Post by @technotenshi@infosec.exchange

2025-09-01 03:10 UTC

I want to share something I'm really proud of. In late July, I came across a 2016 article from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. It discussed intersex women, including those with XY chromosomes, but the language was outdated, reductionist, and stigmatizing. It called them "genetically men," leaned on biological determinism, and framed their lives through a medical lens that undermined their dignity. I couldn't let that stand, so I wrote to them. I explained why the language was harmful, pointed to current science and bioethics, and asked them to take responsibility. To their credit, they listened. They replied quickly, acknowledged my concerns, and began reviewing the article. A couple of weeks later they sent me a revised draft. They had already removed the misgendering, replaced pathologizing phrases, and shifted the framing away from chromosomes as destiny. I suggested a few more adjustments to make the language even more accurate and affirming. At the end of August, they published the updated article in English and Danish. The harmful wording is largely gone. The framing now centers human diversity, patient-centered care, and informed consent. It may not sound dramatic, but these changes matter. Words shape how people see themselves, how they are treated by doctors, and how society understands trans and intersex lives. Correcting language in a piece like this helps chip away at stigma that has caused harm for decades. Here's what this looked like in practice for me: I was assertive. I named where I disagreed. I brought factual evidence. I kept the exchange in good faith. I stayed open to change and supported it when it happened. It is one article, one institution, one moment. Little by little, contribution by contribution, we are changing things. I'm proud that I stood up and made a difference here, and I'll keep doing what I can to push for a world where our communities are seen, respected, and affirmed. 💜 Link to the revised article: https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/news/more-women-than-expected-are-born-with-a-hidden-variation-in-sex-development/ #Intersex #Trans #LanguageMatters #PatientCenteredCare

Replies (23)

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange 2025-09-02 02:31

Thank you, thank you, thank you! All the boosts, favorites, positive feedback, and genuine exchange of ideas really, really made this girl really happy! I am really glad that this small thing brought some hope and assurance to so many people that reached out, expressing their gratitude. I will keep this work up! if only small, yet huge satisfaction to be of help to our community. :blobcattrans:

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@neutrin@mastodon.social 2025-09-01 05:36

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange and *I’m glad* that you took the time to share this story!

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@Fishercat@kolektiva.social 2025-09-01 05:38

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange Oh, well done, you! Thank you for doing that. You should be proud.

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@onekind@beige.party 2025-09-01 05:42

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange Love your work!

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@Trenton_Hoshiko@mas.to 2025-09-01 05:47

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange wow that is so cool!!

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@agreeable_landfall@mastodon.social 2025-09-01 06:18

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange Well, done! You take a wall down brick by brick, so I hope others take inspiration from you, and remove more bricks. I know little about this subject, but it seems so *obvious* that people are all different, and we should just let them be who they are. Keep up the good work!

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@VulcanTourist@autistics.life 2025-09-01 06:47

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange Is this similar to Klinefelter's Syndrome that can affect some apparent males? Because I have physiology that seemed to have feminine traits, I long suspected that Syndrome might explain it, but late in life I finally managed to persuade a test for it, which proved negative. So I'm still at a loss to explain what I perceived as feminine traits. Do I have another chromosomal mutation? My gender orientation was never fluid.

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@swift@sunny.garden 2025-09-01 06:51

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange inspirational! Thanks and thanks for sharing!

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@xinit@mastodon.coffee 2025-09-01 07:38

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange Definitely something to be proud of. I expect there's a million human biology articles that could benefit from a careful re-read.

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@SecondUniverse@autistics.life 2025-09-01 08:16

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange As an intersex person, I highly appreciate your effort!

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@simonzerafa@infosec.exchange 2025-09-01 08:17

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange "Chromosomes as destiny" is an interesting phrase which is not come across before so thanks for that. "Chromosomes are not inescapable destiny" would perhaps be a better phrase or slogan for this 🙂🖖

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@irfelixr@discuss.systems 2025-09-01 09:35

👏👏👏 Great article, respectful and affirming. @technotenshi@infosec.exchange

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@dormouse759@mas.to 2025-09-01 12:51

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange if someone else's word can influence how you see yourself, you're doing it wrong.

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@springdiesel@spore.social 2025-09-01 12:54

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange Way to go! Well done!

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@farbel@mas.to 2025-09-01 13:17

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange Wow. Good for you and good for them. This is really important for all of us who feel helpless in the face of so much these days. If one person can make that change, how much change can ten make, or a thousand?

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@torgefahr@infosec.exchange 2025-09-01 13:29

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange afaict this is the (foundation of) the company that partnered with Dr. Ben Miles for advances in insulin. One should expect no less from them. Sadly, the reaction you got would still count as a positive surprise in our world and time.

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@mees@sunny.garden 2025-09-01 16:39

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange very well done! 💜

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@stepheneb@ruby.social 2025-09-01 17:39

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange I LOVE that you did this and greatly appreciate that they listened to you and responded. Thanks so much for doing that!

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@europlus@social.europlus.zone 2025-09-02 13:16

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange @alda@topspicy.social 🫂

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@Firlefanz@writing.exchange 2026-02-04 07:34

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange That is not a little thing. You went to work, and you changed the mind of people who are in control of information. And you did it in a way that reached them, that helped them to change and adopt a more modern opinion of intersex women. That is huge. You are a hero for taking a stance and helping them change both their minds and those of their readers.

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@overhacked@recurse.social 2026-07-29 20:48

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange This is just a wonderful bright spot of change that uplifted my day. Thank you for being educated, persistent, and proud.

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@Susan60@aus.social 2026-07-30 01:53

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange Well done you! Some scientists & publishers, basically decent human beings, can get stuck in a rut. What seemed like highly objective, neutral report writing a decade of 3 ago, can now be seen to be grounded in binary thinking & faulty & outdated assumptions about what is “normal”. They might not be prejudiced themselves, but the language they use and the assumptions their work is based on are. And good on them for receiving your criticism graciously and responding in such a positive way.

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@LilPecan@mastodon.social 2026-07-30 23:55

@technotenshi@infosec.exchange Thank you for taking a stand and doing the work. I'm grateful as I am sure many are.

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