Aug 18, 2020
Episode 1 of 2:
Seven is a British intersex activist, comedian, filmmaker and playwright, and drug addiction counsellor.
Born as “Sarah” in 1969, she would come to learn at the age of 24 that she was actually born an Intersex person; both female and male body parts. Sarah’s discomfort with her identity started early and would only be truly understood at the discovering of her intersex status. Neither she nor her parents were told the truth. Instead, Sir John professor Dewhurst, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists told Sarah’s family she had ovarian cancer and secretly removed the internal testes. A practice that he and his team continued advocating; deciding the gender of intersex children without any input from the child nor the parents. An enormous breach of decency, trust and ethics, in the name of medical research. These “experts” believed nurture was stronger than nature-to devastating results for those they played god over.
Sarah was then forced to have bi-annual check-ups, again being told the entire time it was cancer related. This intimate, regular invasion contributed to Sarah becoming vulnerable to sexual predators, shame and drug abuse. This information caused an explosion of identity and belonging, but ultimately led to a journey of awakening, albeit a difficult one.
Through many trials and tribulations, in c. 2017, Seven was born. Seven prefers the pronoun “they” and has truly curated a life of authenticity and advocacy that is awe-inspiring!
Seven has advised the UK Government on its addiction policy as well as counselled Mitch Winehouse, which was documented in his story "My Daughter Amy." Seven has written two plays on the Intersex topic and continues to advocate for Intersex equality, especially in the creative world of Hollywood. Seven is currently an executive Producer, along with Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson on an exciting short film called "Ponyboi," hopefully soon to be a full length feature film. It stars River Gallo, a brilliant, talented intersex actor & writer.
There is so much depth, awareness and passion in Seven that comes through in this podcast. Please enjoy this wonderful story.
"Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise." --May Angelou
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Connecting with Seven:
https://m.facebook.com/SevenGrahamSolutions/
https://twitter.com/SevenGraham69
https://www.youtube.com/user/SarahGDirects
https://www.instagram.com/angelsareintersex/
Watch Seven in Action:
Mitch Winehouse Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILeND5DO3UM&feature=youtu.be
Highlighting the need for Teen Rehab homes in the UK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDc4vH7lfak&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqQ57joNLwk&feature=youtu.be
Co-Producing Ponyboi & advocating AGAINST performing genital surgery on intersex children!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVtbSUUOT8s
Directing the film "Still I shine" (inspired by Maya Angelou poem) shown at The Tate Modern https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-azxF8NFBVU&feature=youtu.be
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The Shot Caller Echosystem
