30 Years of Intersex in Dutch Newspapers : The slow shift from a medical framework to a human rights framework

L. Gijben, B. Keulen, M.J. van der Have

Summary: Intersex issues are understudied from a social scientific perspective. Therefore, this research aims to shed light on public discourses about intersex (issues) in the Dutch media, thereby filling a gap in our current knowledge about how intersex is discussed and perceived in society. For a long time, intersex was solely perceived as a medical issue, until the intersex movement started to challenge this medical frame with a human rights frame. The question is to what extent the intersex movement has been successful in changing the framing of intersex issues in Dutch newspapers. This question has been examined with the use of desk research and critical discourse analysis. The results demonstrate that the intersex movement in the Netherlands has become more visible in the media since 2017. The framing of intersex issues largely depends on who is 'having standing': who is perceived by the media as a relevant actor. While the intersex movement has increased its standing over the last thirty years, medical professionals have lost part of their authority over the issue. As a consequence, the human rights frame became more visible in the public discourse. The social movement coalition between the intersex movement and other LGBTI organisations has also enlarged the visibility and standing of the intersex movement.