| dc.description.abstract | Intersex persons who share their story publicly can experience feeling empowered (Marinus & Cense, 2024). Wallerstein (1992) describes empowerment as the participation of individuals and communities in social action processes, yet there are risks of feelings of powerlessness and demotivation (Cox, 2011). Intersex ambassadors of project {i}nclusief of NNID – expertise center sex diversity – share their story via workshops (NNID, 2024). With a qualitative mixed methods approach the current study aimed to answer the question: “How do intersex persons experience their participation in initiatives for intersex inclusion and sex diversity regarding feelings of empowerment and powerlessness?”
Understandings of (psychological and community) empowerment (Wallerstein, 1992), powerlessness (Cox, 2011) and intersex experiences (Marinus & Cense, 2024) suggested how ambassadors could experience empowerment. With interviews and a focus group, the experiences of five intersex ambassadors (aged 50-70) were collected and analyzed with a thematic analysis. Additionally, two events at which ambassadors participated were observed to gain contextual insight.
Ambassadors experienced psychological and community empowerment in different ways (Wallerstein, 1992). Feelings of control, motivation, openly telling their story, having impact, support, belonging, community, contact, knowledge, and past experiences all contributed to their empowerment. The empowerment ambassadors experience from feelings of belonging and going against past secrecy and shame is specific to intersex experiences described by Marinus & Cense (2024).
While the social support ambassadors experience is protective against feelings of powerlessness, there are experiences that ignite feelings of powerlessness (Cox, 2011). Limited sense of community and community competence because of a dissension of intersex people could hamper ambassadors’ community empowerment. Furthermore, the reported lack of acknowledgement and visible results can make them feel demotivated and powerless (Cox, 2011). Therefore, ambassadors want more feedback, acknowledgement and (positive) reactions. Moreover, more contact between ambassadors and practical training can contribute to their empowerment by increasing skills, knowledge, support and belonging. The experiences and desires of intersex ambassadors inform how to enhance their empowerment. Future research should investigate how empowerment and motivation can be sustained by doing follow-up research after project {i}nclusief has been active for a longer period of time. | |
