Issue link: https://tmcpulse.uberflip.com/i/900421
t m c » p u l s e | o c t o b e r 2 0 1 7 32 Additionally, Axelrad said, she discusses with parents the most devel- opmentally appropriate ways to talk to their children about being intersex. Part of that includes initiating conver- sations "from the moment your child can understand that this is their body, and the importance of being honest with them." "The ultimate treatment position for any child and any family is made on an individual basis, thinking about the overall wellbeing of the child," Axelrad said. "Psychological wellbeing does play a role in that." Both Cortez and Koomah said their families did not have such open com- munication about being intersex, or provide much psychological support. "It was always a big secret. Part of that is I don't think they fully under- stood it either. And then with their own backgrounds and belief systems, they had their own perspective," Koomah said. "I was never quite female enough for my parents, so there was this thought, 'Well, if you're not going to be a girl, you're going to be a boy.' That didn't really work either so I'm kind of in this great in between space. This is what works and what makes me happy." Malek said society's increased accep- tance for ambiguity around gender, sex and sexual orientation may also be contributing to increased awareness and advocacy regarding intersex issues. "People are more aware that it's not necessarily black and white," Malek said. "With increased understanding comes increased tolerance. Parents can say, 'I'm OK with the idea that I'm not sure yet whether my child is a boy or a girl.' Obviously some still have a very hard time with it, but we tend to be more accepting in today's culture than it used to be." Acceptance, awareness, education— these are cornerstones of the advocacy work Cortez and Koomah are doing. The pair, who live together as room- mates, talk to medical students and give lectures at universities about being intersex. They attend conferences and participate in lobbying. Their goal is to increase visibility of intersex people in society so no other young people have to grow up with the same feelings of isolation they both experienced. "Our bodies are different," Cortez said, "but embrace the diversity. Embrace the difference." "A lot of what is presented about our community is doom and gloom," Koomah added. "We do have a lot of issues, but at the same time, there are a lot of happy, healthy, productive intersex people who are doing amaz- ing things. Our lives are not a tragedy. Whether a person has had surgery or hasn't, there are folks that are very happy with their bodies." T H E PA R K LA N E L uxury Apartments www.Theparklane.com Corporate Units Avaliable For 3 Month+ Leases Medical Stays Visiting Academic and Medical Professionals On Site Dog Park Shuttle to all Major Hospitals in the Texas Medical Center Electric Vehicle Charging Stations On-Site Storage Included Assigned Garage Parking No Water or Garbage Bills 24hr. Valet & Concierge Service Pets Accepted Minutes from Texas Medical Center Sophisticated Surveillance System Discount to Texas Medical Center Employees NEW! 1701 Hermann Dr. I 713.526.VIEW Both furnished and unfurnished corporate units available! Koomah, an artist, advocates for education and awareness regarding the intersex community.