持續不斷的變革 - 援助社團

正如本講中一再提及的那樣，如今已經有了數個中間性提倡和援助社團，還有的團體則把自己的工作限定在特定的染色體異常或激素紊亂的中間性者的援助方面。不過，所有的這些團體全都團結了起來，為了一個總體的目標，以改善那些天生具有外部和/或內部性器官異常的個體的醫療、心理、社會和法律境遇。為達此目標，這些團體不僅設法為相關個人及其家人提供教育，而且培訓醫學和法律專業人員以及在公眾中普及有關知識。在追尋這一使命的過程中，這些團體不斷地尋求與研究人員、醫生和法律工作者對話，也撰寫文章介紹中間性的知識和接待來訪。最為重要的是，團體成員們想方設法提供準確的知識，而且只要是可能，會主動為一個一個的中性者提供具體的幫助。他們所提供的最為有效的手段之一就是互聯網。這些團體的許多網站資訊甚至於對專業人士也是非常豐富的，因為他們的網站不僅報導最新的科學成果，而且清晰地刊載了極具指導價值的經驗和就診病人的熱切期望。簡而言之，中間性援助社團現在已經是熱心於處理中間性的任何努力中的有機組成部分。中間性團體的主要目標可以概括如下：

•  提供資訊和開展教育，以抗擊對中間性病症的無根無據和無緣無故的羞辱、封鎖、忽視、偏見和歧視。
• 要求公開所涉及病例的醫生診斷和治療過程。
• 抵制對異常性器官的所謂常規的“標準化”外科手術。
• 在一個孩子是男或女的性別指派(sex assignment)中，要求根據這個孩子的最後發育來確定性別，而不是迫於墨守成規者的壓力而作出性別指派。
• 改進公共衛生保健。
• 通過給有關個體及其家人、以及處於相似處境的其他人提供他們理應獲得的資訊或知識，幫助他們過著正常的生活。

Intersexuality - Dealing with Intersexuality

Continuing Changes - Support Groups

As repeatedly mentioned in this course, there are now several intersex advocacy and support groups. Some try to cover a variety of intersexual conditions, others limit themselves to specific chromosomal or hormonal problems. However, all of these groups are united in their overall goal of improving the medical, psychological, social, and legal situation of persons born with atypical external and/or internal sex organs. In order to achieve this goal, the groups try to educate not only the persons concerned and their families, but also the medical and legal professions and the public at large. Pursuing this mission, they seek a continuous dialogue with researchers, doctors and lawyers, They also write articles and give interviews. Most importantly, they try to provide accurate information, and, whenever possible, to offer concrete assistance to individuals. One of their most effective tools has proved to be the internet. Many of their web sites are very informative, even for specialists, not only because they report the latest scientific findings, but also because they articulate the highly instructive experiences and aspirations of medical patients. In short, intersex support groups are now an integral part of any serious attempt of dealing with intersexuality. Their main goals can be summarized as follows:

• Inform and educate in order to combat unwarranted shame, secrecy, ignorance, prejudice, and discrimination associated with intersexual conditions.
• Demand full disclosure from doctors with regard to both diagnosis and treatment.
• Campaign against the routine surgical “normalization” of atypical sex organs.
• Demand sex assignment as female or male based on the likely later development of the child, not on immediate conformist pressures.
• Improve access to health care.
• Support the individuals concerned and their families by giving them access to the information they need and to other individuals in similar situations.