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{{short description|Intersex activist}}
{{Short description|German intersex activist}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
|name = Christiane Völling
|name = Christiane Völling
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|caption =
|caption =
|birth_name = Thomas Völling<ref name="dw" />
|birth_name =
|birth_date = {{birth-date and age|17 April 1959}} <ref name="köln" />
|birth_date = {{birth-date and age|17 April 1959}}<ref name="köln" />
|birth_place =
|birth_place =
|nationality = German
|nationality = German
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'''Christiane Völling''' is the first [[intersex]] person known to have successfully sued for damages in a case brought for non-consensual surgical intervention<ref name="raab" /> described as a non-consensual sex reassignment.<ref name="icj2" /> She was awarded €100,000 by the Regional Court of Cologne.<ref name="raab">{{Cite web| last = [[Zwischengeschlecht]]| title = Nuremberg Hermaphrodite Lawsuit: Michaela "Micha" Raab Wins Damages and Compensation for Intersex Genital Mutilations!| format = text| accessdate = 2015-12-21| date = December 17, 2015 | url = http://stop.genitalmutilation.org/post/Nuremberg-Hermaphrodite-Lawsuit-Damages-and-Compensation-for-Intersex-Genital-Mutilations}}</ref>
'''Christiane Völling''' (born 17 April 1959) is the first [[intersex]] person known to have successfully sued for damages in a case brought for non-consensual surgical intervention<ref name="raab" /> described as a non-consensual sex reassignment.<ref name="icj2" /> She was awarded €100,000 by the Regional Court of Cologne.<ref name="raab">{{Cite web| last = Zwischengeschlecht| author-link = Zwischengeschlecht| title = Nuremberg Hermaphrodite Lawsuit: Michaela "Micha" Raab Wins Damages and Compensation for Intersex Genital Mutilations!| format = text| access-date = 2015-12-21| date = December 17, 2015| url = http://stop.genitalmutilation.org/post/Nuremberg-Hermaphrodite-Lawsuit-Damages-and-Compensation-for-Intersex-Genital-Mutilations| archive-date = 2016-05-11| archive-url = https://archive.today/20160511101133/http://stop.genitalmutilation.org/post/Nuremberg-Hermaphrodite-Lawsuit-Damages-and-Compensation-for-Intersex-Genital-Mutilations| url-status = live}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
Völling was born in 1959 with [[XY sex-determination system|XX sex chromosomes]], typically associated with being female, and likely also with [[congenital adrenal hyperplasia]].<ref name="ethikrat">{{Cite web|publisher = [[German Ethics Council]]|title = Christiane Völling|date = 2010|url = http://diskurs.ethikrat.org/christiane-volling/ |accessdate = 2015-12-21 }}</ref> She had ambiguous genitalia and was assigned and raised male. She had an early puberty with what was considered to be striking physical growth, including beard growth.<ref name="icj1">{{Cite web|last = [[International Commission of Jurists]]|title = In re Völling, Regional Court Cologne, Germany (6 February 2008) |accessdate = 2015-12-27|url = http://www.icj.org/sogicasebook/in-re-volling-regional-court-cologne-germany-6-february-2008/}}</ref>
Völling was born in 1959 with [[XY sex-determination system|XX sex chromosomes]], typically associated with being female, and likely also with [[congenital adrenal hyperplasia]].<ref name="ethikrat">{{Cite web|publisher = [[German Ethics Council]]|title = Christiane Völling|date = 2010|url = http://diskurs.ethikrat.org/christiane-volling/|access-date = 2015-12-21|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060821/http://diskurs.ethikrat.org/christiane-volling/|archive-date = 2016-03-04|url-status = dead}}</ref> She had ambiguous genitalia and was assigned and raised male. She had an early puberty with what was considered to be striking physical growth, including beard growth.<ref name="icj1">{{Cite web|last = International Commission of Jurists|author-link = International Commission of Jurists|title = In re Völling, Regional Court Cologne, Germany (6 February 2008)|access-date = 2015-12-27|url = http://www.icj.org/sogicasebook/in-re-volling-regional-court-cologne-germany-6-february-2008/|archive-date = 2016-01-05|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160105074337/http://www.icj.org/sogicasebook/in-re-volling-regional-court-cologne-germany-6-february-2008/|url-status = live}}</ref>


