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The #EndIntersexSurgery press conference is going on RIGHT NOW! Will tweet some summary points here.
We started with the amazing @SeanSaifaWall and @knightktm talking about work for intersex people's own choices...
We started with the amazing @SeanSaifaWall and @knightktm talking about work for intersex people's own choices...
. @IndyaMoore: "It's really important to link intersex justice with trans liberation." They continue to speak on how infant intersex genital surgery is a form of conversion therapy.
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU!
. @Pidgejen takes the mic to say, "organize on your OWN BLOCK!"
Medicine has become a business. They use the metaphor of being placed on a factory conveyor belt towards "girl," with the intersex surgeries that they survived. https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-life-intersex-surgeries-20181018-story.html
Medicine has become a business. They use the metaphor of being placed on a factory conveyor belt towards "girl," with the intersex surgeries that they survived. https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-life-intersex-surgeries-20181018-story.html
. @Pidgejen brings up the phrase "future husband," which is why so many assumed-feminine intersex people are told they need to surgically change their bodies.
"Imagine the world we need to thrive, not just survive." They shout out @prisonculture.
Organizing starts at home, which is what @SeanSaifaWall, @Pidgejen, and @IntersexJustice did. They started with ONE hospital: @LurieChildrens
Organizing starts at home, which is what @SeanSaifaWall, @Pidgejen, and @IntersexJustice did. They started with ONE hospital: @LurieChildrens
"Right when you think it's not gonna happen, it happens." @Pidgejen emphasizes building beautiful coalitions, adds hope for #BlackLivesMatter 
and other movements we fight for.
and other movements we fight for.
. @DrEllieKim was the first @LurieChildrens staff member to speak up against the intersex surgeries going on in her hospital. She was instrumental in breaking up the system from the inside. THANK YOU, DR. KIM.
. @Pidgejen thanks @LynnellStephani for being the third co-founder of IJP, a major figure in intersex history, and a huge support. THANK YOU, Lynnell, for all you've done for the movement. https://www.interfaceproject.org/lynnell-stephani-long
interACT Program Coordinator Bria Brown-King now speaks on #CongenitalAdrenalHyperplasia, which Lurie's statement names as a potential exception to ethics due to some parents' groups wanting infant surgery.
It's about CHOICE, not terminology. https://interactadvocates.org/intersex-congenital-adrenal-hyperplasia/
It's about CHOICE, not terminology. https://interactadvocates.org/intersex-congenital-adrenal-hyperplasia/
"I've received numerous messages from parents and adults with CAH who want to speak out against [intersex] surgery, but are afraid to do so because other parents or their doctors silence them."
But in reality? "There's nothing but love and support." https://interactadvocates.org/genital-surgery-and-congenital-adrenal-hyperplasia/
But in reality? "There's nothing but love and support." https://interactadvocates.org/genital-surgery-and-congenital-adrenal-hyperplasia/
We now hear from @RepKellyCassidy of Chicago, who joins us from a marathon of daily press conferences.
She says to @LurieChildrens: "Thank you for hearing us. Apologies are hard." And not common.
She says to @LurieChildrens: "Thank you for hearing us. Apologies are hard." And not common.
"Next time listen to the stakeholders first, without someone having to intervene." - @RepKellyCassidy to children's hospitals performing intersex surgery.
. @RepKellyCassidy thanks Lurie, and thanks @IntersexJustice for being trusted in the fight.
She has received care for her family at the hospital, and infant intersex surgery is not consistent with the rest of the amazing things the hospital does for communities.
She has received care for her family at the hospital, and infant intersex surgery is not consistent with the rest of the amazing things the hospital does for communities.
"Operate by the principle: nothing about us without us. And every single time you're going to get better policy. Guaranteed." @RepKellyCassidy
. @Stephanie_Skora from @BSAllianceChi (in an amazing color coordinated purple and yellow #EndIntersexSurgery outfit) says this is the "first in a long string of victories."
"We can never have our liberation as trans people unless intersex people are right there with us."
"We can never have our liberation as trans people unless intersex people are right there with us."
"None of us can have bodily autonomy unless all of us have bodily autonomy."
"Consent is the baseline for every medical procedure."
@Stephanie_Skora on intersex and trans solidarity, yes!
"Consent is the baseline for every medical procedure."
@Stephanie_Skora on intersex and trans solidarity, yes!
