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As of this week, Intersex Society of North America has officially closed its doors. Founded in 1993, ISNA was the first North American organization to advocate for the rights of people born with intersex conditions, and for more honest, less invasive medical treatment of intersex children. ISNA's farewell message addressed to its friends and supporters can be found on www.isna.org.
The organization explains: "we finally have consensus on improvements to care for which we have advocated for so long, but we lack a consistent way to implement, monitor, and evaluate them. [...] Unfortunately, ISNA is considerably hamstrung in being able to fulfill this role. [...] there is concern among many healthcare professionals, parents, and mainstream healthcare system funders that ISNA's views are biased or that an association with ISNA will be frowned upon by colleagues and peers." In order to get away from this "baggage," so to speak, and to become regarded as professional, those involved in ISNA have chosen to form a different organization, the Accord Alliance.
Accord Alliance's mission states that the organization works to "promote comprehensive and integrated approaches to care that enhance the health and well-being of people and families affected by DSD [disorders of sex development] by fostering collaboration among all stakeholders." There is a concern, however, how much voice intersex adults will have in this "collaboration," as the new organization focuses on working with healthcare providers and parents, especially with the almost complete disappearance of the word "intersex" from its website.
We are still evaluating how ISNA's closure will affect us. Please let us know your thoughts and concerns.
Posted by Emi on Jun 27, 2008