During an appendectomy, at age 14, the teenager was found to have a full set of female reproductive organs,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://zwischengeschlecht.org/pages/Hermaphrodite-wins-damage-claim| title= Christiane Völling: Hermaphrodite wins damage claim over removal of reproductive organs | publisher = [[Zwischengeschlecht]] | date = August 12, 2009 | accessdate = 15 May 2016}}</ref> including ovaries and fallopian tubes. While no testicular tissue was detected, Völling was diagnosed as having a mix of both male and female organs. She was informed of the presence of female organs and told she was 60% female. Völling suffered mental health issues as a consequence. Her female-typical chromosomal pattern was detected in 1977, but the results were not shared with her. Her awareness of her sexuality and her sexual orientation were analysed, followed by surgery at age 18 on 12 August 1977 that removed her female sexual organs, including her reproductive organs. Medical papers showed purpose of the surgery as a "testovarectomy", the removal of both testicular and ovarian tissue, however, no testicular tissue was present.<ref name="icj1" /> The senior physician’s entry stated “a normal female anatomy with pre-pubertal uterus, normal sized ovaries, blindly ending vagina...” were found.<ref name="köln">{{Cite conference| publisher = Regional Court Cologne| last = Regional Court Cologne| title = Re: Völling| location = Cologne| date = 2008-02-06| url = http://icj.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/In-re-Volling-Regional-Court-Cologne-Germany-English.pdf}}</ref>
During an appendectomy, at age 14, the teenager was found to have a full set of female reproductive organs,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://zwischengeschlecht.org/pages/Hermaphrodite-wins-damage-claim | title = Christiane Völling: Hermaphrodite wins damage claim over removal of reproductive organs | publisher = [[Zwischengeschlecht]] | date = August 12, 2009 | access-date = 15 May 2016 | archive-date = 5 July 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150705201148/http://zwischengeschlecht.org/pages/Hermaphrodite-wins-damage-claim | url-status = live }}</ref> including ovaries and fallopian tubes. While no testicular tissue was detected, Völling was diagnosed as having a mix of both male and female organs. She was informed of the presence of female organs and told she was 60% female. Völling suffered mental health issues as a consequence. Her female-typical chromosomal pattern was detected in 1977, but the results were not shared with her. Her awareness of her sexuality and her sexual orientation were analysed, followed by surgery at age 18 on 12 August 1977 that removed her female sexual organs, including her reproductive organs. Medical papers showed purpose of the surgery as a "testovarectomy", the removal of both testicular and ovarian tissue, however, no testicular tissue was present.<ref name="icj1" /> The senior physician’s entry stated “a normal female anatomy with pre-pubertal uterus, normal sized ovaries, blindly ending vagina...” were found.<ref name="köln">{{Cite conference| publisher = Regional Court Cologne| last = Regional Court Cologne| title = Re: Völling| location = Cologne| date = 2008-02-06| url = http://icj.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/In-re-Volling-Regional-Court-Cologne-Germany-English.pdf| access-date = 2015-12-27| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304223848/http://icj.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/In-re-Volling-Regional-Court-Cologne-Germany-English.pdf| archive-date = 2016-03-04| url-status = dead}}</ref>


Völling continued to live as a man for a time, but later transitioned to live as a woman. In 2006, Völling obtained her medical records and discovered the concealment of her chromosomal diagnosis, and the nature of the surgery in 1977.<ref name="icj1" />
Völling continued to live as a man for a time, but later transitioned to live as a woman. In 2006, Völling obtained her medical records and discovered the concealment of her chromosomal diagnosis, and the nature of the surgery in 1977.<ref name="icj1" />
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The surgeon argued that he relied on the diagnostic support of medical specialists. He further argued that Völling did not possess a "naturally female body", but one subjected to [[virilization]], and "profoundly atrophied" sex organs."<ref name="köln" /> In the surgeon's view, the surgery fulfilled the urgent and thoroughly reviewed wishes of the patient. Key diagnostic information was withheld for therapeutic reasons, primarily due to concern about her mental health.
The surgeon argued that he relied on the diagnostic support of medical specialists. He further argued that Völling did not possess a "naturally female body", but one subjected to [[virilization]], and "profoundly atrophied" sex organs."<ref name="köln" /> In the surgeon's view, the surgery fulfilled the urgent and thoroughly reviewed wishes of the patient. Key diagnostic information was withheld for therapeutic reasons, primarily due to concern about her mental health.


The court determined<ref name="köln" /> that the surgery took place in the absence of any grave or acute health risks. The doctor had no good reason for failing to provide full diagnostic information, in particular as the diagnostic data showed that Völling did not possess mixed sex characteristics, with the potential to maintain one present sex, but actually involved the complete removal of her only present sex organs. Völling was both genetically and physically female. An obligation to inform the patient about her diagnoses could not be disregarded for therapeutic reasons as the "surgery's point of origin considerably changed during the surgery".
The court determined<ref name="köln" /> that the surgery took place in the absence of any grave or acute health risks. The doctor had no good reason for failing to provide full diagnostic information, in particular as the diagnostic data showed that Völling did not possess mixed sex characteristics, with the potential to maintain one present sex, but that the surgery actually involved the complete removal of her only present sex organs. Völling was both genetically and physically female. An obligation to inform the patient about her diagnoses could not be disregarded for therapeutic reasons as the "surgery's point of origin considerably changed during the surgery".


