Problems of intersex people and intersex transitioners in Russia Aleksander Beryozkin DiaNA Trans Health Conference, 9-11 June 2016 Philadelphia, PA, USA

Our focus Intersex people are not aware about themself and dont know existance of many gender variations. This is a call for the development and support of the intersex community in Russia, especially because non-binary gender expressions are not well accepted in Russia. In this presentation we describe our experiences, about the difficulties faced by young intersex people. We would like to discuss possible solutions to these problems in the context of the current situation in Russia and the experience of the international intersex movement.

Genetics/sex chromosomes Hormones Type of internal reproductive organs In humans, sex is determined by next 5 indicators: Genetics/sex chromosomes Hormones Type of internal reproductive organs Type of external reproductive organs Secondary sex characteristics

Genetics/sex chromosomes Non-intersex intersex majority of females 46XX majority of males 46XY 47 XXY 45 XO 47 YYX 47 XXX, 47 YYY 48 XXXY, 48 YYYX 45 XO/XY 46 XY

Hormones Low level of one/ both Estrogen No hormones produced Non-intersex intersex majority of females Estrogen majority of males Testosterone Low level of one/ both No hormones produced High level of one/ both High level of “opposite” hormone

Type of internal reproductive organs Non-intersex intersex majority of females ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina majority of males vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral glands Gonads – neither ovaries or testicles Combination of functional/ disfunctional ones Testies etc.

Type of EXternal reproductive organs Non-intersex intersex majority of females labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, opening of urethra, opening of vagina majority of males penis, testicles, scrotum, opening of urethra Same ones Combination of different organs Different sizes etc.

Secondary sex characteristics Non-intersex intersex majority of females breasts, wide hips, round face, small waist, small hands majority of males facial hair, Adam’s apple, large hands, large feet, square face, broad shoulders Lack or combination of different second sex characteristisc

Wtf is intersex? Intersex people are born with sex characteristics (including genitals, gonads and chromosome patterns) that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies. Intersex is an umbrella term used to describe a wide range of natural bodily variations. In some cases, intersex traits are visible at birth while in others, they are not apparent until puberty. Some chromosomal intersex variations may not be physically apparent at all.

True or false? 1 in 2000 people is intersex

1- 4 % of population are intersex False 1- 4 % of population are intersex

terminology Hermophrodite Third sex Disorder of Sex Development (DSD) Disorder of Sex Differentiation Variation of Sex Anatomy/Development Intersex Variation Difference of Sex Development (DSD) Sex characteristics

intersex variations - 5-alpha reductase deficiency - Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) - Aphallia - Clitoromegaly (large clitoris) - Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) - Gonadal dysgenesis (partial & complete) - Hypospadias - Klinefelter Syndrome - Micropenis - Mosaicism involving "sex" chromosomes - MRKH (Mullerian agenesis; vaginal agenesis; congenital absence of vagina) - Ovo-testes (formerly called "true hermaphroditism") - Partial Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (PAIS) - Progestin Induced Virilization - Swyer Syndrome - Turner Syndrome

issues faced by intersex people worldwide Pathologisation of Intersex people Prenatial diagnosis and abortion of intersex fetuses Infanticide Surgeries without well-informed consent Heteronormative hormone treatment Hidden/ restricted access to medical information Doctors make people feel isolated Stigmatization / Shame / Bullying / Internalized intersexphobia Physical / Sexual / Psychological Abuse Workplace discrimination

Specific Intersex problems in russia Confusion in terminology Disability status Lack of protection by law Very strict gender roles Possible law about “physo-sexual adaptation”(conversion therapy) Very enforced heteronormativity by majority of society and state Homonormativity by LGBT+ community Lack of intersex community as it is statement of medical experts at the IV Russian Congress of children's urology and andrology, Moscow, April 4-5, 2015 " Personality can not development without of male or female gender identity. In other words, if obstetricians define him or her as a boy or a girl at the birth, then he or she must develop according to the laws of a society.[3]

Intersex activism in the world Malta Germany Australia UK (Jersey island and Sctolnad) Attemps to reform of International Classification of Deseases Intersex Human Rights protection and representation (InterAct) Intersex patients work (AXXY, Accordalliance) Monitoring violance and discrimination by SIGM (Swiss)

Intersex activism in Russia by ARSI Analysis of legislation Educational events Research into intersex issues Psychological consultations Raising information about intersex people Providing the necessary guidance and information Creating workshops for Russian lgbt+ activists about intersex issues Building connections with international LGBTQIAP+ organisations

Intersex transioners in russia The problem with legally changing sex identification No access to hormone treatment if you do not comply with “transexualism” No phycological help Compulsory medical exam (army) No surgeries for intersex transitioners

Thank you for listening!