I’m a pediatrician and Adolescent fellow at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago (I don’t share this info in my bio for personal reasons) and I am speaking out against the practice of cosmetic and medically unnecessary surgeries on intersex people w/o their consent 1/

I first learned about @Pidgejen and @IntersexJustice thru @mrhealthteacher who brought it to my attention prior to the start of my fellowship. When I arrived, I asked questions and didn’t get satisfying answers. Most of our work doesnt overlap w the clinic, but that’s no excuse 2

Medical education teaches little about being intersex, except a focus on body parts, chromosomes, and inappropriate pathologization. I’m grateful to @howardbrownhc for showing me stories of intersex folks and the physical/emotional damage of intervention 3

As a Black woman, I practice medicine to elevate marginalized voices and advocate against harm perpetuated or condoned by the medical community. Intersex bodies are normal, healthy, and beautiful. Providers and families of intersex children need education to respect them. 4

This week made me proud of the people I work with: those who spoke publicly ( @SuperKnovaMusic @Beyonces_Legs @wetfromsobbing and Adam Davies), those who offered education and joined conversations to learn more, and those who showed up to work in the midst of personal conflict 5

This was admittingly scary to write as an adolescent doc in training, but I realized the only right choice is centering marginalized experiences and voices in medicine. If you want to help this cause, please sign the below petition: https://www.change.org/p/end-intersex-surgery-at-lurie-children-s-hospital