Jeff Cagandahan

Last updated
Jeff Cagandahan
Born
Jennifer Cagandahan

Pakil, Laguna, Philippines
OccupationCo-chair of Intersex Asia
Known forIntersex human rights activist
Website intersexasia.org

Jeff Cagandahan is a prominent Filipino intersex man and intersex human rights activist. Raised female and diagnosed with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cagandahan successfully petitioned the Philippine courts to change name and sex markers, becoming the first person to win such a case. [1] [2]

Contents

Early life

While observed as female at birth, as Cagandahan grew, male characteristics developed, causing discomfort and experiences of stigma at school and work. [1] Cagandahan failed to develop breasts or menstruate, and male characteristics dominated. [1] He graduated with a Bachelor in Physical Education and became a teacher. [1] He found information about congenital adrenal hyperplasia while reading in his workplace library, sought a diagnosis and received one at the Philippine General Hospital at age 22. [1]

Republic v. Jennifer B. Cagandahan

Due to embarrassment and discrimination, Cagandahan sought to amend the sex in his birth certificate. [3] Cagandahan filed a petition for a correction to his birth certificate on December 11, 2003, later presenting medical testimony in support of the petition. The petition was granted on January 12, 2005. [4] The case was appealed by the Office of the Solicitor General, on the basis that court rules were not complied with, and the statement that congenital adrenal hyperplasia did not make Cagandahan male. [4] On September 12, 2008, the Supreme Court of the Philippines approved a correction to his birth certificate, including a change of gender and a change of name. [5] [4] [6] [7]

The Supreme Court opined that he had "allowed 'nature to take its course' and had not interfered with what 'he was born with'" [8] but also accepted a role for self-determination. [9] The court opined:

Ultimately, we are of the view that where the person is biologically or naturally intersex the determining factor in his gender classification would be what the individual, like respondent, having reached the age of majority, with good reason thinks of his/her sex... Respondent is the one who has to live with his intersex anatomy. To him belongs the human right to the pursuit of happiness and of health. Thus, to him should belong the primordial choice of what courses of action to take along the path of his sexual development and maturation. [4]

The case made Cagandahan the first Filipino legally permitted to change name and gender markers. [10]

Activism

Cagandahan became an advocate as a "mission to help others". [3] He promotes intersex community development in the Philippines, stating that intersex people are not cursed and "should not be ashamed of who they are". He has also called for a "broadening" of the LGBT community, which "presupposes their inclusion, and yet fails to recognize their existence by adding them in the 'rainbow acronym'". [2] He states that intersex people in the Philippines face specific issues, including the affordability of medication and healthcare, lack of information, and lack of acceptance. [2]

Cagandahan has helped to create a national intersex organization, Intersex Philippines, [10] and also participated in the Asian Intersex Forum in 2018 which established Intersex Asia. He is currently a board member of Intersex Asia.

Cagandahan organized the 1st Philippines National Intersex Forum in November 2019 supported by Intersex Asia and COC Nederland.

Related Research Articles

The legal status of transgender people varies greatly around the world. Some countries have enacted laws protecting the rights of transgender individuals, but others have criminalized their gender identity or expression. In many cases, transgender individuals face discrimination in employment, housing, healthcare, and other areas of life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Congenital adrenal hyperplasia</span> Medical condition

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of autosomal recessive disorders characterized by impaired cortisol synthesis. It results from the deficiency of one of the five enzymes required for the synthesis of cortisol in the adrenal cortex. Most of these disorders involve excessive or deficient production of hormones such as glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, or sex steroids, and can alter development of primary or secondary sex characteristics in some affected infants, children, or adults. It is one of the most common autosomal recessive disorders in humans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency</span> Medical condition

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (CAH) is a genetic disorder characterized by impaired production of cortisol in the adrenal glands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intersex medical interventions</span> Performed to modify atypical or ambiguous genitalia

Intersex medical interventions (IMI), sometimes known as intersex genital mutilations (IGM), are surgical, hormonal and other medical interventions performed to modify atypical or ambiguous genitalia and other sex characteristics, primarily for the purposes of making a person's appearance more typical and to reduce the likelihood of future problems. The history of intersex surgery has been characterized by controversy due to reports that surgery can compromise sexual function and sensation, and create lifelong health issues. The medical interventions can be for a variety of reasons, due to the enormous variety of the disorders of sex development. Some disorders, such as salt-wasting disorder, can be life-threatening if left untreated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clitoromegaly</span> Unusually large clitoris

Clitoromegaly is an abnormal enlargement of the clitoris that is mostly congenital; it is otherwise acquired through deliberately induced clitoral enlargement e.g. body modification by use of anabolic steroids, including testosterone. It can happen as part of a gender transition. It is not the same as normal enlargement of the clitoris seen during sexual arousal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disorders of sex development</span> Medical conditions involving the development of the reproductive system

Disorders of sex development (DSDs), also known as differences in sex development or variations in sex characteristics (VSC), are congenital conditions affecting the reproductive system, in which development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex is atypical.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intersex</span> Atypical congenital variations of sex characteristics

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intersex human rights</span> Human rights for intersex people

Intersex people are born with sex characteristics, such as chromosomes, gonads, or genitals, that, according to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, "do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies."

