By Edwin Perley

The novel "The New Girl" does suggest a method of raising an intersexed child that is different in a good many ways from what is considered "standard" practice. It should be noted, however, that the intersex sites I have visited have vigorously taken exception to much of this accepted practice. Further the "experts" have shown a general failure to do follow-ups to see how successful their strategies were. The following describes how the family in my novel deals with their reality of having an intersexed child. The strategies described in my novel are not meant as a recommendation for treatment. It is merely the comparison of a what--if situation to reality.

When Chris was born, it was immediately noted that the baby's external sex organs were not normal, making it impossible to immediately know what gender he was. Genetically he was found to be about 40% male and 60% female. Though he had a vagina, the other external organs had structures more similar to that of a male. The internal organs were abnormal, but still clearly male. Sexual function was one of the most important criteria used to determine Chris's gender. In the end, it was decided to raise Chris as a boy. The family and doctors chose to not do any corrective surgery on Chris, to keep their options open, just in case.

I have read of a few accounts in which uncertainty about a child's future development causes surgery to be postponed. But usually, the experts are able to figure out the "correct" gender of the child, based on predicted development and sexual function. The parents are then urged to agree to cosmetic surgery of the genitals at a very early age. The idea is to prevent gender confusion in the child, and to protect him or her from the embarrassment if others discover the abnormalities. Many of these people, however, upon reaching adulthood, feel great resentment that they were never given the opportunity to choose to have cosmetic surgery. They further resent not being able to find out what procedures were done on them. It is often difficult or impossible to find the medical records.

Hormone therapy was applied, and Chris's physical and psychological development were monitored closely. Chris was encouraged by participation with his father and tomboy sister to engage in masculine pursuits like sports, outdoor activities, and model building. Though he developed real interest in these, he still showed some feminine tendencies. He did his best to camouflage them. Chris's condition was not kept secret from him. He was told about his condition as soon as his parents had decided he was mature enough to deal with it.

The idea of telling a child he is intersexed is contrary to what is recommended by many physicians. The testimonials of almost all intersexed individuals I have seen indicate that they wish that they had been told. In many cases, individuals came to a realization during adolescence that there was something wrong with them. According to them, knowing something is wrong with you, but not being able to find out what or why, is far worse than knowing the truth.

As Chris neared puberty, everyone realized that serious problems were developing. In spite of hormone therapy, Chris was taking on an increasingly feminine appearance. All, including, Chris himself, came to realize that raising him as a boy had been a mistake. It was becoming more and more difficult for him to pass as a boy. He was told he had a very big choice ahead of him. Would he choose to grow up to be a man in a woman's body, regarded as a freak, pervert, or both? Or would he choose to take on a female identity, and be accepted by society as normal?

In practice, gender change with intersexed people usually occurs either in infancy or adulthood. The argument my novel presents is that sometimes it might be better to have a gender change before going into adolescence if an individual clearly shows that inclination. A number of people who did have gender changes in adulthood reported that their adolescence was very painful, scarring them psychologically for years afterward.

This is where the novel begins. Though he wishes he could remain male, Chris decides that he would rather be thought of by others as normal, and not a freak. But the whole idea of gender change is so frightening to him, that an elaborate plan is devised to push him into it in such a way that he can't "chicken" out. Chris is not willing to experiment with a female identity until he becomes legally female.

Years ago, the most famous American transsexual, Christine Jorgensen, also chose to take this route when she became a female. From what I have read, adults are usually obliged to conduct "field tests" before a final decision is made.

So one morning, Christopher becomes Christine, and the family leaves for a new life in another state. They take a three-week vacation to give her time to decide whether being female will work for her. At the end of their vacation Chris decides that being a girl is easier, even though she is still uncomfortable in her new identity. After they settle in their new home in California, no one suspects that there is anything unusual about her, except that she is something of a tomboy. Chris's problems are far from over, however. Even though no one knows, she is constantly aware that she is not what she seems to be. This is the principal reason she asks to have cosmetic surgery of her genitals as soon as possible. Afterward, she regrets it. She is afraid to experiment with romantic relationships out of fear of what could happen if the person found out what she really is. Anyway, she finds it difficult to have any desire for physical affection with the "opposite" sex, because she had thought of herself as a boy for so long.

Intersexed people have good reason to be afraid of being found out. Some of the personal accounts I have read have told of some really terrible things that can happen. Many accounts of intersexed persons indicate a good deal regret and resentment concerning cosmetic surgery they were subjected to. It really is a shame that our society, in defining gender, puts so much emphasis on what we have between our legs. As far as the adolescent dating scene goes, a good many of the accounts I have read indicate little or no activity in that regard.

So Chris goes all through junior high and high school, carrying her secret and hoping that it will remain hidden. Unfortunately, in doing a background story about an award she is to receive in her senior year, a local newspaper discoveres that there is no record of Christine attending her previous school. Chris is terrified that the newspaper will discover and report her subterfuge far and wide. A talk with the newspaper editor does ensure that that will not happen. Even so, Chris, not wanting to be afraid for the rest of her life, decides that she wishes to tell everyone what she is, and what she was in the past.

Many intersexed people, especially those in the various movements promoting issues related to intersexed people, have openly talked about their conditions to the public. Most, however, still carry their secrets, telling only a few trusted people. Which is all right too. What we are talking about here is primarily a medical problem, and an individual's private business. Certainly it is not a fitting subject for a news report. The problem is, these things sometimes do get out, often in an inaccurate and distorted form. There is something to be said to stating the truth, because then the individual takes control over what is being said about him or her.

The account in this novel is, of coourse, far from the more common experiences of intersexed people. Very few intersexed people ever have a gender change. Most live out their lives with the gender that they were assigned at birth (or soon after), with varying degrees of success.

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