The documentary Every Body, set to release in theaters at the end of 2023’s LGBTQ Pride Month, aims to give intersex individuals a voice and shed light on their bittersweet experiences. Intersex refers to variations in reproductive or sexual anatomy that do not fit binary definitions.
Approximately 1.7% of the population has intersex traits, with 0.07% recommended for surgical intervention. The film explores the history of treatments for intersex individuals, their often overlooked presence in LGBTQ mental health conversations, and the importance of raising their voices.
Director Julie Cohen stresses that it is the intersex community themselves who are the champions advocating for their human rights. The anticipated documentary on intersex communities features several passionate and seasoned activists: Sean Saifa Wall, aged 43; Alicia Roth Weigel, aged 31; and River Gallo, aged 31. Wall hopes that viewers will be deeply moved by the film and subsequently question their knowledge gaps and nurture curiosity about themselves.
The creators of the documentary Every Body said in a promotional interview with USA Today: “I hope that people allow themselves to be moved (by the film) and be moved in such a way to really question what they’ve learned about, what they haven’t learned about and to be curious about themselves … We’ve all been lied to [when it comes to the intersex community] … [And when] sometimes something spreads so widely, it becomes conventional wisdom, and it takes a lot of work to de-conventionalize that false wisdom.”
The film also exposes the trauma rooted in the work of Dr. John Money, whose theory on sex and gender identity influenced intersex medicine for decades. David Reimer’s tragic case exemplifies the consequences of attempting to assign gender without disclosure. Although Money’s work was discredited, early surgical interventions persist to promote social integration.
Intersex individuals embody the nuance of sex and gender, challenging binary categorizations. Moreover, they face psychological and emotional challenges due to the stigmatization and discrimination they encounter. The strict binary understanding of gender in society can lead to feelings of isolation, shame, and confusion.
They may struggle with identity formation and societal pressure to conform. Medical interventions, such as surgeries performed without consent, can result in long-lasting psychological consequences, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms.
The documentary Every Body addresses the ongoing surgical interventions on intersex children, emphasizing their negative impact on LGBTQ mental health and the need for education.
It also delves into the pressures intersex individuals face to conceal their identities and other impacting aspects like dating and sexuality. Most importantly, the film exposes the lack of knowledge and willful ignorance surrounding intersex issues, even within progressive circles.
While advocating for legislative changes, the intersex community is also navigating the development of intersex culture. Julie Cohen’s Every Body represents a bold step toward establishing a joyful and supportive community.
However, the path forward and the balance between joy and unpacking trauma remain uncertain. The documentary encourages reclaiming joy as an act of resistance against what has been taken from intersex individuals, besides nurturing LGBTQ mental health conversations to do away with both gender and mental health stigma in the long run.
