Warning: This article contains discussion of surgery on intersex infants which some readers may find distressing.
A man who was born intersex has revealed how he was raised as a girl after doctors performed surgery on him after his birth.
Jim Ambrose features in a new documentary from Channel 4 called The Secret of Me, which reveals the prevalence of surgical intervention in infants who are born intersex.
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This still happens in many countries around the globe, and effectively means that doctors carry out ‘corrective’ surgery on an infant to make their genitalia align with what is considered either male or female.
Jim, now in his late 40s, shared that he was raised as a girl, but a class at college led to him realizing what had happened to him not long after he was born.
« I was taking this feminist studies course, » he said, « I had no idea when I walked into this class that my whole f***ing world was gonna turn upside down. »Jim recalled flicking through a text that was assigned for the class, and reading about babies who are ‘born with bodies with genitals that fall outside an arbitrary acceptable norm’.
Explaining what can happen in this scenario, he said: « The length is measured. This long you get to be a boy, if it’s less than that then you lose your phallus and you’re raised as a girl.
« The choice is made by the parents and the doctors. The child is having their gender designated, imprinted, selected for them. »
He added: « And it just hit me – I think this is about me. »
When Jim looked at his medical records, he found that his chromosomes were XY, which is a male chromosome.
In a horrifying moment, he found that doctors had performed surgery on him as an infant to arbitrarily decide his gender for him.
« I was a healthy baby but then there’s all this other documentation about my genital presentation needed to be altered and so many things needed to be removed, » he said. »Those things were taken out and my genitals were crafted to have a very satisfying, pleasing vulva presentation so I could be safely taken home by my parents. »
Ambrose, originally from Louisiana, spent years as an activist for intersex people, but had to stop as it took a toll on him.
He told The Big Issue: « Depression compounded on depression. I chose self-medicate in a lot of different ways, and that just makes everything worse. I told young activists that if you decide to speak out publicly, specifically about the abuse that you endured and your family endured, it costs you something. Never forget that it costs you something. »
Being born intersex is more common than people may at first think.
Cleveland Clinic states that around 2 percent of people worldwide have ‘intersex traits’, which might be manifested through their external sex characteristics such as genitalia, or in factors such as chromosomes.
This figure means having intersex characteristics has a similar prevalence globally as being born a twin or with red hair, and many intersex children are at risk of surgical intervention.
Advocates for intersex people say that carrying out these surgeries is a form of abuse, and takes away someone’s choice for how they would want to live.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT national hotline at 888-843-4564, available Monday to Friday 4pm-12am ET and 12pm-5pm ET on Saturdays.
The Secrets of Me is available to watch on Channel 4 on demand.
Tyra Banks has reflected on the ‘intensity’ of America’s Next Top Model in a new Netflix documentary.
All of us have seen a clip of supermodel host Tyra Banks shouting at an America’s Next Top Model I (ANTM) contestant, even if it is screaming she’s ‘rooting’ for them. If you haven’t, well done for staying off social media this long.
First premiering in 2003, the show is certainly of its time and reflected the brutal reality of the modeling world. And ever since, it’s faced a divided response from those on it, alongside viewers.
While some contestants have come out the other side arguing ‘the only reason the door was open for’ them into the modeling industry ‘was because of Tyra’, the host has also faced accusations of bullying.
However, new Netflix documentary Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model offers a behind-the-scenes insight into the program alongside reflections from those involved in making it all these years later.
The upcoming three-part documentary series features ‘unprecedented access to former constants, judges and producers’ – including Banks herself, who can be heard in the trailer admitting she ‘knew [she] went too far’.
She added: « It was very very intense, but you guys were demanding it. So we kept pushing. More. And more. And more. »
Indeed, resurfaced clips from the show, which ran from 2003 until 2018, are regularly shared on social media, such as Banks telling a model to cut off most of her long hair.
And many have led to bullying accusations against Banks, one X user alleging: « Tyra Banks purposely ruined young women’s lives on America’s Next Top Model. »
However, within Netflix’s upcoming documentary, a model can be heard saying: « The only reason the door was open for me was because of Tyra. »
Former ANTM judge Jay Manuel claimed: « We were showing the behind-the-scenes of what the fashion world was. I realized Tyra could do anything for the success of her show. »
Others involved in the creation of the show reflected on the huge audience of ‘over 100 million people’.A model reminded how they felt it was ‘a TV show’ to those making it, but it was their ‘life’ which was being impacted.
