the topic. What really puzzles me is why the issue is so controversial in the right wing echo chambers, in the first place. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot, the culture wars bring in lots of money. From that perspective, it all makes perfect sense. Religious grifters gotta grift, just like political grifters and media grifters gotta grift. It’s just what they do and who they are.

[@sarahmacintosh6449]

Wish more people could appreciate nuance 💜

[@oneeyedphotographer]

It's like that with eye colour, height, waistline, athleticism, and in my case autism and giftedness. And ethnicity.

[@shazamshazamshazam696]

The culture wars are used to purchase religious based political power by those who yearn for a Theocratic government.

[@TheCarlScharnberg]

No. There are still only two sexes, and people with DSD conditions - which is an anomaly, like having more or less than 10 fingers and toes - are still either male or female (Only Xs = female. With a Y = male). There is no evidence to support the theory of an actual "gender identity" so far.

[@jenniminder1362]

I do not believe all of us who vote Republican fall into the stereotypical persona you described. What I personally feel is not any hatred or dislike for people's gender identities but for the fact that there is a belief I should change the way I speak, that there should be special recognition, special medical allowances for surgeries in prison settings, etc. We all have go deal with what we are born with but don't ask the world to change because you are "different".

[@Splat654]

I am female, 24, and I have all the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome, but i am not diagnosed with one. My ovaries are perfectly fine. I have irregular periods, high level of testosterone, higher than a female's norm, and when i turned 18, i suddenly got hair growth on my chin, not a full-on beard, but significant. Always felt and looked gender fluid, and whenever I see intersex content, I keep wondering if that, I just feel connected because of similar feelings, or could it be something I missed. Either way, these videos encouraged me to keep looking into the cause of my situation and gave me a very good idea of taking a chromosome test. I will do just that.

[@Dutch3DMaster]

While I am reasonably sure I'm not intersex (I take it the screening for boy puberty would've made this clear, but I'm not fully sure), my slow development along with the fact that my body stayed quite slim (no broad shoulders, small hands and feet) I can vividly remember feeling very uncomfortable for not identifying with those boys. It is different obviously for transwomen (and I am a transwoman), but when the intersex partner of a friend heard my fierce response to female hormones she immediately blurted out "OMG has she ever been check for an intersex variation?" for seeing a very identical response she recognized from herself.

[@CarolynMcPherson-r3z]

Thank you for being so strong and making this film for other intersex people. Our granddaughter was born with Turner's Syndrome: 90% of her chromosomes are X and 10% are a broken Y. (Others with Turner's have different configurations of organs and tubes and chromosomes.) I am horrified by the people who try to vilify trans and intersex people. You didn't choose this; granddaughter didn't choose this. I am so terribly sorry you were ashamed of yourself. These people who make your life so difficult are the very definition of BAD. God bless you!

[@joedennehy386]

No one villifies these people

[@mycobacteriem2540]

i was born with turner's as well, diagnosed at 16, and have an x chromosome and a broken piece of an x (if i remember what i was told correctly) i came out as trans at 18 and have been living happily as male over 10 years. it's so true how none of us chose to be anything, and my case may be different but i hope your granddaughter grows up and lives her best true life.

[@frozenjune83]

I greatly appreciate you sharing your perspective! I admire your bravery and strength. Wishing mimi a fantastic life.

[@Joseph-tf4hu]

I hope that we can find it our heart to just be kind to each other. Best wishes to Mimi, her family and friends.

[@firstnamelastname9918]

Aww, you and your partner look so cute together! 😄❤ Thank you for sharing your story and all of your work to help others! The world NEEDS YOU MIMI!

[@ivanlawrence2]

As a redhead I was thankful to learn that the occurrence rates are similar. As an adult I found out a good friend of mine is intersex and like to bring up the occurrence rate when confronted by conservative arguments about binary gender or what not. I'm not a doctor or biologist so learning how different we all can be is really amazing. Thank you for sharing your story and helping make intersex as normal as being redheaded.

