Peacock’s new doc exposes harmful surgeries and celebrates intersex empowerment
As the LGBTQ+ community continues its fight for visibility and equality, Every Body, now streaming on Peacock, shines a much-needed spotlight on intersex people—a group often sidelined in both queer and medical conversations. Directed by Julie Cohen, best known for her work on RBG, this documentary offers a revealing, compassionate look at the lives of three intersex individuals who bravely step forward to share their stories, reclaim their bodies, and challenge deeply entrenched medical practices.
The film centers on three key figures: Sean Saifa Wall, Alicia Roth Weigel, and River Gallo. Each of their stories highlights the intersection of medical intervention and personal identity, touching on how medical authorities once sought to “normalize” intersex bodies through non-consensual surgeries performed in infancy or childhood. These procedures, intended to make intersex bodies fit within binary gender norms, often resulted in long-term physical, psychological, and emotional harm.
A History of Medical Trauma
For decades, intersex children—those born with variations in sex characteristics that don’t fit typical definitions of male or female—were subjected to surgeries meant to “correct” or “normalize” their bodies. These surgeries often included removing or reshaping genitalia, constructing reproductive organs, and prescribing hormone therapy—all without the child’s consent. While the aim was to make intersex individuals conform to a clear male or female identity, the outcomes were often traumatic, causing lifelong harm.
One of the strengths of Every Body is how it balances these difficult histories with personal triumphs. Sean Saifa Wall, who was surgically assigned female in infancy despite always identifying as male, offers a deeply personal account of the psychological toll these medical decisions took on his life. Through archival footage and Wall’s reflective commentary, the documentary illustrates how early medical interventions created identity crises for those forced into a binary that didn’t match their reality.
Similarly, Alicia Roth Weigel, born with internal testes but raised as female, shares her story of having to hide her intersex identity from the world—including from her own family. Her struggle, like Wall’s, is one of secrecy and shame imposed by both medical authorities and societal norms. These narratives, presented with a blend of vulnerability and resilience, reflect the deep emotional scars caused by these invasive, often unnecessary procedures.
A Celebration of Empowerment
What sets Every Body apart from other documentaries is its focus on resilience and empowerment. Though the trauma is undeniable, the film also showcases how these individuals have reclaimed their identities and fought back against the systems that sought to silence them. River Gallo’s story of embracing their intersex identity, after years of confusion and isolation, is a testament to the power of self-acceptance. Gallo was given prosthetic testicles in their teens without fully understanding why or having a say in the matter. The film emphasizes Gallo’s journey of discovering and embracing their body as it is, without the need for surgical or societal validation.
By highlighting the activism of its three central figures, Every Body places intersex rights within the broader context of the LGBTQ+ movement, underscoring that the fight for bodily autonomy is as relevant for intersex people as it is for transgender and non-binary individuals. The documentary argues that intersex people, like others within the queer community, deserve the right to define their own bodies and identities without external pressure or intervention.
The Broader Implications
The timing of Every Body is particularly significant. Released at a moment when the United States is grappling with issues of bodily autonomy and healthcare rights—especially in the context of transgender healthcare—the film is both timely and urgent. The historical context it provides makes clear that these medical interventions are not just relics of the past; they are ongoing issues that still affect intersex individuals today. Many intersex advocacy groups, including InterACT, are actively working to change these practices by pushing for legislation that protects the rights of intersex youth and ensures that no child is subjected to non-consensual surgeries.
The film also highlights the fact that these harmful medical practices are often rooted in larger societal fears about difference. Intersex bodies challenge binary concepts of gender and sexuality, and medical authorities have long responded to this challenge by attempting to erase these differences. As Every Body illustrates, this erasure comes at a steep cost. The film invites viewers to question not only medical norms but also societal expectations about gender and identity.
Why It Matters to Us
The fight for bodily autonomy, which is central to intersex advocacy, is a shared struggle within the LGBTQ+ community. Whether it’s the right to gender-affirming care for trans individuals or simply the right to exist without being forced into rigid categories, the core issues in Every Body resonate across queer movements. The documentary makes a compelling case for challenging the systems that demand conformity and erasure, emphasizing that true equality means recognizing and honoring the full diversity of human bodies and identities.
What You Can Do
If Every Body resonates with you, there are tangible ways to support intersex advocacy. Groups like InterACT are fighting to end non-consensual medical interventions on intersex youth and to secure their right to bodily autonomy. Donating to such organizations, raising awareness about intersex issues, and supporting legislative reforms are all critical steps in ensuring that intersex people can live without fear of having their identities imposed upon them by others.
At its heart, Every Body is more than just a documentary—it’s a call to action for the LGBTQ+ community to expand its fight for justice. By sharing intersex stories, advocating for healthcare reform, and pushing for legal protections, there is so much we can do to stand in solidarity with our intersex siblings.
With files from The Advocate, Pride.com, LGBTQ Nation, and KQED.