I am a Genderqueer, Intersex individual. When I was born I had a feminized urethra and other female-like qualities, including a labia. As an infant, I underwent three non-consensual, irreversible genital normalizing surgeries to change my biology ― the common Intersex experience. I say this because, as I begin to better understand my identity, I am confronted by the societal constructed idea that we as people are defined by our body parts. Particularly those few parts between our legs.

I am much more than my body parts. I know all men, women and Intersex individuals are as well.

In my home town of Dexter, Michigan. I was sexually assaulted countless times by men, and harassed sexually and non-sexually by others as well. I recall going to report a harassment experience to an officer at the Dexter City police station and was confronted with a remark that noted I would not be protected because I was not a woman or black. “I am not my body.”

People threw garbage at me inside my high school bathroom facility. I had been repeatedly humiliated and objectified on the basis of being perceived inadequate, but “I am not my body.”

I have been told not to use certain restroom facilities based on what genitals people “think” I have. I use the restroom of my choice only when others allow it. “I am not my body.”

I have been raped twice by a family member, and “I am definitely not my body.”

Some people objectify others and see certain individuals as reproductive organs rather than their entirety. This is a problem and it’s called body part discrimination. Sometimes when I walk down the street, I worry about being assaulted and murdered. These are real world dangers I face as a Genderqueer, Intersex person. I know people who carry mace because they worry about sexual assault. As a survivor, I worry about them and about myself too.

When somebody objectifies a person as a sexual object, or diminishes the experience that I or others like myself hold when pursuing our lives differently, in cases where an individual receives degrading insults for having perceived inadequate sexual characteristics; I find it wrong and that this should change. It hurts a person’s sense of self, and it affects everyone from every demographic and background which make this topic of conversation a huge issue.

The change needed here starts with a difference in mindset.

People are not things but wholesome individuals

People are all different and should all be respected regardless of their differences

People’s’ bodies are beautiful and nothing less

People are all People; do not discriminate

And consent is not necessary, It’s required

Here is a quote by a humbled man who I feel sets a respectable standard for each and every person to live by, the Dalai Lama: “Follow the three R’s. Respect for self. Respect for others and responsibility for all your actions.”

Visit this official Intersex website for any questions you may have about intersex people.