1. United States
2. Ore.
3. Letter

Only one state in the US is forward-thinking enough to have banned IGM (intersex genital mutilation) aka the forced surgical, hormonal, or other medical sexual reassignment of intersex minors. Do we want to let New York be better than us? I don't. Oregon has banned conversion therapy on the basis of sexual orientation and gender expression, but does not extend this same level of autonomy to intersex people. I would like to propose a ban on any external or internal reassignment surgeries for intersex minors (under the age of 18), and restrict hormonal treatments until the age of 14 with the child's consent. At least 20% of intersex adults express having experienced gender dysphoria, and at least 50% of people subjected to IGM lose some degree of sexual function. There is no medical need to perform these surgeries prior to age 18, and certainly not without the patient's informed consent.