An important addition to the growing number of books examining intersexuality, this book’s goal “is to help shed light on which legal strategies may most effectively end discriminatory practices against people with an intersex condition and potentially assist other marginalized groups.” Julie A. Greenberg, Professor of Law and former Associate Dean at Thomas Jefferson School of Law and an internationally recognized expert on the legal issues relating to sex and gender identity, is well qualified to define how the law impacts the lives and treatment of intersex people in our country.
According to Greenberg, “Approximately one in fifteen hundred to one in two thousand births involve a child who is born with genitalia so noticeably atypical that a specialist in sex differentiation is consulted and surgical alteration is considered.”
Greenberg approaches her topic from the standpoint of the intersex activist movement, clarifying how the law can be used to enhance the lives of those with an “intersex condition.” In contrast to other social justice movements, she considers whether the intersex movement can form beneficial coalitions with other movements.
Clear and useful definitions for a range of terms that are often misunderstood (including transgender, transsexuality, gender identity, and sexual orientation) enhance this discussion of the sociological and legal issues affecting intersex people.
In describing the medical practices carried out against intersex infants, Greenberg explains the assumptions that surgeons make about “normal” genitalia. She then examines the legal strategies that could be used to challenge these practices.
A large portion of the book is dedicated to explaining the parallels between the legal challenges of the intersex community and the transsexual community. She writes that, to date, the most litigated area in regards to sex determination is the establishment of a person’s sex in order to marry. She also discusses identity documents and sex classification as these are used to determine housing opportunities and restroom use.
Greenberg also presents an overview of the intersex movement and its history. She states that the goal of her book “is to help shed light on which legal strategies may most effectively end discriminatory practices against people with an intersex condition and potentially assist other marginalized groups.” This is a valuable book and should added to every collection.
Reviewer: Morgan Gwenwald, Outreach Librarian
Sojourner Truth Library, SUNY New Paltz