[@Teacuppuppie]

Medical student here. I would like to add that some information here was not accurately expressed. Mimi here had undescended testicles, which she claims did not have to be removed and that their removal made her sterile. This is inaccurate. Undescended testicles are known as something called cryptorchidism. Their removal is typically necessary because otherwise the testicles have a high chance of becoming malignant. Testicles are located in the scrotum outside the rest of the body because they need a certain temperature to be produced. The inside of the body is too warm for proper sperm production, so Mimi was likely infertile since birth. The removal of the testicles is done to prevent the spread of cancer.

[@Dutch3DMaster]

And yet, you as a medical student failed to pickup on the very real fact that she mentioned lacking the enzym that normally would make her responsive to testosterone... Her testicles would never have developed as they would've normally, they can't produce testosterone, they can't produce sperm... It's also wild to hear a medical student suggest that non-intersex people are fertile from birth: you are not, you need puberty to happen first...

[@saratemp790]

Yes but how often do they get cancerous,?

[@KatieDeGo]

Mimi, you never failed at anything. You are awesome ❤

[@SRHisntSilent]

The erasure of intersex people is a very disturbing reality that many had to live. I'm glad this conversation is finally being had and brought up

[@suussss71]

There is this primitive village in Turkiye with intersex inhabitants. There they let their children free and do not label them as man or women. They wait untill the child is grown up and old enough do decide which one they are. Such a "primitive" people but such a wisdom they possess. Amazing!

[@janedenktasli1015]

There aren't any primitive villages in Turkey, what place are you referring to? We carry ID cards here, you can't wait until you are grown up to choose your gender

[@suussss71]

@@janedenktasli1015 I my God! Are you offended because I said "primitive"? I m sorry. I did not mean backwards. It is a small village in Antalya reagon. The small village name is Akyarı. It is well documented. Now, go educate yourself please.

[@lisaswineheart6537]

I believe people are made as they are supposed to be and there is nothing wrong with them. If they are made intersex then that's what they are meant to be. They shouldn't have to hide it and feel ashamed of who they are. I also believe that intersex people should be able to decide what gender they care to follow after they go through puberty on to adulthood. Or if they want to to stay as they are that's fine too. I don't think they should be made to fit into a mold if they don't want to. They should be granted the gift of feeling comfortable in their own skin.

[@elangomalavan2276]

Diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome.Hearing about it by the doctor I burst out crying but I controlled it a lot but you know 😢.Cannot have kids shook me to my core. I considered as a failed Male.Still cannot accept the fact

[@iamwinningrightnow]

Never that (failure). This condition does not define who you are. You're more than your condition.

[@comealongcomealong4480]

@@iamwinningrightnow Thank you for this comment. I believe your mantra of NOT being defined by any conditions we're born with, or acquire, will be a new message of human liberation for this century.

[@billpetersen298]

It’s hard to get over, a foundational belief. My wife had life saving, bowel surgeries as an infant. We spent a decade, trying ivf, surrogacy, and adoption. She eventually had a hysterectomy. The vascularized scar tissue, had twisted everything up so bad. At 63 I still don’t know if I could have had kids. But, I’m the luckiest guy. My two adopted kids, love me, they want to go hiking and camping, with me, etc. The first marriage ended after 28 yrs together. Yes I’m torn up about that. But now I have a stepson, who is also family. He is a loving person, close to me. I’m not saying get over it. But do make sure, to spend time with your closest, positive influence people.

[@billpetersen298]

If you are a good person. You can not be a failed person.

[@elangomalavan2276]

@@billpetersen298 thanks

[@devrakitterman1676]

Thank you for your courageous sharing. Most people have no idea about intersex, trans, or gay people and are hostile because of simple ignorance, and lack of real information. Science works, folks!

[@AnnDrogyne]

I was 13 when I found out and for 50 I kept it secret.