The court ruled that "the Defendant illegally, in a deliberate and culpable manner, injured the Plaintiff’s health by removing his female sex organs" without full consent about the nature, content and extent of the surgery.<ref name="köln" /> Völling was awarded costs of €100,000.<ref name="raab" />
The court ruled that "the Defendant illegally, in a deliberate and culpable manner, injured the Plaintiff’s health by removing his female sex organs" without full consent about the nature, content and extent of the surgery.<ref name="köln" /> Völling was awarded damages of €100,000.<ref name="raab" />


The [[International Commission of Jurists]] describe the case as "an example of an individual who was subjected to sex reassignment surgery without full knowledge or consent".<ref name="icj2">{{Cite web|last = International Commission of Jurists|title = SOGI Casebook Introduction, Chapter six: Intersex |accessdate = 2015-12-27|url = http://www.icj.org/sogi-casebook-introduction/chapter-six-intersex/}}</ref> The case fell just within limits afforded by the [[statute of limitations]].<ref name="dw" />
The [[International Commission of Jurists]] describe the case as "an example of an individual who was subjected to sex reassignment surgery without full knowledge or consent".<ref name="icj2">{{Cite web|last = International Commission of Jurists|title = SOGI Casebook Introduction, Chapter six: Intersex|access-date = 2015-12-27|url = http://www.icj.org/sogi-casebook-introduction/chapter-six-intersex/|archive-date = 2019-05-07|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190507231116/https://www.icj.org/sogi-casebook-introduction/chapter-six-intersex/|url-status = live}}</ref> The case fell just within limits afforded by the [[statute of limitations]].<ref name="dw" />


In addition to the reparations case, Völling had to petition a court for her official change of name and change of legal status from male to female.<ref name="dw">{{Cite web| last = DW Staff| title = German Gender-Assignment Case Has Intersexuals Hopeful |publisher = [[Deutsche Welle]] |date = 12 December 2007|work = DW.COM|accessdate = 2015-12-21|url = http://www.dw.com/en/german-gender-assignment-case-has-intersexuals-hopeful/a-3000902}}</ref>
In addition to the case, Völling petitioned a court for her official change of name and change of legal status from male to female.<ref name="dw">{{Cite web|last = DW Staff|title = German Gender-Assignment Case Has Intersexuals Hopeful|publisher = [[Deutsche Welle]]|date = 12 December 2007|work = DW.COM|access-date = 2015-12-21|url = http://www.dw.com/en/german-gender-assignment-case-has-intersexuals-hopeful/a-3000902|archive-date = 2015-12-22|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222145816/http://www.dw.com/en/german-gender-assignment-case-has-intersexuals-hopeful/a-3000902|url-status = live}}</ref>


== Publications ==
== Publications ==
{{cite book |last=Völling |first=Christiane |date=25 August 2010 |title=Ich war Mann und Frau. Mein Leben als Intersexuelle |trans-title=I Was Man and Woman. My Life as an Intersexual |url= |location= |publisher=Fackelträger Verlag |page= |isbn=978-3-7716-4455-0 |language=German}}
{{cite book |last=Völling |first=Christiane |date=25 August 2010 |title=Ich war Mann und Frau. Mein Leben als Intersexuelle |trans-title=I Was Man and Woman. My Life as an Intersexual |publisher=Fackelträger Verlag |isbn=978-3-7716-4455-0 |language=de}}


== See also ==
== See also ==
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== References ==
== References ==
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{{Reflist}}

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{{Reflist|2}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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{{Intersex|state=collapsed}}
{{Medical ethics cases|state=collapsed}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Voelling, Christiane}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Volling, Christiane}}
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Intersex people]]
[[Category:Intersex women]]
[[Category:Intersex rights activists]]
[[Category:Intersex rights activists]]
[[Category:Medical controversies in Germany]]
[[Category:Medical controversies in Germany]]
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[[Category:Intersex rights in Germany]]
[[Category:Intersex rights in Germany]]
[[Category:German activists]]
[[Category:German activists]]
[[Category:Transgender women writers]]

{{Intersex|state=collapsed}}
[[Category:Intersex writers]]
[[Category:21st-century German LGBT people]]
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{{Medical ethics cases|state=collapsed}}
[[Category:German intersex people]]

Revision as of 00:27, 13 January 2024

Christiane Völling
Born17 April 1959 (1959-04-17) (age 65)[1]
NationalityGerman
Known forIntersex litigant and author

