The research "Living as a person with variations in sex characteristics/intersex person in Belgium" is conducted at the University of Antwerp and commissioned by the Institute for the Equality of Women and Men (IGVM). The researchers involved are Marion Wasserbauer, Michelle Symons, Alexander Dhoest and Michel Walrave. The questionnaire was developed in collaboration with NNID, the Netherlands organisation for sex diversity.
By participating in this research, you are making an important contribution to mapping the lives, experiences and needs of people with variations in sex characteristics/intersex people in Belgium. Particular attention is paid to the relationship with the medical world, social and romantic relationships, openness and secrecy, and experiences of discrimination, but also the support you receive. The results will enable policy recommendations to be formulated and the social position of people with variations in sex characteristics/intersex people to be strengthened.
What is it about?
"Variation in sex characteristics" is a term that refers to differences in chromosomes, gonads (such as ovaries or testes), hormones, or internal and external sex organs. This is also known as "variations in sex development" or DSD (Differences in Sex Development).
“Intersex” is an umbrella term for people born with a body that does not fully correspond to the image most people have of a “male” or “female” body, as described above. This variation can be discovered before birth, at birth, or at any other time in life.
Even if you do not identify with the term "intersex", but do recognise yourself in this description, we invite you to participate. In the questionnaire, you can indicate how you recognise, identify or describe yourself.