What it means to be intersex | Susannah Temko

For intersex people -- those born with sex characteristics outside the traditional definitions of female and male -- the stakes to appear "normal" are high. Drawing on her personal experience, Susannah Temko reveals the shame, prejudice and harm faced by the intersex community, as they're forced to conform to a binary understanding of sex that ultimately hinders their health and well-being. She calls on us all to discard outdated notions of biological sex and accept the complexity within humanity.

[jessejames]

I am an older intersex woman, and because I was surgically "normalized" (made male) after birth. Chromosome testing was not known in those days, and when puberty came around, I developed into a female. It took many years until I could hab the initial surgery reversed, and could begin to live my life as the female I am.
I am so happy for you young folks that you have a chance to live your life the way it was meant to be lived.

[gr]

This must be the best presentation I’ve ever watched. And I totally agree; fix prejudice, not healthy people.

[sarahbowen]

I can’t grasp the courage it takes to stand up and talk about this....amazing person!

[a_diamond]

As an intersex person, I am glad about the increased awareness.

[davidjrtodd]

What a beautiful, articulate, intelligent woman. How could anybody “dislike” this video.
All this person is doing is asking to be respected and accepted as she is.
Everything she says is wise.
Hitting “dislike” is showing that there are so many people who can’t accept who this person is. The prejudice is heartbreaking.
Thank you for this presentation. It was revelatory and incredibly courageous.

[MaxSkilZZ]

I cried at the end, it's really important to accept each other. I didn't know exactly how it is to be intersex. Much love.

[ninreck]

please @ all the biology teachers in the world, play this in your classroom each and every year to each and every class, THIS IS IMPORTANT

[subudjj]

Those rights you discuss about not being operated on your genitals without your consent should be given to boys undergoing circumcision.

[NecromancerSloth]

As usual the comment section is awful, but this talk was great. The intersex/DSD community is horribly misunderstood and under-represented. Everyone deserves bodily autonomy at the very least; non-essential surgery should never be performed on those unable to consent.

[charlescilek]

Idk about y’all, but this had me crying in my truck.

[phozi]

Thanks for this new information I didn't know about

[parzivalsapprentice]

What an incredible woman. I don't know much about intersex people but this talk brought me to tears. I too have never felt good enough for various other reasons. I feel inspired after listening to this.

[PhantomsDesire]

What I'm trying to understand is Why the down votes? SMH This is valid and very informative. Can you imagine how difficult this is for people born this way? Empathy is Priceless.

[rowandoggo]

It's a biological condition, yet just wait for the trolls to say that it's a choice.

[Caterfree]

God, the HP comparisons hurt given recent events. ;;

[johnstrickland]

Aw, she is such a lovely person. I have much empathy for her plight. I was not born intersex per se but my earliest memories in this male life was that i used to be a girl and proudly announced that to everyone and gladly feel a part of the group when chatting among women when someone walks by and generalizes the group as ladies( i accept it as a compliment)

[sketchergirl]

Just watched Emily's TED as well. I'm glad to have learned more about intersex individuals. I never thought that something as simple as "M" or "F" on a form would cause many people a difficult and stressful existence. Thank you for opening my eyes.

[eworitse]

What I have learnt from-
The video: Very good things about the intersex community and that they exist, deserve rights and shouldn’t have surgery to “fix” them without their consent when they’re old enough :)

The comment section: people are dumb asf

[sofijanikolic]

People stop hating!!! If you don't care why did you watch??? This is a very educational video🙂

[yellowcanarystudios]

Speaker: I am intersex. Here is what that means.
Audience: Wow I did not know about this. Thank you for sharing.
YouTube Comments: YOU CANT DO THAT LALALALA IM NOT LISTENING RULE FROM EXCEPTION ONLY 1.7 PERCENT THATS JUST 120 MILLION PEOPLE BOO HOO