Spalding man Joe Holliday has welcomed a move by a top model to reveal herself to be intersex too.
Model Hanne Gaby Odiele (29) featured in global media this week after speaking out to break down taboos and discourage parents from agreeing to potentially unnecessary surgeries on intersex children – those who are born with or develop reproductive or sexual anatomy that does not seem to fit with typical definitions of female or male.
Joe, also 29, who was classified intersex as a child, said: “I’m really pleased to see someone else speaking publicly about being intersex.
“Hanne Gaby Odiele is right to say the taboo about this needs to be broken and a lot of intersex campaigners have been working hard for a long time to try to open more public discussion.”
Hanne has revealed she was traumatised after being put through surgeries to remove the undescended testicles she was born with and reconstruct a vagina.
Statistics suggest a baby is as likely to be born intersex as they are red headed.
Joe, of Acacia Avenue, said: “The kinds of surgeries carried out on Hanne need to be stopped in line with long-standing guidance from the Human Rights Council and I’m working alongside Intersex UK and other advocates to do all we can to make sure that happens.”
Joe has become heavily involved in campaigning for an end to these kinds of surgeries on infants and children since sharing his life story in a book, She’s A Boy, in 2015.
