Introduction: Since at least the 1950s, based on the theories of Dr John Money, it has been standard practice in medicine to choose and assign one of two binary sexes to intersex children born with ambiguous genitalia before cementing that decision with surgery. Intersex people with variations such as Klinefelter syndrome often go undiagnosed and untreated because of a lack of intersex awareness or training due, in part, to the erasure of intersex people through ‘normalising’ medical procedures. Purpose: While much has been written on early medical treatment of intersex people, primarily from a medical perspective, there is a paucity of literature on the needs and lived experiences of older intersex people. Method: Sampling was achieved using a snowball technique through intersex activist organisations and social media. Using Critical Narrative Analysis (Langdridge, 2007), the life histories of 20 intersex individuals older than 50 years of age from across several European countries were explored through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Results: Key narratives such as experiences of biological family, education, employment, friendship and community, medical treatment, mental health, and help seeking are identified and explored through intersectionality theory (Crenshaw, 1989, 1991; McCall, 2005). Conclusions: Participants’ life histories reveal hidden intersections between age, disability, sexuality, gender, and hegemonic society indicating pressing needs for medical reform, intersex awareness and education, and mental health supports.
| Date of Award | 24 May 2024 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Sponsors | European Commission |
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| Supervisor | Amanda Firth (Main Supervisor) |
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