[@Db8it]

I'm sorry you had to endure that, and I hope in later life you've been able to experience a full sense of joy and openness. ❤️

[@Clairebearthegoodfinder]

🤗😘

[@treefarm3288]

Totally cool. Good on you for your attitude towards being intersex. Also thanks for informing me. Sorry about those doctors back then.

[@phos4us]

I grew up hearing zero stigma for any group so I get to learn about everything that makes us different (but still human) from their own perspectives and I’m so grateful. It’s like I dodged a bullet.

[@robertvirnig638]

It's really a shame that so many people have parts of their lives that aren't universally accepted. It could be intersex or it could be so many other things. For me, it is bipolar disorder which no one diagnosed for ten years and I spent most of that time on and off the streets without understanding what was happening to me. For others, it may be autism or eating disorders that make them larger or thinner than society finds acceptable. Hopefully, we can all be more accepting of both ourselves and others.

[@GodSoLoved.Yeshua]

Jesus loves you, he can deliver you from oppression.

[@robertvirnig638]

@@GodSoLoved.Yeshua Then why is it that the only people trying to oppress me are Christians.

[@annettefournier9655]

Why indeed. ​@@robertvirnig638

[@robertvirnig638]

@@SalyLuz-hc6he Yes, I am familiar with the "no true Scotsman fallacy." Each group of Christians doesn't think the others are true Christians. I rarely run across a Muslim or Hindu where I live who identifies themselves so they are of little concern to me personally. I haven't suffered any trauma at the hands of Christians, just a nuisance and inconvenience and all the racist and bigoted laws they try to pass in places I used to live. Actually, I was raised in a Catholic congregation and it was a very nice community to grow up in. I just never found any reason to believe any of the supernatural claims and magic in the Bible. Unfortunately, the Christians who make a lot of noise and appear to speak for the religion are the greedy and hateful ones who oppose education. The ones who are more compassionate do not seem inclined to push back and defend a better view.

[@ashleyvaughn5213]

Now imagine growing up in a place that would kill you if they thought you were a trans. Because of people's ignorance, you would never find out that you were intersex unless forced to. Which would be a sad situation if your home is your safe place.

[@nufailanoon]

But trans is different. Some societies accept intersex people with the condition they choose one gender

[@user-ru3zw6lz9h]

One of my friends from college is intersex, like Mimi she has XY chromosomes but she has CAIS so she developed with a visually female body. She did not find out she was intersex until she was 19 and hadn't gotten her period yet. There are so many people out there who have no idea that they are intersex until they have infertility or DNA testing later in life.

[@babykillingcadillac6719]

it's heartbreaking to hear how societal pressures made her feel shame from such a young age. i'm glad she's found community now and feels comfortable sharing her story🙏🖤

[@jshend47]

You have such a great attitude, and I am so glad that you have a support network. You are such a strong, selfless person to want to help others! The world is a better place because of you!

[@vanessahanna64]

Brilliant. Well done, Mimi. You are inspirational.

[@sierrarmcclain]

What an interesting story! Mimi-you are resilient and well spoken. You will do well in your field!

[@blackshards3415]

If i had an intersex baby, i would refuse all surgeries if they are not necessary. I would wait if there really are problems and only then decide if a surgery is necessary. But i would never ever agree to a removal of the genitals - these are the most sensitive parts of the body. Don't let anyone cut them off!

[@km1dash6]

Thank you for sharing this story.

[@ellenritt7667]

Someone send this to @foxnews and MTG, boebert, Gaetz et all.

[@paulgreen9059]

Thanks to Mimi for doing this interview! I learned a lot!

[@sarah2.017]

I have never met an intersex person, that I know of, but every interview I've ever seen or read with them is that they always said that the worst thing about the condition is that they were lied to about it.

