Representation of intersex in news media: the case of Kathleen Worrall

Abstract

Abstract In 2010 the New South Wales (NSW) Supreme Court imprisoned Kathleen Worrall for the murder of her sister Susan Worrall. Worrall pleaded guilty to manslaughter 'by reason of … a mood disorder associated with her non-compliance with medication prescribed for the treatment of her underlying medical condition, namely congenital adrenal hyperplasia' (R v Worrall [2010] NSWSC 593). Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is one of five significant configurations of the body which come under the broad rubric of 'intersex'. Intersex is a contemporary term to refer to what is historically known as hermaphroditism. To date no sufficient analysis has been undertaken of the representation of intersex in the media, largely because the term intersex fails to make its mark in the media. To address this imbalance this paper analyses the representation of this case in several of the leading Australian media outlets. What is evidenced is that intersex is often omitted in preference for euphemistic alternatives. Thereby, it is argued that media coverage mirrors the cornerstone of the medicalisation of intersex; that is, the institutionalisation of silence. Keywords: intersexcongenital adrenal hyperplasiaAustraliamediamurder Notes 1. While the author concedes that some intersex people distance themselves from the term 'intersex' and other terms have been offered over the past few years, it is a necessary nomenclature at this time. 2. Past-tense is employed because at the time of writing Kathleen Worrall had passed away. 3. This author avoids using gendered pronouns. 4. The author respects Reimer's self-identity as a man and uses a gendered pronoun. 5. As of August 2010 there were six Facebook 'organisations' and 'common interest' groups. Three are listed under the name 'congenital adrenal hyperplasia' (member numbers of 511, 86 and 27) and the remainder are CAH groups having a specific cohort: 'CAH support faith group' (209 members), 'CAH Australia' (three members), and 'CAH plus bipolar' (three members). 6. A plea of manslaughter would come later, thus for consistency the term 'murder' will be used.