How can we foster intersex inclusion in our pro-life activism?
As pride month comes to a close, it is crucial that we recognize that the fight for total liberation includes liberation for intersex people, who are lethally discriminated against by Big Abortion and often isolated from support systems for families designed with the typical definitions of “mothers” and “fathers” in mind.
Whole-life reproductive justice must include all people, including those outside of the sex binary. The links embedded in this blog post provide helpful information and context, and we would like to encourage you to look through them in order to learn more about intersex people’s experiences.
Protecting Intersex Babies from Abortion
Intersex individuals, particularly those with Turner Syndrome (XO) and Klinefelter Syndrome (XXY), are lethally discriminated against in the womb. In this 2012 review of data from 19 studies, it’s been found that about 76% of babies prenatally diagnosed with Turner Syndrome and about 61% of babies prenatally diagnosed with Klinefelter Syndrome are aborted.
Many of these abortions against intersex children are encouraged by fear — both the direct fear-mongering of physicians and the fears associated with having a child outside the sex binary in our current society. Even pro-choice advocates have spoken up about the immense pressure to abort intersex babies. We can prevent the continuation of this injustice through combating the stigma against intersex individuals and encouraging parents of prenatally diagnosed intersex children to connect with communities of intersex people rather than allow themselves to be fear-mongered into ending the lives of their children.
Being a Safe Space for Intersex Parents
Intersex people, like anyone else, are deserving of privacy regarding if, when, and how they will have children. There is a lot of diversity in fertility amongst intersex people, with some being able to get pregnant, some being able to impregnate others, and some not being able to do either. It’s best to avoid invasive questions regarding fertility and family planning.
Because intersex babies are often subjected to medically unnecessary surgeries they cannot consent to, intersex adults may experience a deep distrust of doctors and other medical professionals. Being sensitive to healthcare trauma, as well as the societal isolation of intersex people, is essential to supporting intersex pregnant and parenting people.
