LGB+ and heterosexual-identified people produce similar analogies to intersex but have different opinions about its medicalisation

Qualitative researchers have long observed that rationales for medical interventions on intersex characteristics, or variable sex characteristics (VSC), invoke heteronormative ideals. Such medical interventions are controversial and described as infringing human rights. Recent survey research has confirmed that support for medical intervention, and opposition to its legal limitation on human rights grounds is predicted by (1) identifying as heterosexual and (2) endorsing gender binary beliefs. We replicated both findings here among 59 LGB+ and 61 heterosexual participants. Opinions about medical interventions on intersex characteristics were additionally predicted by belief in heterosexual complementarity among all participants, and by strength of heterosexual identification among heterosexual-identified participants. Participants read excerpts from three published interviews with a medical professional, a parent of a child with intersex characteristics, and an adult with intersex characteristics and generated analogies to these experiences. Participants who generated more diverse analogies endorsed the gender binary and medical interventions less, and supported legal limitations more. The results are discussed in relation to the formation and distribution of public attitudes to the controversial medicalisation of intersex characteristics

NONDETERMINISTIC DECISION RULES IN CLASSIFICATION PROCESS FOR MEDICAL DATA

nondeterministic decision rules, classification, decision tables, rough sets, rule-based classifier

Inside the doctor's office. Talking about intersex with Italian health professionals

This article explores how health professionals in Italy understand variations of sex characteristics (VSC), also referred to as intersex and/or disorders of sex development (DSD). With estimates of VSC frequency ranging from 0.018% to 1.7%, only a handful of highly specialised medical doctors are considered DSD experts. When addressing the daily health management of children and families who do not live near specialist DSD centres, these experts may refer individuals to the nearest health professional that Italian health services provides, opening up questions regarding how these professionals might act and react when faced with VSC. In this analysis of interview data from 65 Italian general practitioners, paediatricians and psychologists, we address two themes. The first theme discusses participants’ previous experiences and case management, with a focus on social, medical and gender biases. The second theme examines health professionals’ opinions and perspectives on ongoing conflicts concerning current best care practices. Our results highlight health professionals’ cultural and gendered biases, confirming the need to develop specific professional training, guidelines and policies to improve the healthcare of people with VSC