Intersex Human Rights: alla Gallaudet University se ne parla per la prima volta

Intersex Human Rights: alla Gallaudet University se ne parla per la prima volta

Giovedì 5 Novembre per la prima volta nella storia della Gallaudet University si parlerà di intersex e diritti umani. Relatrice Michela Balocchi che presenterà il tema insieme ad alcuni risultati della sua ricerca sociologica “INTERSEXIONS” (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IOF Marie Curie Actions n.627162), e parlerà anche degli ultimi sviluppi internazionali dal punto di vista dei diritti umani delle persone con tratti intersex e della sua attività come attivista in questo campo. Verranno proiettate alcune video-interviste a persone intersex, grazie al progetto the Interface Project di cui Jim Ambrose è ideatore e curatore. Sarà anche una occasione per ricordare il periodo di consapevolezza e solidarietà intersex (26 Ottobre – 8 Novembre).

Thursday, November 5, 2015

12:30 to 1:50 p.m.

I. King Jordan Student Academic Center, Sprint Multipurpose Room

Event title: Intersex Human Rights and International Developments

Presenter: Dr. Michela Balocchi, a Marie Curie Post-doctoral Research Fellow with the project “INTERSEXIONS. The Sociological Aspects of the Management of Intersexuality,” American University, Washington DC, and University of Verona (Italy).

Description: Dr. Balocchi’s presentation falls during the period marked by Intersex Awareness Day, October 26, and Intersex Solidarity Day, November 8. Intersex is an umbrella term used to describe a wide range of natural bodily variations in sex characteristics (chromosomal, gonadal, and/or anatomical). The majority of intersex conditions are not visible at birth. For those born with atypical anatomy, the traditional practice has been early surgical aesthetic intervention and hormonal therapy to orient the individual child’s characteristics to “one of the two sexes” considered to be socially and culturally acceptable. As intersex adults have testified in more recent times, these unnecessary treatments have painful and irreversible physical effects, as well as negative psychological outcomes and trauma. An international intersex human rights movement is underway to promote self-determination and bodily integrity as well as to stop unnecessary practices including infant genital surgery, non-consensual medical treatment, infanticide and abortion. 

Dr. Balocchi will provide an introduction and overview of intersex issues, briefly describe her groundbreaking research, and discuss the recent international developments in intersex human rights.

Video-testimonies from the Interface Project will be screened.