Christiane Völling is the first intersex person known to have successfully sued for damages in a case brought for non-consensual surgical intervention described as a non-consensual sex reassignment. She was awarded €100,000 by the Regional Court of Cologne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intersex people in history</span>

Intersex, in humans and other animals, describes variations in sex characteristics including chromosomes, gonads, sex hormones, or genitals that, according to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, "do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies". Intersex people were historically termed hermaphrodites, "congenital eunuchs", or even congenitally "frigid". Such terms have fallen out of favor, now considered to be misleading and stigmatizing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legal recognition of intersex people</span>

Intersex people are born with sex characteristics, such as chromosomes, gonads, or genitals that, according to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, "do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legal recognition of non-binary gender</span>

Multiple countries legally recognize non-binary or third gender classifications. These classifications are typically based on a person's gender identity. In some countries, such classifications may only be available to intersex people, born with sex characteristics that "do not fit the typical definitions for male or female bodies."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intersex and LGBT</span> Relationship between different sex and gender minorities

Intersex people are born with sex characteristics that "do not fit the typical definitions for male or female bodies". They are substantially more likely to identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) than endosex people, an estimated 52% identifying as non-heterosexual and 8.5% to 20% experiencing gender dysphoria. Although many intersex people are heterosexual and cisgender, this overlap and "shared experiences of harm arising from dominant societal sex and gender norms" has led to intersex people often being included under the LGBT umbrella, with the acronym sometimes expanded to LGBTI. Some intersex activists and organisations have criticised this inclusion as distracting from intersex-specific issues such as involuntary medical interventions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of intersex history</span> Overview of notable events in the timeline of intersex history

The following is a timeline of intersex history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intersex rights in New Zealand</span> Overview of intersex peoples rights in New Zealand

Intersex rights in New Zealand are protections and rights afforded to intersex people. Protection from discrimination is implied by the Human Rights Act and the Bill of Rights Act, but remains untested. The New Zealand Human Rights Commission states that there has seemingly been a "lack of political will to address issues involved in current practices of genital normalisation on intersex children".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intersex rights in France</span> Intersex peoples rights in France

Intersex people in France face significant gaps in protection from non-consensual medical interventions and protection from discrimination. The birth of Abel Barbin, a nineteenth-century intersex woman, is marked in Intersex Day of Remembrance. Barbin may have been the first intersex person to write a memoir, later published by Michel Foucault.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intersex rights in China</span> Overview of intersex peoples rights in China

Intersex rights in China including the People's Republic of China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, etc., are protections and rights afforded to intersex people through legislation and regulation. Obligations also arise in United Nations member states that sign international human rights treaties, such as the People's Republic of China. Intersex people in China suffer discrimination. Issues include both lack of access to health care and coercive genital surgeries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intersex rights in Nepal</span>

In 2015, Nepal introduced constitutional recognition for "gender and sexual minorities". Despite this, the rights situation of intersex people in Nepal is unclear. Local activists have identified human rights violations, including significant gaps in protection of rights to physical integrity and bodily autonomy, and protection from discrimination. A first national meeting of intersex people look place in early 2016,Organised by First openly Intersex Rights Activist Esan Regmi in Nepal. with support from the UNDP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genetic diagnosis of intersex</span>

Intersex people are born with natural variations in physical and sex characteristics including those of the chromosomes, gonads, sex hormones, or genitals that, according to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, "do not fit the typical definitions for male or female bodies". Such variations may involve genital ambiguity, and combinations of chromosomal genotype and sexual phenotype other than XY-male and XX-female. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis allows the elimination of embryos and fetuses with intersex traits and thus has an impact on discrimination against intersex people.

Late onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia (LOCAH), also known as nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, is a milder form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a group of autosomal recessive disorders characterized by impaired cortisol synthesis that leads to variable degrees of postnatal androgen excess.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Jeff (February 28, 2018). "Jennifer's Story". Rare Disease Day . Retrieved March 19, 2021.[ dead link ]
  2. 1 2 3 dela Cruz Tan, Michael David (February 14, 2018). "Jeff Cagandahan: 'More efforts needed to truly include intersex community'". Outrage Magazine . Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  3. 1 2 dela Cruz Tan, Michael David (December 19, 2019). "Intersex Pride". Outrage Magazine . Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Republic vs Cagandahan, G.R. No. 166676(Supreme Court of the Philippines, Second DivisionSeptember 12, 2008).
  5. International Commission of Jurists (2017). "Republic of the Philippines v. Jennifer Cagandahan, Supreme Court of the Philippines, Second Division (12 September 2008)". International Commission of Jurists. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  6. ppl. "Republic vs Cagandahan, G.R. No. 166676, 2008-09-12". Lawyerly. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  7. Outrage Mag (September 12, 2018). "Living History: Intersex in focus in Phl". Outrage Magazine . Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  8. Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (2016). "Promoting and Protecting Human Rights in Relation to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Sex Characteristics" . Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  9. International Commission of Jurists (2015). "SOGI Casebook Chapter Six: Intersex" . Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  10. 1 2 Mendoza, Aih (June 21, 2019). "What happens when your body is both male and female?". CNN Philippines . Archived from the original on November 21, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2021.