Last year I began doing research into the social consequences of being intersexed and/or transsexual. I am focussing on people’s experiences of the medical profession, and how this has affected them.
Before the 1970’s, many homosexuals were treated for what was then regarded as a mental illness, and had very negative experiences as a result. In the past five to ten years, it has become more widely known that many intersex children received treatment (surgery and gender reinforcement) for their "conditions". Many are never told about this treatment, some find out about it later in life because of associated medical or psychological problems, including gender dysphoria, some live with a vague unease that something doesn’t quite fit. The relationship between intersex and transsexual identity is a complex one, largely because of the secrecy that frequently surrounds the former.
Some transsexuals have reported dissatisfaction with the restricted access to treatment; others have later come to regret the treatment they had. Openly gay and lesbian people sometimes report being subject to prejudice by medical staff. Some transsexual and intersex people have had similar experiences. I am not looking solely for negative experiences, simply trying to get people’s stories about how they were treated in an area full of myth and lacking detail.
I am doing the research because there has been so little official follow-up in the UK. It is important to look into this because research shows that increasing numbers of people in the West are experiencing problems with their reproductive systems. The effects range from infertility, malformation and cancer, to intersex conditions. While intersex conditions have been around for a number of years it seems that the incidence is increasing, and the cause may be environmental pollution amongst other things.
I am asking for people from these communities to share their stories about medical intervention and how it has affected them. I am looking primarily for people who had any kind of genital or gonad anomalies, and/or people who felt discomfort with their assigned gender role and gender identity. People who had surgery; people given hormones to aid development; people who had psychiatric intervention; people who are aware they did not have these, despite falling into the categories of people who do; people who had dealings with the medical establishment and who feel that their identity had an effect on the treatment they received.
This not a statistical study, it is people’s experience that is being looked at. I am also open to hearing stories by members of the medical profession, care workers, parents or partners involved with people who had such experiences. This study is independent, and any information given will be treated in strictest confidence. Where information is used, it will only be with agreement, and anonymously, without attribution. This is the first time this research has been done in the UK.
If you are interested in participating, contact me, Michelle O’Brien, for an informal chat: 020 8392 3455, 07966 448 934,
or: michelle.obrien@roehampton.ac.uk
Sociology Department
School of Business, Social Science and Computing
Roehampton University
80 Roehampton Lane
London SW15 5SL
If you have any concerns raise them with myself (Michelle),
David Woodman (Deputy Head of School) - 020 8392 3091, M.Balzani@roehampton.ac.uk.