None of the Above (novel)

Last updated
None of the Above
None of the Above (novel).jpg
First edition
AuthorI. W. Gregorio
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Genre Novel, young adult
Publisher HarperCollins
Publication date
April 2015
Media typePrint (Paperback and Hardback) and E-book
Pages352
ISBN 978-0-06-233531-9

None of the Above is a novel by I. W. Gregorio, published in 2015 about an adolescent intersex girl, Kristin, who discovers she has an intersex condition shortly after becoming Homecoming Queen. [1]

Contents

Conception and influences

The author, I. W. Gregorio, is a practicing urologist, and the book was inspired by a patient who, like the book's character, has androgen insensitivity syndrome. [2]

Synopsis

Kristin Lattimer is a champion hurdler and homecoming queen who, after a painful first sexual experience, discovers she has an intersex trait, androgen insensitivity syndrome. The book explores the unraveling of her school life, home life and sport life, once her diagnosis is disclosed to her school. [3] [4]

Reception

Kirkus Reviews describes the book as "sensitive and a valuable resource" for teens aged 14–18. [5]

The book was a finalist in the 2015 Lambda Literary Award, in the "LGBT Children's/Young Adult section". [6] None of the Above also appears on the 2016 Rainbow Book List. [7]

Adaptation

The book has been optioned for a TV series by Lifeline. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Androgen insensitivity syndrome</span> Medical condition

Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is a difference in sex development involving hormonal resistance due to androgen receptor dysfunction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Partial androgen insensitivity syndrome</span> Medical condition

Partial androgen insensitivity syndrome (PAIS) is a condition that results in the partial inability of the cell to respond to androgens. It is an X linked recessive condition. The partial unresponsiveness of the cell to the presence of androgenic hormones impairs the masculinization of male genitalia in the developing fetus, as well as the development of male secondary sexual characteristics at puberty, but does not significantly impair female genital or sexual development. As such, the insensitivity to androgens is clinically significant only when it occurs in individuals with a Y chromosome. Clinical features include ambiguous genitalia at birth and primary amenhorrhoea with clitoromegaly with inguinal masses. Mullerian structures are not present in the individual.

<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, diverse sex development and 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">Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome</span> Intersex condition that results in a phenotypic female

Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) is an AIS condition that results in the complete inability of the cell to respond to androgens. As such, the insensitivity to androgens is only clinically significant when it occurs in individuals who are exposed to significant amounts of testosterone at some point in their lives. The unresponsiveness of the cell to the presence of androgenic hormones prevents the masculinization of male genitalia in the developing fetus, as well as the development of male secondary sexual characteristics at puberty, but does allow, without significant impairment, female genital and sexual development in those with the condition.

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

Intersex people are individuals born with any of several sex characteristics including chromosome patterns, gonads, or genitals that, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, "do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies".

Robin Reardon is an American novelist who writes stories about gay teens.

Tony Briffa is a Maltese-Australian politician who is notable for being the world's first known intersex and non-binary mayor and public officeholder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intersex civil society organizations</span> Intersex Human Rights Organizations: Worldwide

Intersex civil society organizations have existed since at least the mid-1980s. They include peer support groups and advocacy organizations active on health and medical issues, human rights, legal recognition, and peer and family support. Some groups, including the earliest, were open to people with specific intersex traits, while others are open to people with many different kinds of intersex traits.

<i>Fixing Sex</i>

Fixing Sex: Intersex, Medical Authority, and Lived Experience, a book by Stanford anthropologist and bioethicist Katrina Karkazis, was published in 2008. Described as "thoughtful", "meticulous", and an "authoritative treatise on intersex", the book examines the perspectives of intersex people, their families, and clinicians to offer compassionate look at the treatment of people born with atypical sex characteristics.

Phoebe Hart is an Australian filmmaker, lecturer and intersex rights activist, born with Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome. Hart lectures in film, television and digital media at the Queensland University of Technology, and is principal of Hartflicker, a video and film production company. She is known particularly for her autobiographical road trip movie, Orchids, My Intersex Adventure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intersex characters in fiction</span>

Intersex people are born with sex characteristics, such as genitals, gonads and chromosome patterns, "that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies". Literary descriptions may use older or different language for intersex traits, including describing intersex people as hermaphrodites, neither wholly male or female, or a combination of male and female. This page examines intersex characters in fictional works as a whole, focusing on characters and tropes over time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Literature about intersex</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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Television works about intersex</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".

<i>Galileos Middle Finger</i> 2015 book by Alice Dreger

Galileo's Middle Finger is a 2015 book about the ethics of medical research by Alice Dreger, an American bioethicist and author. Dreger explores the relationship between science and social justice by discussing a number of scientific controversies. These include the debates surrounding intersex genital surgery, autogynephilia, and anthropologist Napoleon Chagnon's work.

Intersex Peer Support Australia (IPSA), also known as the Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome Support Group Australia, is possibly the oldest known intersex organization, established in 1985. It provides peer and family support, information and advocacy. The group is run by volunteers, for people with intersex variations such as androgen insensitivity syndrome. It changed name from the Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome Support Group Australia (AISSGA) to Intersex Peer Support Australia in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miriam van der Have</span> Dutch intersex activist

Miriam van der Have is an intersex human rights activist and woman with androgen insensitivity syndrome. She is a co-founder and co-chair of OII Europe e.V in 2015, co-founder and managing director of NNID Foundation in the Netherlands and member of the ILGA board where she is Intersex Secretariat until spring 2019. Van der Have is also a documentary film maker and journalist.

Bonnie Hart is an Australian artist, film maker, and intersex human rights activist, born with androgen insensitivity syndrome and president of Intersex Peer Support Australia. Hart performs nationally and internationally, and speaks on intersex issues nationally and internationally. In 2016, Australia's Gay News Network included her in their "25 LGBTI people to watch in 2017".

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

Intersex people in the United Kingdom face significant gaps in legal protections, particularly in protection from non-consensual medical interventions, and protection from discrimination. Actions by intersex civil society organisations aim to eliminate unnecessary medical interventions and harmful practices, promote social acceptance, and equality in line with Council of Europe and United Nations demands. Intersex civil society organisations campaign for greater social acceptance, understanding of issues of bodily autonomy, and recognition of the human rights of intersex people.

Kimberly Zieselman is an attorney, human rights advocate, author, and intersex woman, with androgen insensitivity syndrome. She currently serves as executive director of interACT, and is a signatory of the Yogyakarta Principles plus 10. In 2020, her memoir XOXY was published.

J.E. Sumerau is an American non-binary trans woman who is a novelist and scholar. Their work focuses on "the intersections of sexualities, gender, religion, and health in the reproduction of inequalities that facilitate patterns of violence in society." They use the pronouns she/they.

References

  1. "None of the Above by I. W. Gregorio". Feminist Fiction. April 17, 2015.
  2. Leary, Alaina (2015). "This Intersex Character Is Leading The Way In YA". Bust . Retrieved 2016-05-26.
  3. "None of the Above". I. W. Gregorio. 2013. Retrieved 2016-05-26.
  4. "None of the Above". Publishers Weekly . Retrieved 2016-05-26.
  5. "None of the Above". Kirkus Reviews . Retrieved 2016-05-26.
  6. "28th Annual Lambda Literary Award Finalists Announced". March 8, 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-26.
  7. "2016 Rainbow Book List". January 16, 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-26.
  8. Petski, Denise (April 20, 2016). "Lifetime Sets Movie Projects With Ronda Rousey, Janet Jackson & Serena Williams, Greenlights Supernatural Pilot, More". Deadline. Retrieved 2016-05-26.