There is no cost to attend, and all interested individuals are invited to participate. Continuing education credit will be available.

Attend at DMU or online

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TARGET AUDIENCE

Healthcare professionals.

DESCRIPTION

Intersex and transgender individuals have historically faced significant health challenges due to both biological realities and societal misconceptions about sex and gender.
 

Sex is traditionally understood as a binary concept - male and female - defined by chromosomal patterns (XX or XY), reproductive anatomy, and secondary sexual characteristics. However, biological sex is more complex than this binary framework suggests. Intersex individuals are born with variations in sex characteristics that do not fit typical definitions of male or female, such as differences in chromosomes, hormone levels, or reproductive anatomy. These natural variations challenge the notion of a strict binary classification of sex.
 

Despite these biological realities, medical and societal systems have often imposed rigid definitions of sex, leading to significant challenges for both intersex and transgender communities. Intersex individuals frequently experience non-consensual medical interventions, such as surgeries to "normalize" their anatomy in infancy or childhood, which can result in long-term physical and psychological harm. Transgender individuals whose gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at birth often face barriers to gender-affirming healthcare, including legal restrictions, discrimination, and lack of provider knowledge.
 

Both groups experience health disparities due to the persistence of outdated medical models that fail to recognize the natural diversity of sex and gender. These disparities include higher rates of mental health issues, inadequate access to care, and social stigma that contributes to poorer health outcomes. Addressing these challenges requires a shift toward more inclusive and evidence-based healthcare practices that respect biological diversity and prioritize patient autonomy.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Identify biological realities of sex.
• Identify the nonbinary nature of sex.
• Identify challenges faced by intersex and trans communities based on biological inaccuracies.

SPEAKERS

Julie Meachen, PhD
Professor, Anatomy, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences

Caroline VanSickle, PhD
Associate Professor, Anatomy, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences