The Doctors Laughed At My Body
October 27, 2022
The doctor and his assistant looked at my body and they laughed. They said they had never seen anything like it before, but that’s because it is a rarity. It is a rarity to be born with internal female reproductive organs, while also having genitalia that would typically be considered that of a male.
The doctor was primarily interested in examining my breasts and my genitalia. Most doctors I’ve seen have historically approached their exams and questions in similar fashion. The doctor barely listened to my concerns, let alone how I identified from a gender standpoint. He was just looking to see if I had a vagina, but he didn’t find one. When he saw my penis, he laughed and said, “it looks like you are transgender”.
“I’m not transgender; I have XX chromosomes and identify as female; I always have”, I said.
The doctors laughed at my body. When I was born, the doctors weren’t sure of my birth sex. My parents named me Thomas, and simply raised as a girl. Now that I’m older, I identify as a woman. What does it matter what’s between my legs? Am I not still me? Why should you care about this small part of me if you don’t even care about me as a person?
The doctor told me, “in that case you are a cisgender female”.
I knew full well what that meant, but it didn’t mean much to me other than confirming that I had been assigned female/intersex at birth, at least from a genetic standpoint. The doctor’s laughter rang in my ears as he said those words. I could tell by the way he looked at me that he refused to believe someone could be born as an intersex female, while also being cisgender.
To my doctor, I am an anomaly. To me, I am just myself; different, not wrong or imperfect.
Reference: My doctor visit on March 11, 2022.
Inspiration: to whom it may concern.
13 Comments
E.J. Hammon
I do not understand a doctor, a person of science, LAUGHING at the biology seen before him and telling you how you identify. I honestly have no explanation of how that makes any sense other than him just being a complete idiot, prone to bigotry and a willful ignorance of anatomy.
Thomas Slatin
It’s because my condition is the rarest of intersex varieties, of which there happen to be 40+ (according to doctors). He has suggested that I consult with a psychiatrist and referred me accordingly. I’ve seen THREE in the past year, all of whom state that my difference is biological, not psychological.
Also, I don’t like labels but if I had to explain exactly how I identify, it would be as an intersex lesbian female.
maia
well to me, you are unique and one of a kind
Thomas Slatin
Thank you, Maia! ♥️
ACountryBoy
For a doctor to laugh is unprofessional and childish. I would find another doctor.
Thomas Slatin
This is the same advice that my wife gave me, and she is helping me find a new doctor. The good news is that my yearly checkup is complete and I have a gynecologist who is supportive, so I have about a year to find a new primary care doctor. 🙂
luisa zambrotta
You are yourself, Thomas, as unique as any living creature ❣️
Thomas Slatin
Thank you, Luisa!
luisa zambrotta
You’re welcome
Samuel
I’m a doctor. As ACountryBoy commented, laughing is an incredibly unprofessional behaviour, and unacceptable. You never should come back to that doctor.
Thomas Slatin
Thank you for your advice! 🙂
Eric
I had the pleasure of meeting you on bank (I’m the retired ESU guy). The medical profession is great at treating trauma, anything else, not so much. You wear your outer shell with dignity and grace, something I noticed and admired immediately. When I receive a gift I don’t focus on the packaging!!!! You are you, and it’s beautiful!!! I look forward to that cup of coffee on Waverly when you’re back in town.
Thomas Slatin
Hey Eric! So you learned the truth about how I was born. It was lovely meeting you in front of my childhood home in New York City. I will be returning later this month for a few days. I will send you a text once I make plans, and give you a few days notice.
More info about my condition is here: What It’s Like To Be Born With Female Pseudohermaphroditism.
Sincerely,
Your friend & former Fire/Rescue Specialist Lieutenant 🙂