XOXY

by Kimberly M. Zieselman

Paper Book, 2020

Status

Available

Call number

HQ77.98.Z547 A3 2020

Publication

London ; Philadelphia, PA : Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2020.

Description

Meet Kimberly, a regular suburban housewife and mother, whose discovery later in life that she was born intersex fuelled her to become an international human rights defender and globally-recognised activist. Charting her intersex discovery and her journey to self-acceptance, this book movingly portrays how being intersex impacted Kimberly's personal and family life, as well as her career. From uncovering a secret that was intentionally kept from her, to coming out to her family and friends and fighting for intersex rights, her candid and empowering story helps breakdown barriers and misconceptions of intersex people and brings to light the trauma and harmful impact medical intervention continues to have on the intersex community. Written from a non-queer perspective, and filled with much-needed, straightforward information and advice about what it means to be intersex, this is a vital and timely resource for intersex people and their families, as well as the general reader.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member akblanchard
Born with androgen insensitivity syndrome, author Kim Zieselman has XY chromosomes but fully identifies as female. Unfortunately, her doctors and parents kept her in the dark about her condition, and she didn't know the whole truth of it until she was 41 years old. Instead, she was left with a
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"knowing-not knowing" feeling that there was something different about her, compared with other girls, and tendencies towards anxiety and dissociation when confronted with emotional topics. She didn't begin to heal until she found her tribe of "Orchid Sisters" and became a prominent activist for intersex causes, such as bodily autonomy and self-determination. Halting unnecessary genital "normalization" surgeries on babies and small children is one of her main goals.

This memoir provides a relatable look at one woman's life as she copes with a frequently misunderstood condition. I learned a lot through reading this book.
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Awards

Stonewall Book Award (Honor Book — Non-Fiction — 2021)

Language

Original publication date

2020-03-19

Physical description

288 p.; 23 cm

ISBN

9781785928376

Barcode

34500012345939
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