Intersex and Faith Identity

Christians with intersex conditions/DSDs have sometimes reported facing alienation or a lack of understanding from other people of faith, who may consider their condition "fallen" or somehow illegitimate. Other Christians with intersex conditions/DSDs have found that their faith helps them to navigate life with their condition, and that their religious community is a source of strength and hope.

As part of the Intersex, Identity and Disability project, the Lincoln Theological Institute is conducting research through interviews and questionnaires with people in Britian who identify as both intersex and Christian (and who may or may not currently be part of a church community), in order to learn more about the interactions between their intersex condition/DSD and their faith identity. Published work drawing on these interviews and questionnaires (with all names changed) will be made available to groups such as church policy makers and social responsibility officers. It is hoped that this will lead to an increased awareness and understanding of intersex/DSD among Christians in Britain, and improved pastoral and spiritual care for people who identify as intersex and Christian.

Interviews began in January 2012 and are continuing.

> A call for research participants can be found here.

> For more information about this aspect of the project, or to join the mailing list for news and updates, please e-mail Susannah.cornwall@manchester.ac.uk