#cimi

[status-quo-hater]

Referring to IGM and CIMI generally as "gender affirming care for cis people with sex disorders" during arguments with TERFs is one of the most evil things perisex trans people and cis allies do regularly.

[intersexfairy]

browsing my favorite subreddit again (intersex sub) and figured this would be very helpful for some perisex trans people to hear:

"You cannot transition to being intersex as it is a congenital sex status that describes the way the body naturally develops. Inferring that someone can become/transition to being intersex is harmful because also implies that the reverse is true, and that those of us subjected to Intersex Genital Mutilation, medical abuse, and harm are no longer intersex. It implies that we can be "corrected" to perisex and that we can be erased. People who have neutral, nonbinary, or mixed sex transition goals/acquired anatomy can use "Altersex" instead of appropriating the intersex label."

this is the most concise explanation, but here's more:

"It is a common misconception to confuse intersex and trans experiences. We share some, but being intersex doesn't make you trans. Same as being trans does not make you intersex. However it is very much possible to have an intersex condition and be trans at the same time. For some of us this is a very painful reality when the individual got altered as an infant without consent only to realize later in life to re-alter what got forced upon them."

And as far as the "say you're intersex to avoid transphobia" thing goes:

"Not only is it inappropriate to pretend to be part of a minority group you have to be born into but it also harms us as you will misrepresent our experience, struggles, etc. and this contributes to our erasure. It is offensive and ignorant of our realities.

Telling people you are intersex also does not protect you from transphobia. Instead, it will open you up to intersexism. Intersexism is just as violent as transphobia"

[thisis-intersexism]

Afab intersex trans ftm here, and I have recently been diagnosed with an adrenal gland disorder, which affects how my body both processes adrenaline and hormones. I am allergic to both estrogen and progesterone to the point where my body tried to kill me every time I got my period. I don't feel like I have a right to "claim" the intersex label due to the fact that, according to my doctor, I have the "perfect example of female anatomy" internally (my uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, as well as my external genitalia before I started testosterone 3 and a half months ago) my body responded very well, and very quickly, to testosterone, and i have felt 100% healthier since starting it.

I know that this makes me hormonally intersex, but it doesn't feel like it due to my anatomy. It feels wrong to label myself as intersex, even though I am. It feels wrong, despite the fact that I get my transition almost 100% covered by my insurance due to the fact that I am now labeled as intersex in their system, and it is covered under "correction of deformity".

- 🍵

this is internalized intersexism 🫂

I understand, anon. I feel like there is a strong issue of genitalism within and without the intersex community, this idea that we must all have a visible variation in our reproductive organs, but it is so much more than that.

and, please, never be mad at yourself for getting the care you need. the system labeling it as "correction of deformity" is not your fault. you are intersex, and you are allowed to be happy with the care you're receiving even in a world with doctors that treat you like a mistake.

[myirlnameiscloud]

Being reassigned a sex after birth is easily one of the craziest things that has ever happened to me as an intersex person, and I almost never see any discussion of it within the intersex community. Like, there's so much nuance to this!! There's so much to talk about here! Istg the only reason it's not as talked about is because people who were reassigned a sex after birth have almost always experienced CIMI, and even within the intersex community, those who have suffered CIMI often have their voices silenced.

Like. One day I'm expected by doctors to "act female," the next I'm expected to "act male." One week I'm forced to take estrogen and progesterone, the next I'm given testosterone instead. (I love T don't worry) Some of my older legal documents say "F", some newer ones say "M". Is that not crazy?? And I feel like I should be grateful for it as a trans man, but honestly I wish sex assignment would just go away forever.

[briarpiranian]

Perisex trans folk, I will not hold your hands while I say this.

You may think you are not hurting anyone by pretending to be intersex to get GAC. But just because you don't personally witness the ways you're hurting people does not mean you aren't causing harm. And you are.

Every time someone gets GAC by pretending to be intersex, systemic intersexism in medicine gets reenforced. You are actively rewarding doctors for performing unnecessary nonconsensual surgeries and "treatments" on intersex people. This encourages them to do it more.

And the fact that those treatments are nonconsensual is not the only way they harm us. CIMI and IGM cause permanent health problems, sterilization, and disfigurement.

[willowbilly]

Trans children being deprived of gender affirming care whereas intersex children are routinely suffering medically violent gender enforcing care that may be called "gender affirming" really makes one sick

[this-is-varsexism-transphobia]

This is Varsexism but also intersex joy! Saw a TikTok recently of a mom who gave birth to a kid with ambiguous genitals and in the comments someone said that they can "get it fixed" when the kid is around 6 months old and the original poster responded saying that she plans on doing no such thing, only necessary surgeries to make sure her kid can function properly (pee, poop, menstruate if that happens, etc) and will be raising them as best they can to love their intersexuality. Made me feel good ^-^

This is intersexism and intersex solidarity!

Thank god that the mother is not mutilating her baby. You'd think this should be the bare minimum, but unfortunately its ultra normalized to the point that its considered the standard for children with a majority of intersex genital variations, and many parents get fear-mongered into doing it.

[vh-vulvicryptid]

Is pcos intersex?

I suspect myself to have pcos (have numerous symptoms. facial hair growth, irregular periods, im fat [tho my weight could be unrelated], [the ones ahead run in my fam tho] acne, and oily skin). I think I have minor acanthosis nigricans (mainly my armpits from what i’ve noticed)

Haven’t been officially diagnosed but i wouldn’t be surprised if i did end up having it. During laser facial hair appointments (my mom takes me. I hate going to the appointments tho. I don’t mind the hair.) the lady that does them has brought up the possibility of pcos being a reason for the facial hair. Or stress but considering the facial hair has been going on for years i doubt it’s stress-related.

yes, PCOS falls under the intersex umbrella! as does congenital hyperandrogenism even if there isn't a specific diagnosis, & you also don't need a medical diagnosis in general to be intersex. its not a term you need handed to you by a doctor, its smth you choose for yourself :) (also i uh. am not a medical professional but i do think naturally higher T is probably more likely than stress causing you to grow facial hair for years!)

i'm very sorry you are having to get laser even though you don't want to. that sounds like CIMI (coerced intersex medical interventions) which isn't okay at all; it should be entirely your decision if you keep your facial hair or not, not something your mom chooses for you even if you hate it.