Innately You: Depathologising Being Intersex

Innately You: Depathologising Being Intersex

Author: JOY 94.9 - Rainbow Community Podcasts for our LGBTI, LGBTIQA+, LGBTQIA+, LGBT, LGBTQ, LGB, Gay, Lesbian, Trans, Intersex, Queer Communities March 27, 2026 Duration: 43:36

Around 1.7% of babies born in Australia have innate variations in sex characteristics. That’s roughly one in 60 babies.

For decades…and to this day, intersex people have been treated as medical problems that need solving. Doctors make decisions about their bodies – often surgical decisions – before they are old enough to consent.

Variations in sex characteristics exist on a spectrum, just like height or any other trait. Yet intersex people face unnecessary surgeries, secrecy, shame, and a medical system that treated their bodies as “other”. The World Health Organisation still lists innate variations of sex characteristics as medical conditions. But being intersex isn’t a pathology. It’s a natural variation.

On Science Queeries, we’re talking about depathologisation; about recognising intersex as a natural part of human diversity, not a disease. Our guest is Paul Byrne-Moroney from The I in Us, the only show for intersex people by intersex people. He’s here to help us understand what it means to be intersex and why depathologisation matters.

Last month, Victoria passed legislation that protects intersex children from unnecessary, irreversible medical procedures. It’s a landmark moment. And it’s time we all understood why.

Originally aired 3rd March, 2026.

The post Innately You: Depathologising Being Intersex appeared first on Science Queeries.


Curiosity meets community in Science Queeries, a space where the wonders of the natural world and the vibrant spectrum of human identity intersect. Hosted by Cat, this podcast from JOY 94.9’s Rainbow Community collection approaches learning with a warm, questioning spirit. It’s less a formal lecture and more a series of engaging conversations that unpack scientific concepts through an inclusive, queer lens. You’ll hear explorations that connect the dots between biology, sociology, technology, and lived experience, making complex ideas both accessible and personally relevant. Each episode invites you to consider how science shapes and is shaped by the diverse LGBTIQA+ communities it seeks to understand. The tone is thoughtful and welcoming, designed for anyone who’s ever felt on the outside looking in at traditional science communication. Whether discussing the latest research or the fundamentals of how things work, this podcast consistently centers a perspective that is often overlooked. It’s a place for learning, questioning, and finding connection in the shared pursuit of knowledge. Tune in for a refreshing take that proves science is for everyone, and that some of the most insightful discoveries begin with a simple, open-minded query.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 55

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