Letter to Dr Tanya Lienert of Southern Cross University on Their Exclusion of Intersex from Their Research.
Dr Tanya Lienert
ASLaRC
Southern Cross University
Box 157 Lismore
NSW 2480
7 November, 2009
Dear Dr Lienert,
I noticed in your survey on end of life choices you have neglected to include intersex. Can you tell me the reason for that exclusion?
Intersex is as relevant to this survey as transsexualism, one of the Ts in GLBT.
Transsexualism is not about sexual preference, however it is generally included in GLBT because of the similarities in the way they are marginalised and discriminated against.
Intersex is likewise not about sexuality though intersex people are as likely to be GLB as anyone else.
I would be grateful if you considered including intersex in any future GLBTI research you undertake. It is vital that intersex is included because there is almost no research about us save for a bit on our supposed ‘medical’ differences.
Intersex is routinely excluded from studies such as yours so there is no academic information on how we fare with end of life decisions, aged care, depression, domestic violence, medical services, discrimination and so on. The list is endless.
It is a simple matter to Google search and see pictures of our genitalia and descriptions of our differences, but there is nothing on how we fare in society save for a little anecdotal evidence and a few studies with tiny sample groups.
I ask for your help in making intersex a visible part of GLBTI and support by including intersex in your research.
Sincerely,
Gina Wilson
President OII Australia.
Related Links:
- Forums look at end-of-life care, Southern Cross University
- Dr Tanya Lienert, PhD(La Trobe), BA(Deakin), BA(Hons)(Deakin), Casual Academic, Aged Services Learning & Research Centre, Coffs Harbour – email
- Ms Sue Kelly, Ethics Complaints Officer and Secretary, Human Research Ethics – email
- Professor Bill Boyd, Chair, HREC
