Intersex — redefining gender | DW Documentary

Christian is intersex: neither totally female nor totally male. Just like 160,000 other people in Germany. As a child, Christian was operated to live as a girl. Now, he identifies as a man and wants to know how that fateful decision came to pass.

Christian’s hobbies are fitness and motorcycling. He'd like to marry some day and have children of his own, but it's unlikely he ever will. As a congenitally intersex child, he underwent surgery and grew up as a girl. Today, he regrets that decision and places part of the blame on the surgeon. He contacted her, but the ensuing discussion was largely disappointing. Christian's parents blame themselves, but they still defend their decision back then, saying they had been ill advised. Either way, Christian still has to live with the consequences. A report by Franziska Ehrenfeld, Insa Rauscher and Hannah Reineke.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch high-class documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of current affairs and global events. Subscribe and explore the world around you with DW Documentary.

Subscribe to DW Documentary:

Our other YouTube channels:

For more documentaries visit also:
Instagram
Facebook:

[sarahvegangarden]

Doctors are so quick sometimes to operate. They destroy people's lives by reacting too hastily. This poor family are suffering the consequences. Just leave kids alone and they can grow up to be whoever they are, and be accepted by society. Surgery is often such a bad idea.

[enatp]

This poor guy is just trying to make sense of his situation. He's an awesome guy and hope he keeps on fighting for his right to feel good about his life

[RickyKingPlays]

The parents weren't aware that time, they trusted the doctor. It's the doctor's fault. Medical ethics and law should be changed in that country. Christian is very brave to share his story. I wish he could find someone who would love him despite what happened.

[LaurenJourney]

He's a good looking guy I'm sure he'll find a woman to love him for who he is and for his heart. I wish him all the happiness in the world.

[sarahvegangarden]

This is a sensible, compassionate man, despite all he's been through.

[katharina...]

This is heartbreaking. The family is dealing so well with it though! I hope that some day Christian will find peace and will be able to turn his experience into something truly positive and inspiring.

Stay strong, Christian, keep asking questions, keep seeking answers and better solutions. And like your mum said - stay positive, you may yet have all your wishes fulfilled, why wouldn't you? :) By the way, it's great that you received an apology from the doctor, and that you are able to have such an open and honest conversation with your parents about everything that's happened, I'm very happy for you! All the best, Christian!

[comment.highlighted]

Christian, thank you for your story and your honesty. Continue being strong and be the man you want to be. I know this story will help many people. 🙂

[GNeuman]

Two things have to happen NOW!

1) the complete banning of ANY kind of sexual reassignment surgery on children.
2) the law has to be changed to recognise the third sex. Intersex people are relatively common and yet their gender is not recognised by law. This is totally unjust.

[yippie]

So he has male XY chromosomes but the doctor decided to make him into a girl anyway? Now he has to live with that for the rest of his life. Really tough. The doctor should be sued.

[coolspot]

I think nothing in any human being should be cut until they are 18 years to make their decision it is their body and they have a right.

[internetgorilla]

Its none of my business, this particular family matter, but I'm so upset. I can't articulate my anger.

[ilasky]

That is an incredibly beautiful man.

Many women do not like conventional sex, he will find a life partner and have the family he dreams of and should have in spite of all the hell he went through. There are so many children who need a family and he will have the compassionate nature that is the hallmark of a great father.

[samurilip]

that dr should be sued and fired, and never allowed to practice medicine.

[ZenGuitarShred]

All he wants is an appology and a rational explanation ...stop giving him the excuses, the "ooh it was because of the times" just say you were afraid and confused. Im sorry. Thats all that he wants.

[oleksandrdudchenko]

I am surprised they left the comment section open 😂

[toughlifevirgina]

I would love all the people claiming fashionable 78 genders to watch this and reevaluate their victim status. Christian's story is real and heartfelt. I admire his bravery.

[maianhvu]

Please do not say "Think positively, people had it much harder." Gosh, wasn't it clear enough what has been done has left a traumatic mark in his life forever, physically and mentally. Not to blame the parents for it, but at least, listen, recognize and understanding his feeling.

[devon]

One choice here. A very public law suit is needed.

[antoniomarcos]

Intersexuality: a biological condition (being somewhere between two sexes).
Transgenderism: a mental condition (transiting between two genders).

These are completely different things. It's because that horrible doctor and those nasty parents didn't care to learn that difference that the man on the video was inadvertently castrated. Don't offend him any further; he's been through enough already.

[OmarDelawar]

If Christian lived in the US that doctor would have been sued out of existence by now.