GLMA25: A Thematic Analysis of Transgender, Intersex, and Gender-Diverse Experiences of (Violated) Genital Autonomy

Hello! You’ve found a PDF of my poster for the 2025 GLMA Annual Conference on LGBTQ+ Health.

Authors:

T. T. Perry, Julia Black, E. M. Campbell, Pallas Lysander-Romberg, Oberyn McCreless, D. W. Rowlands, Thomas Szymczak, and Alliana Arshad

Abstract

Background: Discourses about genital modifications are frequently fragmented based on sex assigned at birth—a normalized segregation that warrants critical examination. The Genital Autonomy Collective, a transnational peer network of transgender, intersex, and gender-diverse (TIGD) individuals, provides unique epistemic perspectives on the consequences of violations of genital autonomy, such as circumcision, infibulation, and other forms of nontherapeutic genital cutting in childhood. This autoethnographic study analyzes testimonials from TIGD people regarding both imposed genital cutting and gender-affirming care.

Methods: Eight members of the Genital Autonomy Collective provided written reflections on how genital cutting affects their gender identity, interpersonal relationships, and transition goals. Subsequently, participants engaged in group discussion to complete a collaborative analysis of themes in the testimonials.

Results: Analysis highlighted two central values: bodily autonomy and bodily integrity. Participants emphasized that violations of these values through unwanted genital modifications resulted in diverse and significant harms, while positive exercises of bodily autonomy promoted healing. Testimonials consistently aligned with the principle of subsidiarity—recognizing that individuals themselves are best positioned to determine the desirability of potential genital modifications. Participants distinguished between imposed genital cutting as motivated primarily by adult desires for social conformity versus gender-affirming care as responsive to children’s self-understanding.

Discussion/Conclusion: Healthcare professionals should address the trauma and sequelae associated with violations of genital autonomy across sex and gender identities. This research calls for greater accountability from clinicians regarding imposed genital modifications and advocates for centering patient autonomy in healthcare decision-making.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

1. Differentiate between imposed genital modifications and person-centered genital autonomy across transgender, intersex, and gender-diverse populations.

2. Identify the unique challenges faced by transgender, intersex, and gender-diverse individuals who have experienced violations of genital autonomy.

3. Apply the principles of autonomy and subsidiarity when developing clinical protocols for gender-affirming care and addressing concerns of patients who have experienced unwanted genital modifications.