Racism and transphobia and interphobia from doctors is all interconnected. This IS an intersectional issue.
"At most risk are individuals that @BSAllianceChi strives to serve: Black and Brown parents, infants, who already bear the heinous burden of medical racism."
"At most risk are individuals that @BSAllianceChi strives to serve: Black and Brown parents, infants, who already bear the heinous burden of medical racism."
"Hire more than one intersex person. Dive deeply into the communities who have been trying to get you to listen for years."
AND NOW QUESTIONS FROM JOURNALISTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS!
Someone asks @SeanSaifaWall: "what's next?"
"We will use this win to leverage other hospitals to stop this practice. We're looking at @nyphospital where I was harmed. @WeillCornell. Dix Poppas." Looking for accountability in New York, where he is from. And broadly.
"We will use this win to leverage other hospitals to stop this practice. We're looking at @nyphospital where I was harmed. @WeillCornell. Dix Poppas." Looking for accountability in New York, where he is from. And broadly.
. @Pidgejen wants to "grow @IntersexJustice to be a container that can outlive us."
To do the work in a way where self-care is as much a part as shutting down surgeries.
To do the work in a way where self-care is as much a part as shutting down surgeries.
. @kaibro_repro, in genetics counseling, asks @DrEllieKim how she got hospital higher-ups to make changes.
Dr. Kim says 3 things helped:
1. Strength in numbers.
2. Find major players. (e.g. celebs, big faculty)
3. Point to Lurie Children's. We now have an example.
Dr. Kim says 3 things helped:
1. Strength in numbers.
2. Find major players. (e.g. celebs, big faculty)
3. Point to Lurie Children's. We now have an example.
Journalist @shoeleatherkate asks: what do we think made this happen from Lurie NOW?
@DrEllieKim thinks internal AND external movements working together. @Pidgejen references first PR department call from Lurie in a panicked response to them sharing their story years ago.
@DrEllieKim thinks internal AND external movements working together. @Pidgejen references first PR department call from Lurie in a panicked response to them sharing their story years ago.
The hospital invited @Pidgejen to a quiet basement meeting, but Pidgeon brought @interACT_adv founder and lawyer Anne Tamar-Mattis.
Clinic lead Earl Cheng said he wanted to do right, but when asked by ATM if he would account for harm: he said NO.
Clinic lead Earl Cheng said he wanted to do right, but when asked by ATM if he would account for harm: he said NO.
Now, years later, it's trans clinic employees at Lurie like @DrEllieKim leading the charge. They called out the difference between how trans and intersex children are treated. They demanded Dr. Cheng change and admit accountability.
Trans celebrities like @IndyaMoore spoke up, asking Lurie: how can you be using our images to advertise progress for helping trans kids, while still doing infant surgeries on intersex kids?
"See the writing on the wall," says @Pidgejen. Other hospitals can follow this example. It is TIME.
Last question to iA Program Coordinator Bria Brown-King: what resources are there for parents re: intersex surgery?
"Follow interACT, @IntersexJustice, and check out the intersex brochures, resources, and blog posts on interACT's website." https://interactadvocates.org/genital-surgery-and-congenital-adrenal-hyperplasia/
"Follow interACT, @IntersexJustice, and check out the intersex brochures, resources, and blog posts on interACT's website." https://interactadvocates.org/genital-surgery-and-congenital-adrenal-hyperplasia/
Emcee @knightktm hands off to @SeanSaifaWall and @Pidgejen to close the conference.
Saifa speaks on meeting interACT founder Anne Tamar-Mattis in 2011. He said then: "I want the institutions to crumble. What happened to me and so many of my intersex siblings is not right."
Saifa speaks on meeting interACT founder Anne Tamar-Mattis in 2011. He said then: "I want the institutions to crumble. What happened to me and so many of my intersex siblings is not right."
. @Pidgejen: "We're not just about intersex. We're about intersex POC specifically. Remember, this fight is bigger than what we talk about here."
"This is state-sanctioned violence. We call on everyone to fight for all marginalized communities. When we come together, we win."
"This is state-sanctioned violence. We call on everyone to fight for all marginalized communities. When we come together, we win."
THANK YOU EVERYONE. The conference recording may be shared if all participants agree, stay tuned. In the mean time please see the press release for contact information for questions! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jMoUzo0UE2O2mgIBGhpx6DBpM3GWAq_Y/view?usp=sharing