[@kensoutham6828]

You are a beautiful person, I applaud your openness. Intersex truly is hidden and I only became aware of it from another youtube video about 3 months ago and I’m 67 years old. Always learning. I am truly sorry that your early medical treatment was so flawed in this day and age I thought we were long past misguided handling of un-necessary medical procedures on vulnerable minors. I find you brave in your telling of your story and wish you happiness and success in your future life choices. Thank you for sharing your personal story. ❤️

[@comealongcomealong4480]

@kensoutham6828 I'm in your peer group, but I DID know a little about Intersex. Beginning with hearing the now old-fashioned term of Hermaphrodite back in the 1980s. As the sex that gives birth, I'd suggest that we absorb or learn information about all kinds of possible variations at birth. From genetic conditions, to foetal developmental disorders, to variations in presenting genitalia, and more. My sister is a midwife. They study everything from the age of about twenty one. The rest of us pick up some basic knowledge from a range of sources 😊

[@dl4403]

You’re a wonderful person - thanks for sharing your life story! I didn’t realise that 1.7% of the population was intersex. Hope your nursing career goes well!

[@barbarabonnette2705]

Your explanation was wonderful and informative. I’m sure your words have helped many. Your empathy and kindness will always set you on the right path.

[@jonathanwilliams1641]

This is a very brave, smart, impressive person.

[@shaneluck2570]

You have nothing to feel ashamed about! It is just you. You are a lovely young woman! Be all you can be.

[@CybeleCotter]

My partner and I are both intersex but our parent's corrected it at birth. I've never felt male although I was raised male and my wife doesn't feel either gender but we are happy to be married and have each other

[@Ms.Laterholmes5253]

And this is why the native Americans call us having two spirits. Just trying to figure out your body normally let alone with this extra manifesting positive. Stay strong thank you for the time and energy of sharing. And I’m sorry that you were told that you could not share this especially to your siblings.

[@SalyLuz-hc6he]

Children don’t understand the consequences of telling other people secrets, and her siblings likely would have told others without understanding why they should Keep quiet. I believe it is the individual’s choice on their own when they feel comfortable to share this information with someone else. It’s nobody else’s business but their own! When the siblings are adults, hopefully they will have enough wisdom and understanding to accept medical facts, and to Still love their sibling!

[@PaulNoake]

Mimi no need to be ashamed your a wonderful person. I'm Bisexual and I'm sending you my love ♥️♥️

[@Thislife78-p1w]

There is nothing to be ashamed of, Mimi. You are great just the way you are. Its just genetics.

[@schiffelers3944]

So proud Mimi is speaking out, also sad that the english speaking LGBTI+ community in a way let's intersex down a bit. In the Netherlands we use LGBTI+ instead of the LGBTQ+. If you understand how intersex is possible (thus from birth) its just a smaller step to understand how brains can develop differently, and thus explain trangenderism better, and homosexuality and bi-sexuality, and also hetero-sexuality (from Birth). Glad, ABC science is having video's talking about intersex.

[@russelldavis6405]

What a remarkable woman! Wishing her all the best!!

[@dmann1209]

Wow! I am learning something new about the wonders of life. Thank you for sharing. Hopefully people and the medical community can take a better position from understanding.

[@rennaaa6667]

There was a Dr House episode about this very condition. It's a shame you were kept so in the dark as a child, and try to be kept hidden. You are a beautiful person.

[@rescuegirl]

I am also intersex! I was told when I was 16. ❤

[@allesandra22]

I want to ask one thing. How come these people are so confident and eloquent in speaking....I mean the speech is so understandable and mature and so sophisticated. No fear of the camera or anything...❤

[@ettinakitten5047]

Practice.

[@DragoMorke]

It sounds like you think they shouldn't be able to. Why?

[@allesandra22]

@@DragoMorke no. That's not what I meant at all. I myself m afraid of cameras and public speaking so I find this very inspirational.

