Intersexion

When filling out an application for almost anything -- driver's license, job inquiry, or even a health club membership -- inevitably you will be asked to check one of two small boxes simply labeled "male" and "female." But what of those who are neither? In director Grant Lahood's compelling new documentary "Intersexion," Lahood candidly searches for answers to rarely asked questions.

The word "intersex" is not a common household term. What in earlier days would have been referred to as being born 'true hermaphrodite,' intersex births are characterized by genitalia is so ambiguous that doctors cannot easily answer whether the child is a boy or a girl. One in every 2,000 babies in the world are born as 'sexually ambiguous.' With an estimated 3 million intersex adults living in the world, "Intersextion" states, "Intersex isn't uncommon, it's just unheard of."

"Intersexion"'s lead subject is New Zealand therapist and intersex person Mani Mitchell. Born and first raised as Bruce, and then as Margaret, Mitchell seeks to talk to and meet other intersex adults willing to share their stories. Even with the large numbers of intersex adults believed to exist, few are willing to come out of the shadows and have their stories told... until now.

Lahood's interviews with numerous intersex adults uncovers heartbreaking sagas of how these adults were treated as children. Many ping-ponged back and forth from being raised as a girl, to a boy, back again, or vice-versa. Many suffered unnecessary surgeries by unenlightened doctors, crippling them sexually and physical, solely because their parents were forced to choose their sex while they were still juveniles. Some intersex adults had absolutely no idea of their differences until later into adulthood. Some, but not all, suffered sexual, physical, and emotional abuse as children, because of the world's ignorance in this rarely discussed field.

"Intersex" intelligently and lovingly brings these "in-betweens" out of the closet and gets them to discuss, first hand, their need to identify, and negotiate, the labels and categories that society has created for us all. Understandably angry, strong and surviving, they refuse shame and courageously break their secrecy for the sake of those that will come after them.

Mitchell, Lahood, and the subjects of "Intersexion" share a special bond that, until only recently, begins to provide solidarity in the knowledge that they are not alone. Their message is simple: "Love your children for who they are. Being different is not only OK, but should also be the norm."