Christiane Völling (born 17 April 1959) is the first intersex person known to have successfully sued for damages in a case brought for non-consensual surgical intervention[2] described as a non-consensual sex reassignment.[3] She was awarded €100,000 by the Regional Court of Cologne.[2]

History

Völling was born in 1959 with XX sex chromosomes, typically associated with being female, and likely also with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.[4] She had ambiguous genitalia and was assigned and raised male. She had an early puberty with what was considered to be striking physical growth, including beard growth.[5]

During an appendectomy, at age 14, the teenager was found to have a full set of female reproductive organs,[6] including ovaries and fallopian tubes. While no testicular tissue was detected, Völling was diagnosed as having a mix of both male and female organs. She was informed of the presence of female organs and told she was 60% female. Völling suffered mental health issues as a consequence. Her female-typical chromosomal pattern was detected in 1977, but the results were not shared with her. Her awareness of her sexuality and her sexual orientation were analysed, followed by surgery at age 18 on 12 August 1977 that removed her female sexual organs, including her reproductive organs. Medical papers showed purpose of the surgery as a "testovarectomy", the removal of both testicular and ovarian tissue, however, no testicular tissue was present.[5] The senior physician’s entry stated “a normal female anatomy with pre-pubertal uterus, normal sized ovaries, blindly ending vagina...” were found.[1]

Völling continued to live as a man for a time, but later transitioned to live as a woman. In 2006, Völling obtained her medical records and discovered the concealment of her chromosomal diagnosis, and the nature of the surgery in 1977.[5]

The case of Re: Völling

In a case decided on 6 February 2008, in the Regional Court of Cologne, Völling stated that she had been unable to consent to, or fully understand, the nature of the surgery that took place in 1977. She argued that, with appropriate medical treatment, she could have lived the life of a woman, including full female sexuality and the ability to procreate. In addition to life in an inappropriate gender, she suffered the consequences of castration, and of a urethra reconstruction, including persistent urinary tract infections and urinary dysfunction.

The surgeon argued that he relied on the diagnostic support of medical specialists. He further argued that Völling did not possess a "naturally female body", but one subjected to virilization, and "profoundly atrophied" sex organs."[1] In the surgeon's view, the surgery fulfilled the urgent and thoroughly reviewed wishes of the patient. Key diagnostic information was withheld for therapeutic reasons, primarily due to concern about her mental health.

The court determined[1] that the surgery took place in the absence of any grave or acute health risks. The doctor had no good reason for failing to provide full diagnostic information, in particular as the diagnostic data showed that Völling did not possess mixed sex characteristics, with the potential to maintain one present sex, but that the surgery actually involved the complete removal of her only present sex organs. Völling was both genetically and physically female. An obligation to inform the patient about her diagnoses could not be disregarded for therapeutic reasons as the "surgery's point of origin considerably changed during the surgery".

The court ruled that "the Defendant illegally, in a deliberate and culpable manner, injured the Plaintiff’s health by removing his female sex organs" without full consent about the nature, content and extent of the surgery.[1] Völling was awarded damages of €100,000.[2]

The International Commission of Jurists describe the case as "an example of an individual who was subjected to sex reassignment surgery without full knowledge or consent".[3] The case fell just within limits afforded by the statute of limitations.[7]

In addition to the case, Völling petitioned a court for her official change of name and change of legal status from male to female.[7]

Publications

Völling, Christiane (25 August 2010). Ich war Mann und Frau. Mein Leben als Intersexuelle [I Was Man and Woman. My Life as an Intersexual] (in German). Fackelträger Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7716-4455-0.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Regional Court Cologne (2008-02-06). Re: Völling (PDF). Cologne: Regional Court Cologne. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  2. ^ a b c Zwischengeschlecht (December 17, 2015). "Nuremberg Hermaphrodite Lawsuit: Michaela "Micha" Raab Wins Damages and Compensation for Intersex Genital Mutilations!" (text). Archived from the original on 2016-05-11. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  3. ^ a b International Commission of Jurists. "SOGI Casebook Introduction, Chapter six: Intersex". Archived from the original on 2019-05-07. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  4. ^ "Christiane Völling". German Ethics Council. 2010. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  5. ^ a b c International Commission of Jurists. "In re Völling, Regional Court Cologne, Germany (6 February 2008)". Archived from the original on 2016-01-05. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  6. ^ "Christiane Völling: Hermaphrodite wins damage claim over removal of reproductive organs". Zwischengeschlecht. August 12, 2009. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  7. ^ a b DW Staff (12 December 2007). "German Gender-Assignment Case Has Intersexuals Hopeful". DW.COM. Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
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