[@DragoMorke]

@@allesandra22 @allesandra22 ah. Good. I agree that she is positive and confident and earlier in my life i felt the same as you. But once I realized I had to transition to be healthy and public opinnion on such matters became more important to me that started to change. If there is something so important in your life you would do almost anything for, you develop guts and with experience you grow confident. I leaned to speak confidently in front of crowds, not that I did it often. So I can empathize much with this video.

[@allesandra22]

@@DragoMorke agreed. 👍

[@georgewachsmuth9201]

Great video! I am glad for you and all you discovered that helped you to find your true self.

[@mmhqs]

binary society is so harsh on people

[@chrissy24-7]

Bless you and I wish you a lifetime of happiness ❤ thank you for sharing your story so eloquently

[@Marksman560]

Powerful girl, definitely worth loving. And powerful message. Spread it everywhere please. Thanks ABC Science!

[@vzzniko]

I wish more people knew that intersex is the medical condition NOT a fancy label that you can put on yourself and change it to another label whenever you like.

[@AnonYmous-ry2jn]

Wow, what a great video, and a great young woman. We lose so much when we try to flatten out all the complexities and nuances of gender and sexuality in all their variety; each of us is a complex mix of spiritual, physical (including hormonal) and social and cultural components, and all of these must be appreciated, developed, cultivated so we can experience the ultimate human fulfillment: love, both of ourselves and others. Thank you for such an enriching video which helps me to understand these realities so much more deeply than I had before! And of course I wish you all success with your projects and your personal life and relationships in all ways: May you continue to enjoy all the experiences, fulfillment, love and happiness you so *completely* deserve. (Yes, speaking of "completely": everything about you is *complete* and *whole* and *perfect* and *beautiful* in every way, and don't for a second imagine otherwise!!!) Best wishes, Andrew

[@Stephanie-q5r]

I'm from Philippines.My mom said I'm a girl when i birth but when i get older there are other changes in my body.I never got period and I was not like girls when I was growing up,I see male characteristics in my body when i turn into 12,and I also had male genitalia when i get older.I don't know what to do were poor,so i search in internet when i know that I'm a intersex I'm so sad I can't explain how i felt.

[@wendybutler1681]

A friend in his early 30s asked his doctor about his low sex drive. A decade later, she has just had her final reassignment surgery after the delays covid caused. Happy, in a stable relationship and loving her new life. The outside of her body now matches her inside anatomy and her pre-transition hoemone levels. Female, in all but the outside wrapper. She looks incredible!

[@tasakb3444]

I feel for intersex. Transgender is also a medical condition that we don't have a scientific clue yet but it's a reality. May God heal all intersex and trans people and give them the body that aligns with their mind amen.

[@theresa1305]

You are so brave for sharing your story.

[@audreywitko1445]

I cannot imagine what any of you went through and may still be going through! Unfortunately, Society is all about sexualization and not valuing the Person. Please know that there are many of us out here born without the challenges you have faced that totally support you in any way you need or desire. Keep sharing your stories and let us know how we can best support you. This world is changing and I am so confident that the change is eventually for the better. Thank you for your courage to speak out and educate us!

[@bryanbenson6551]

Sadly, currently we have Dumpers yelling and screaming that this right here doesn't happen but super rarely, yet the numbers of up to 1.7% of ENTIRE world population means that there's over 119 MILLION humans that are intersex in some shape or form!

[@carrier7399]

Yes, and sadly it also means that the toxic chemicals put into our ecosystems have caused havoc to ALL of the biological systems on Earth, including humans!

[@MSScout86]

BS. Stop lying. No one ever said this doesn't exist.

[@subliminal-damage]

​@@MSScout86"Doesn't exist" isn't even what they said y'all are saying. Many hateful people claim that something like being intersex is incredibly rare because of the 1.7% stat seeming small to them, implying that so few people have this condition that they shouldn't matter at all. But 1.7% is millions of people, y'all just suck at math, science, reading comprehension, and basic empathy skills. 🫶

[@randalllaue4042]

Thank you for sharing.

