To put parents and people with AIS and other intersex variations in touch with each other in a safe and confidential environment and encourage them to seek support and information.

To reduce the secrecy, stigma and taboo surrounding AIS and other intersex states, by encouraging doctors, parents and society to be more open.

To encourage the provision of psychological support within the medical system, for young people with AIS, other intersex variations, and their parents.

To put parents and people with AIS and other intersex variations in touch with others and to encourage them to seek support and information.

To increase the availability of information on AIS and other intersex variations both verbal (from health professionals) and written (from the support group and other sources).

To encourage improvements in the treatment for men and women with AIS and other intersex variations in both surgical and non-surgical means.

To encourage research into Gender and Sexual Identity issues.

Policy Statements of the AIS Support Group Australia:

That the AIS Support Group Australia supports calls for a moratorium on non-urgent medical intervention. This includes gonadectomies on children with AIS and clitoral recession.

That the medical profession make every possible effort to overcome the effects of past treatments now considered inappropriate by affected individuals, including provision for reconstructive surgeries and on-going hormone treatment and counselling for those incorrectly assigned.

That a long term follow-up study of people treated with intersex variations be undertaken. This should include a separate study of those born with atypical genitalia and had surgical intervention.

The AIS Support Group Australia supports the full disclosure of a diagnosis of an intersex condition to the parents and the affected individual at the earliest possible appropriate time.

That disclosure of diagnosis should be accompanied by a complete explanation of a full range of treatment options available, either for treatment or the likely outcome of non-intervention.

That parents and affected individuals should be advised of the existence of the support group and medical practitioners should recommend and explain the benefits of contact with the group.

That ongoing medical examinations of affected individuals should not be undertaken unless the medical examinations are required for some demonstrable and specific medical purpose.

That medical photographs should not be taken except in the cases of photographs of affected adults taken with their permission.

The AIS Support Group Australia Inc. strongly recommends further research into the reasons for greater incidence of low bone mineral density in AIS adults and the effects of treatment with hormone replacement therapy by oestrogen or testosterone on bone mineral density.

The AIS Support Group Australia Inc. strongly recommends that research into the effects of the timing of orchidectomies on bone mineral density levels in adulthood be conducted.

The AIS Support Group Australia strongly recommends that any child suspected of being born with any intersex condition be referred to appropriate specialists in order that an accurate diagnosis is reached as early as possible.

About our Motifs and Mascots

You may have noticed some of the artwork on this website and be wondering 'what's this all about?'

Firstly is our AIS child. She/He is an extremely active young person, with a great deal of zest for life. Being a child with AIS she/he could be a boy or a girl... whatever gender she/he chooses! She/He is the mascot of the AIS Support Group Australia Inc.

Then there is the orchid motif. These ornamental flowers of the genus Orchideae are an especially potent symbol. The etymology of the word 'orchid' derives from Latin orchis and from Greek orkhis, which mean 'testicle'. Certainly the protuberances within the orchid's root structure are reminiscent of the male gonads, out of which a beautiful flower grows.

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