Intersex with Michelle Vande Hey
Michelle learned she was intersex, having XY chromosomes, when she was 15 years old. This led to a lot of confusion about her identity and sexual expression in a time with limited resources and cultural understanding about intersex variations.
Michelle went on to have surgery to reduce the perceived risk of cancer. She later learned that the risk was negligible, and these surgeries are often performed to “fix” genitalia and make intersex individuals more “normal”. Michelle reveals that these interventions are often not medically necessary; however, they indicate what our culture values.
Interestingly (and frighteningly), legislation that limits gender affirming care for Trans individuals leaves an exception for people who are intersex. These surgeries may be performed on children as young as infants.
People are afraid of the unknown, and it’s easy to approach these topics with a feeling of hesitation. Above all, people with intersex variations need to be recognized as people, completely normal and free from scrutiny or invasive procedures.
Intersex is not something that is scary or rare. About %1.7 of people are born intersex. Compare this to %2 of people who are redheads and %.3 of people who are identical twins.
I hope you enjoy this episode and my conversation with Michelle!
Michelle Vande Hey is a Conscious Leadership & Trauma-Sensitive Coach, Author, Speaker & Advocate. She helps changemakers and caregivers rediscover who they are, reclaim their joy and own their power. As a Holistic Life Coach, Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator, and host of the Love Your Life On Purpose podcast, Michelle guides leaders to break free from self-sacrifice and burnout to reconnect with who they are outside of what they do.
Connect with Michelle Vande Hey:
https://www.instagram.com/michellevandehey/
https://www.facebook.com/lightoflovemichelle/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-vandehey
https://www.youtube.com/@michellevandehey
Podcast:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2434859
Resources:
InterACT - Advocates for Intersex Youth
https://interactadvocates.org/
Michelle’s When Story:
