Forced Identity: The Story of David Reimer (Part 1)

When he was just seven months old, David Reimer became the victim of a botched circumcision. The accident left him without a penis. His parents, Janet and Ron Reimer, were distraught. They wondered what kind of life David would have. Experts told them that there was little to be done. But then one night, they happened to see an interview with the prominent sexologist Dr. John Money. 

Dr. Money was charismatic. He was confident. He was credentialed. He had a theory that we are all born gender neutral, and that you could actually choose a child’s gender, provided you made the switch before the child turned two years old. Janet and Ron Reimer were filled with hope. They wondered if, with Dr. Money’s help, they find the solution to their son’s tragic accident. 

Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Kristin pulled from: 

“The True Story of John/Joan,” by John Colapinto for Rolling Stone 

An episode of PBS NOVA, “Sex: Unknown”

“Intersex,” The Cleveland Clinic

“It’s Intersex Awareness Day. Here Are 5 Myths We Need to Shatter,” Amnesty International

"John William Money, 84, Sexual Identity Researcher, Dies," by Benedict Carey for The New York Times.

"Milton Diamond, Sexologist and Advocate for Intersex Babies, Dies at 90" by Clary Risen for The New York Times.

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