[@CobraTheSpacePirate]

17-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3 deficiency is a rare disorder. Researchers have estimated that this condition occurs in approximately 1 in 147,000 newborns. It is more common in the Arab population of Gaza, where it affects 1 in 200 to 300 people.

[@Brookscalvin]

This accidentally came on when I had my headphones on cleaning. I listened to all of it. I'm so glad I did! Very informative I hope it keeps going ❤❤❤

[@michaelmcnamee533]

I'm so glad she shared this. Informative and very well produced. Another example of 'life' not being as 'black and white' as some people seem to think. Apologies for using this term.

[@wendybutler1681]

Not broken, but unique and special.

[@ShiningStar396]

I'm intersex. I have hypogonadism and throughout my life my mum has mentioned I had hernias. And I have scars and a photo where I didn't have anything down there except scars. I do have stuff there now but my urethra is in the wrong place.

[@ShiningStar396]

I don't even know what I was born with down there and research I've done suggests that reconstructions aren't done during hernia removals so I don't know what to do now.

[@ShiningStar396]

I'm probably going to a urologist or contact the hospital where I was born.

[@anniejuan1817]

Yes, definitely consult with one or more medical professionals. Good luck finding the information you need.

[@Db8it]

It's totally unfair and cruel that the truth of your own body has been kept from you. I hope you find the answers you deserve. 🩵

[@janicemahan4772]

Having a supportive family is the major ingredient. If a child is born with Downs syndrome, they would need their family there to explain that it was nothing the child did wrong. You are a very brave person.

[@kydeerhunter5]

I have heard about this years ago. Some people are quick to blame the child or the parents. It is not any one fault that this happens to a child during development. It happens and they should be loved and accepted. They should not be ashamed, bullied, or hated. I am proud of her for sharing and educating people in this video and in life.

[@croneyr]

Are these red head stats in Euro based countries or red heads in non euro countries like Africa, India, china? The distribution of red heads is much higher in Europe/USA than china Africa, India.

[@marta_makes]

Wonderful video. Thank you for sharing your story!

[@jonathanwetherell3609]

At the end of the day the vast majority know who they are as regard to being "male or "female" and that is nothing to do with having a Y Chromosone or not. Yes, some are not sure, how much is nature, how much is nurture? Sexual attraction is independent of identity and is much more of a scale rather than an either or.

[@jasonjames4254]

Nonsense! The vast majority (probably around 98%) of people fall do in fact fall neatly within "an either or" category. Even 80% of intersexed express gender as male or female, and their sexual attraction is typically binary. You're simply NOT going to take a typical genetic male or female and "nurture" them into a different gender and sexuality. Parents who have attempted to raise children without imposing gender roles have soon learned that boys still play with trucks and get into fist fights, while girls play with dolls and dream of their wedding day. Biology and genetics wins out over nurture every time. Therefore, this concept that all biological sex, gender, and sexual attraction occurs over a broad spectrum is pure rubbish! The overwhelming vast majority of humans are binary by nature and "nurture" is not going to change that! Yes, there are certainly intersexed people who do not express gender as male or female, and their sexual orientation may also be up for grabs. And there are many people who experience gender dysphoria in varying degrees and for reasons we do not understand. But none of this disproves the overwhelming dominance of binary sex and gender in our species. Yes, there are always genetic outliers in any species, but our species could not have evolved the way we did if we were not binary. Regardless, we should still treat anyone who is intersexed or trans with respect and ensure they receive all of their civil liberties just the same as anyone else. However, we don't need to discard binary society and culture just because a few people do not fit into a binary mold, any more than we need to discard sidewalks and shoes just because a few people are paraplegic.

[@Dutch3DMaster]

Do you agree that it also doesn't have anything to do with the reproductive organs you are born with? Because the idea of nature vs nurture has been tackled (in a severely bad manner I might add) in the 1960's... Look up the case of Jon Reimer if you are interested. The name of Jon Money (confusingly having the same first name) is tied to that story in a very disturbing manner.

