IN what amounts to something of an understatement, an officer of the Government Equalities Office – GEO – has replied to an intersex activist in the United Kingdom about the many examples of discrimination that he has shared with them in letters and emails. 

Thank you for your e-mail of 03/01/2012 2:50:17 PM about intersex people.

Please be assured that the Government is fully aware of the difficulties intersex people can face and is committed to tackling discrimination wherever it occurs, regardless of people’s background. Government Equalities Office officials are engaging with relevant Government departments to consider how these issues can be addressed, and will keep stakeholders informed as matters develop.

We look forward to being informed about matters as they develop and continue to point out that the only stakeholders in intersex genitals, bodies and lives are intersex people ourselves. There are no other stakeholders and we question whether anyone else who is not intersex is qualified to consult upon our bodies and lives.