Awareness in New Zealand

ITANZ Intersex Trust Aotearoa New Zealand www.ianz.org.nz

What is intersex? Mani Bruce Mitchell Mani Out There

Baby Bruce born 10 March 1953 to 2001: Production of TVNZ ground-breaking documentary, An umbrella term that has been in use for parents in rural New Zealand. Mani’s Story – Yellow is for Hermaphrodites. the last 60 years. It includes over 30 2003: Mani’s Story winner of Best Documentary in NZ conditions where the sexual anatomy or the Exploratory surgery before first Qantas Media Awards. Used as resource for schools. chromosomes are not the standard male or birthday identified uterus so reassigned female. to female and name changed to Margaret. 2004: Participation in photographic exhibition Assume Previously the term hermaphrodite was in common use Cause of intersex unknown. Nothing, by photographer Rebecca Swan. This became a and there is still a lot of controversy about the preferred At 8 years genital surgery followed by book, a Dowse Art Gallery sponsored travelling exhibition, terminology. Some professionals prefer the term other feminising surgery to ears. and a short film. It was also the inspiration for an award- Disorders of Sex Development (DSD). winning film Black and White by Kirsty McDonald. Trained as primary school teacher. Mani Bruce Mitchell

Travelled overseas. DipEd DipT DipC The incidence of intersex is at least 1 in 2000 births. 2008: Participant in the NZ Human Rights Commission’s Successful career in civil defence, regional manager Wellington. Inquiry into Discrimination Experienced by Transgender

Conditions where there are chromosomal People published as To Be Who I Am. Personal crisis at 40 years. In 1994 attended life-changing differences: workshop with therapist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. Klinefelter’s Syndrome 47XXY 2009: Film crew member and Changed name by deed poll to Sanskrit Mani and restored the Turner’s Syndrome 45X0 narrator of award-winning original Bruce. film produced

Conditions where there are hormonal differences: by John Keir and directed by In 1996 first NZer to come out publicly as intersex person. Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) Grant Lahood. In October 1996 attended Wellington Sexual Health Service for Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS) Released 2012 to support. Completed training as a counsellor in 1999. international acclaim.

Links with USA Intersex Society of NZ ITANZ Charitable Trust

1996 Mani made contact with Cheryl Chase of ISNA (Intersex Society of North America) formed in 1993. In On 7 May 1997 the Intersex Society It was recommended that the Society become an March 2008 ISNA wound up as an activist organisation and of NZ was launched by the Incorporated Charitable Trust and documents were signed on was replaced by the a not-for-profit national Minister of Health Hon. Annette 26 March 1998. organisation to improve health care for those with DSDs, that King at a function in the Council term now preferred by the organisation instead of intersex. Chamber Victoria University. The The original trustees were: film Hermaphrodites Speak was Graham Brandreth-Wills In August 1996 Mani was invited by Cheryl Chase to shown. Nigel Christie participate in the world’s first intersex retreat in USA where Hon. Annette King Gay Kahu Hermaphrodites Speak was filmed. Support came from many quarters: Mani Mitchell Wellington Sexual Health Service, Helen Leahy, Pamela Lorae Parry 2004: Mani was a Task Force Member, City and County of Neeson, Margaret Sparrow, Brenda Little, Linda Dayan Jenny Rowan Enquiry Into Intersex Issues. She was NZ AIDS Foundation, The Awhina Centre, Sister Paula Dr Susan Sayer commended for her trailblazing efforts to promote equality Brett-Kelly Dr Margaret Sparrow Sir Paul Reeves

for the intersex community. Family Planning, Dr Gill Greer, Nurse Drew Mackenzie, Te Puawai Tapu, Irihapeti Ramsden, Pania Ellison, Vernon Sir Paul Reeves was appointed Patron (1998-.2011) Mani has returned to the USA on numerous occasions to Waretini speak at conferences, attend film events, make submissions The NZ Venereological Society, which changed its name in The Trust Board members and liaise with intersex persons and professionals. Prominent 2006 to the NZ Sexual Health Society at a meeting in January 2012 among the latter is Professor Milton Diamond of Hawaii. The Prostitutes Collective, Catherine Healy Rear: Elisabeth McDonald, Wellington Regional Council, Colleague John Lukes Joy Liddicoat, Jeanie Douche 2009: Mani was appointed to the Trust Board of Front: Margaret Sparrow, AIC (Advocates for Informed Choice) a USA An early supporter who became a Trustee was actress/writer Mani Mitchell, Graham based intersex advocacy organisation. She Lorae Parry whose play Eugenia was first performed at Taki Brandreth-Wills. has worked closely with the Executive Director Rua Theatre on 26 January 1996. The play is based on a NZ Absent: Brian King, Chris Parkin Anne Tamar-Mattis. woman who was arrested in 1916 for living as a man. ITANZ Trust Board

Links with Australia Other International links Dignity – Diversity - Choice

As well as extensive and ongoing links with Australia and the ITANZ aims to collaborate with health professionals to end USA Mani participated in the 1st International Intersex Forum the shame, secrecy and unnecessary cosmetic surgeries. held in Brussels, Belgium in September 2011 and the 2nd International Intersex Forum held in Stockholm, Sweden in ITANZ works with the general public, community groups, December 2012. At that meeting the delegates proposed the schools and LGBTI groups to provide education, workshops creation of an Intersex Secretariat within the ilga structure. and programmes with the goal of ensuring appropriate, respectful treatment and choices for all intersex persons, their In July 2013 Mani and Trust Board member Associate Pamela Neeson Mani with Sharon Jones families and loved ones. Professor Elisabeth McDonald, Law faculty, Victoria University, participated in a Law on the Edge Conference, In November 1997 Mani visited Associate Professor Garry ITANZ provides advocacy for intersex persons to ensure that British Columbia University, Vancouver. Warne, paediatric endocrinologist at the Royal Children’s their human rights are respected. Hospital in Melbourne and has collaborated with him and Historically NZ psychologist Dr ITANZ acknowledges and thanks the following other health professionals in Australia. John Money (seen here with supporters: Mani at Victoria University JR McKenzie Trust In 1998 Mani was invited by Nurse Pamela Neeson (ex April 1997) was responsible for Todd Foundation Wellington) to commence what was to become an extensive the theory that gender Projecta Foundation community education programme throughout Tasmania. assignment in infancy was a Rule Foundation . matter of nurture over nature. Rainbow Youth In June 2010 Mani met with Gabi Rosenstreich, CEO of the Lotteries Commission Australian National LGBTI Health Alliance and brought This theory was challenged by Prof Mark Hutchins Gallery back an invitation for ITANZ to become a member of that Milton Diamond. The case of David Photoplus organisation. Reimer (1965-2004) proved critical. Concert for Courage ITANZ’s mascot Trav Money assigned the little boy as female, Home Energy Audits (Anthony Ryan) Mani has spoken at numerous conferences and workshops after a circumcision destroyed his penis Joy Liddicoat, Sue Russ, Paddy Marra throughout Australia and Tasmanian Sharon Jones has but David never felt female and Whanganui Women’s Health Collective visited NZ on several occasions. eventually committed suicide.