Turkish Medical Association and Ankara Medical Chamber organized an intersex workshop. During the workshop, violations of intersex people’s rights in accessing health care and solutions were discussed.

The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) and Ankara Medical Chamber (ATO) organized an intersex workshop on December 2nd. Representatives of health labor and professional organizations and LGBTIQ+ associations, physicians, health workers, medical students and LGBTIQ+ activists attended the Intersex Workshop organized in cooperation with LGBTI+ associations. During the workshop, violations of intersex people’s rights in accessing health care and solutions were discussed.

The opening speeches of the workshop were made by physicians from the Central Council of TTB and ATO LGBTIQ+ Working Group. In the first session of the workshop, ATO LGBTIQ+ Working Group explained why such a workshop was needed.

In the second session, intersex activists Belgin Günay, Yasemin Bahar and Şerife Yurtseven talked about their own experiences as intersex subjects. They presented their suggestions and demands for solutions to enable physicians to provide intersex-oriented services.

Intersex activists emphasized the importance of data collection, referring intersex people to intersex organizations for psychosocial support, and collaborating with medical professionals for intersex-focused, human rights-based intersex medical care.

In the third session of the workshop, physicians from the TTB and ATO summarized the history and current situation of non-consensual medical interventions and presented recommendations for health professionals.

The workshop ended with a forum facilitated by Seçin Tuncel and Murat Köylü from Kaos GL and Can Eren from Pink Life. In the forum, discussions were held on solution proposals and future actions were also discussed. Students from the LGBTIQA+ Medical Students Network also contributed to the forum by pointing out that there are gaps in the medical curriculum regarding intersex.

The components of the workshop are as follows:

Turkish Medical Association, Ankara Medical Chamber (ATO) LGBTIQ+ Working Group, Community Dentists, Health and Social Service Workers Union (SES) Ankara Branch, LGBTIQA+ Medical Students Network, May 17 Association, Ankara Rainbow Families Association (GALADER), Inter Solidarity Initiative, Kaos GL Association, Pink Life LGBTI+ Solidarity Association, Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association, Social Workers Association (SHUDER) Ankara Branch.