WHEN questioned about intersex people (those whose sex is ambiguous at birth), McIntyre said that intersex was a “very unique situation” that was “actually quite rare”.
His approach was criticised by a theologian, Dr Susannah Cornwall of Exeter University, author of a forthcoming book on Christian responses to intersex issues. She said that intersex is “roughly as common” as Down’s syndrome or cystic fibrosis.
“The significance of intersex goes far beyond its statistical frequency, since it forces us to re-examine the whole notion of a binary sex system,” said Cornwall, “It is simply not possible to say with any certainty where the line between maleness and femaleness lies.”
Ekklesia: Alarm as campaigners promote "therapy" for gay people.
External links:
- Church Times – Running to catch up with intersex, by Susannah Cornwall
- thisisexeter.co.uk – First Person: Susannah Cornwall, theologian at Exeter University
