Intersexual dynamics: article review and analysis

¶ … Sexes uses intersexuality as a springboard to address broader topics related to gender identity and human sexuality. "What it all boils down to is that the roots of gender identity are much more complex than anyone thought," concludes an expert in genetics interviewed for the Time magazine article (59). The main purpose of Christine Gorman and Wendy Cole's piece is to inform the public that "more babies than your think are born neither boys nor girls," and to dispel myths and fears about intersexuality (57). Published in a mainstream news magazine, the article is clearly aimed at a wide, lay audience and is designed to give a basic overview of the phenomena of intersexuality. The article opens with an anecdote about Kelli, who was assigned the male gender at birth. At eleven weeks old, Kelli, initially named Kyle, underwent extensive gender reconstruction surgery to remove genital tissues including testes and vestigial ovaries and Fallopian tubes. At the pre-pubescent age of ten, Kelli struggles with gender identity as a result of her being born essentially a hermaphrodite. Using Kelli's story as well as the tales of three other intersexuals with different prognoses, Gorman and Cole sensitively address the topic of intersexuality. The authors never stray far from the facts and offer their audience clear and understandable genetics and science information to account for the phenomenon. Therefore, the piece incorporates scientific data with poignant social commentary about one of the most controversial and sensitive subject matters in human discourse. Based on their interviews with intersexuals and with doctors and scientists, the authors determine that intersexuality is more a social issue than a medical one, and treat it as such throughout the article (59).

One of the key questions the authors raise is whether or not it is appropriate or desirable to assign a gender to an intersexual child at birth. Early gender assignment surgery used to be the primary approach used by pediatricians until fairly recently, note Gorman and Cole. However, recently and in light of more liberal social norms and viewpoints as well as scientific evidence, doctors are taking a more cautionary approach to suggesting "swift and irreversible" surgery (58). One reason to wait until puberty is that many intersexuals complain that they were assigned the wrong sex at birth (58). Moreover, the eagerness to perform surgery and hastily assign a gender to the child indicates that an overall sense of "secrecy and shame" surround intersexuality in our society (58). Gorman and Cole note that secrecy and shame, not intersexuality itself, are the main problems for intersexuals like Kelli. However, in some cases, early surgery might be required for medical or health reasons; Kelli's doctors thought that her genital tissues might end up metastasizing and becoming cancerous, for example.

The authors also question the notion of that "there are just two separate sexes," (59). The topic of intersexuality naturally raises the issue of whether gender should be rigidly defined or whether gender should rather be viewed on a continuum. Thus, Gorman and Cole work to dispel the prevalent social myth that all individuals must be assigned a clear, unequivocal gender status. Examining the collective phenomena of intersexuality can also help people to contemplate gender roles and social norms in society. For example, Gorman and Cole chose to include a telling quote from Kelli. Although she now primarily cultivates a female identity, she claims that she might elect to be a "male carpenter" because she would be "taken more seriously," (58).

The most important information contained in "Between the Sexes" therefore regards the perception of gender, gender identity, and gender flexibility. This information is far more significant and has more of an impact on readers than the scientific and biological reasons for intersexuality that the authors provide. Nevertheless, Gorman and Cole's decision to include some basic genetic information lends credibility to the article and makes the topic of intersexuality more understandable. The inclusion of scientific reasons for intersexuality also helps readers to view intersexuality as a natural, albeit unusual phenomenon.

Gorman and Cole infer and assume, probably rightly so, that most readers will be relatively unfamiliar with the subject and terminology of intersexuality; the authors also assume that most readers will also possess prejudices toward intersexuals whether conscious or not. As they state on page 59, most persons are "uncomfortable with nonstandard genetalia." Gorman and Cole's piece presents the prospect that embracing more flexible categories and constructs of gender would benefit not only intersexuals like Kelli, Elijah, Julanne, and Sherri, but all persons in our society. The social biases regarding intersexuality and transsexuality therefore provide much of the purpose for writing and publishing "Between the Sexes."