Broadening My Understanding of Human Sexuality

Right off the bat, I felt comfortable in Pediatrics and I’ve always attributed my relaxed attitude to the fact that my mother had complete confidence in my ability to care for my baby sister, Margaret Mary, even though I was only nine years old when she entered my life. I was overjoyed at her arrival and found all aspects of her care entertaining and fun. I also believe it is one of the main reasons I wanted to become a Pediatric Nurse. Although I took my studies and nurses’ training seriously it came as a rather shocking surprise, when in my first assignment as an RN on the Pediatric Unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital in NYC, I was assigned to care for a sweet little baby who had a condition that I didn’t remember learning about during my schooling. It seemed that most of the rest of the medical and nursing staff on our Unit didn’t know much about it either ( the year was 1966 ). Among other problems, this baby was born with both male and female sex organs. At the time, the terminology we used when referring to this child was “Hermaphrodite”. Even though we were a major Medical Center in Manhattan, I remember the commotion this baby’s diagnosis caused on our Pediatric Ward. Today, the term "hermaphrodite" is considered outdated and stigmatizing, and the condition is currently referred to as “Intersex”. This early experience broadened my understanding of human sexuality and the vast complexities and variations that can and do exist. The publication ,“Understanding Differences and Disorders of Sex Development (DSD)” is in constant flux as research and development in this area is complex and ongoing. Throughout the recent years there has been a shift of focus from individual bodily differences( whether at the level of genes, chromosomes,gonads or genitals,) to the social context in which such classifications are made, and the ramifications that inclusion or exclusion from normative social classifications can have on individuals. This early experience as a Pediatric Nurse helped me to discard negative, judgmental and erroneous teachings about human sexuality. Currently I know and love and support many individuals in the LGBQT+ community. I will continue to speak out against prejudicial behavior that harms the people I love. ❤️