[@jonathanwetherell3609]

The theory that I saw is that the pattern for the body is set first, usually by the Y chromosome or lack of. Gender identity and sexual orientation are set in the brain but at different times. So although your genetic identity, body shape, sexual identity and sexual preference are normally the same it does not always follow. All set early in pregnancy.@@Dutch3DMaster

[@Raven_Fable]

😮 you can't be what you can't see... Thank you for the inspiring words, I'm in tears, finally someone said it

[@GigMaresh]

Actually intersex is more prevalent than crimson hair. Sad your parents did not have or want want that term ->intersex. No matter! Each person is a gift to the universe . . . as are you 💕

[@TheCarlScharnberg]

Aww. Brave to share this story. Must be very confusing to know you're biologically/genetically male, but with this condition that makes you outwardly look like the opposite sex. Hope she finds peace and happiness, whatever that looks like for her. Edit: The irony of course, is the fact that she isn't even homosexual; she is heterosexual, as she is a male attracted to females. The world is one funny place!

[@MF2_ETaube]

Doctors are like 0:35, "looks at genitalia" = "Yep female", gotta start doing DNS tests.

[@SalyLuz-hc6he]

DNA test must be done on everyone. This could avoid a lifetime of confusion and abuse! We must not based decisions on only appearance, but we must know the facts. If there is any genetic anomaly, the parents and child must be educated to prepare them for future decisions they will face. But abusing an infant by cutting off sexual parts - this should be made immediately illegal!

[@gbosonnet]

Well she said that she had to do yearly checkups throughout her childhood due to the situation, so the doctors did know! The doctors and her parents told her she was XY (a biological male) when she was 12. But due to an enzyme deficiency, her male characteristics did not develop in the womb or subsequently.

[@anastasiarose9003]

This was so educational thank you. I'm sorry you had to go through my so much pain. It is hard for parents when doctors and etcetera don't even know the right things to do. I think you will help change the world.

[@elsaweber4323]

So helpful! Many thanks and all love and best wishes. You’re a great inspiration!

[@leonie2316]

You go, my dear,,,thank you for sharing..!!!! I am sure you have reached someone and now they are not alone!!!! Bless you!!!! 😊

[@katherinekaufman9856]

You said it perfectly, "Be proud of who you are."

[@alwa6954]

Thank you for sharing your story. I particularly liked how you put into perspective how we all probably walk past intersex people at times because it is not that rare. People need to understand that there is a spectrum of human gender and sexual expression.

[@JAntonSaad]

Thank you for sharing your story in such a great detail. It is much easier for me to understand many things after watching your video.

[@ExtremePlantGrowing]

People are to fixated on labels that others put or don’t put on them , I “identify as male” but I have a lot of traits that from my mother that are considered “ feminine” but at the end of the day these words are just that a group of letters to describe reality. People are just people everyone is unique and has their own story

[@gache52]

Thank you for sharing your story. I'm so sorry that science had not caught up with what you needed to know to navigate this physical makeup. How hard was it to give it a name? Happy intersex life to you! 🎉

[@satyenjadhav7817]

My daughter is also like you.. We are from India.she is only 7 years old... She is as beautiful as you...😊 we came to know about this when she was only 3 months... Pls let me know if any upadate on CAIS.. Thanks 🙏

[@tonyjones6904]

What a really super neat girl she's amazing it's so good to see how she's handling the situation in such a great way the most important thing is that big smile on her face

[@paulidevoss7249]

I love how courageous she is sharing her story and showing how natural intersex is. It’s our narrowly defined ideas of gender and sex that foster shame, not the beautiful variations that occur throughout nature ❤️

[@kristinenickley1755]

I have a friend who has turners..., she has never been able to work, never had a drivers license, has OCD, has been on hormone therapy since very young, she has never had a boyfriend...