Now I understand very well
What it means to be born different
Normal yet very different
Yet the difference may not be apparent
When I was born a lot happened
The community thought we were cursed
My own father abandoned me
Left my mother thinking she was cursed
I was brought up by a single mother
Single-handedly, dad didn’t bother
With my condition she always looked stronger
Though the depression was evident ever
I grew up as Mary Waithera
Went to Kambala Girls Secondary School
It was very difficult to get a friend
Was at times mistaken for a lesbian
I received love letters from other girls
They nick-named me ‘Mary boy”
During an inspection the letters were found
And I had to go home on suspension
The reason was my condition
Puberty worsened my situation
Mary Waithera had a deepening voice
Sending even the teachers to confusion
In the village life was hard
I couldn’t even be sent to the shop
Everyone wanted to confirm
How it looked to be intersex
Anyone can be born intersex
No one chooses to be born intersex
It is a biological condition
Being born with ambiguous genitalia
My mother later collapsed mentally
She couldn’t stand the depression
The rejection by the community
To date she is in Mathare for medication
Integration into the community was difficult
The transition to a man awed many
Who expected me to grow into a lady
I thought of changing my name
All my documents read Mary Waithera
I could not get a birth certificate
All my school certificates couldn’t be changed
Just because I am intersex
All government forms have provisions
For people to fill either male or female
No one recognizes the 3rd gender
The community that is both of these
After self realization
I sought the help of my grandmother
Who helped me change my name
To James Karanja the man I am
With the help of Gamafrica foundation
And using my baptismal card
I started the process of identification
And at 26 I now have a waiting card
I had once contemplated suicide
But I accepted my condition
I remain strong even for mother
Whom I regularly visit at Mathare
Our community is not recognized
It is difficult to get jobs
Even enrolling in universities
Because we lack an identity
With a B- in the year 2010
I was qualified for direct entry
But my certificates and I are a mismatch
Always been accused of impersonation
Changes need be made in the constitution
To recognize all intersex persons
I hope lawmakers will pass the petition
So we may enjoy our rights too
After extensive medical examination
With the help of Gamafrica foundation
Doctors have made the confirmation
That will help end the confusion
My name is James Karanja
I speak for the intersex
The many children who’ve been neglected
The entire community that is forgotten
We are human, normal just different
Stop the segregation
End the stigmatization
Intersex is not a curse
Intersex is not a disability
@yegonemmanuel_
@OutcastAccepted
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