With comments thrown around such as ‘You’re not thin enough’ and one model undergoing ‘a medical procedure as part of a makeover,’ one producer reflected there was a moment they questioned if they’d ‘built a monster’.
Indeed, Netflix details the documentary as ‘expos[ing] the show’s complicated legacy and asks a provocative question: how far are we willing to go for entertainment?’.
Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model is set for release on Netflix on February 16.
People have been paying tribute to Emman Atienza, a TikTok star and the daughter of TV host Kim Atienza, who has died at the age of 19.
In a statement, Emman’s family took to social media, where they shared the news of her passing.
Posting a collection of photos, the family said: « It’s with deep sadness that we share the unexpected passing of our daughter and sister, Emman.
« She brought so much joy, laughter, and love into our lives and into the lives of everyone who knew her.
« Emman had a way of making people feel seen and heard, and she wasn’t afraid to share her own journey with mental health. Her authenticity helped so many feel less alone. »
They added: « To honor Emman’s memory, we hope you carry forward the qualities she lived by: compassion, courage, and a little extra kindness in your everyday life. »
Following the sad news, people have been writing tributes on some of Emman’s most recent Instagram posts.
In one, Emman could be seen sharing what appear to be holiday photos from just a week ago, with one image showing her standing by a swimming pool, while in another, she is eating ice cream while sitting in a bikini.
In one video, she appears to be rock climbing, while a second video shows her skateboarding.
Another post from around a week ago featured a series of images from Emman’s childhood, including pictures of her and her family.
« This post is dedicated to my childhood and the zoo that raised me, » she wrote in the caption.
Her most recent post – a video montage of memories with her friends – was shared just three days ago.
« This video got restricted on tt, » she wrote. « Does this go hard [sic]. »Followers have been left heartbroken by the posts, and in the comments, one person wrote: « Can’t believe you’re gone. You were always present, silly, fun loving, bubbly and a light to be around. RIP Emman. »
While another said: « This is all just a dream. I will miss you so much. »
And a third added: « She was so pure… I’m so sorry. »Emman was the daughter of Filipino TV presenter and weatherman, Kim and his wife, entrepreneur Felicia Hung. Her grandfather was former Manila mayor Lito Atienza.
Medical records from Los Angeles County say Emman died at an LA home on Wednesday, October 23.
She had moved to the city in August, reports the GMA Network.
A man spent 38 years behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit.
Diane Sidall, then 21, was raped and murdered in 1986. The murder happened when Sindall was walking through Birkenhead, UK, in the early hours of August 2 1986.
A year later, Peter Sullivan blamed for her killing and sentenced to a minimum term of 16 years before he was eligible to apply for parole. He was just 30 years old at the time.
But Sullivan always maintained his innocence and has worked with his lawyer Sarah Myatt for more than 20 years in a bid to clear his name.
While many people would have given up hope have so many years behind bars, Sullivan and Myatt never did. Then, last year crucial DNA evidence was finally unearthed due to scientific advances showing that it was another unknown man.
Peter Sullivan was convicted of Diane Sidall’s murder in 1987 (Merseyside Police)
Peter Sullivan was convicted of Diane Sidall’s murder in 1987 (Merseyside Police)
In May 2025, it was announced that Sullivan was to be set free.
Speaking to the BBC, he recalled the moment he got the news he’d been waiting almost 40 years for. Sullivan was listening via video-link from HMP Wakefield when the appeal judgement was given.
« When they came back in with the verdict that my case had been quashed, [the probation officer] burst into tears first, » he said. « She turned around and said, ‘Peter, you’re going home’. »
Sullivan went on: « Next minute, bang, all the tears started running down my face and that was it, I went, ‘yes, justice has been done’. »
Also recalling the moment he was driven out of prison, Sullivan shared: « I was watching the cars go by, and I’ve never seen so many different cars in my life on that road. It was daunting just seeing them all changed and everything. »
Sullivan is now demanding an apology for his wrongful conviction. »I can’t forgive them for what they’ve done to me because it’s going to be there with me for the rest of my life, » the 68-year-old said. « I’ve got to carry that burden until I can get an apology on what happened from everyone else who’s been involved with the case. »
He continued: « That’s all I want is an apology with the reason why they done this to me … from Merseyside police and everyone else – I lost all my freedom, I lost my mother, since I was put in prison, I’ve lost my father, and it hurts because I wasn’t there for them. »
Both Sullivan’s parents passed while he was in prison. He also claimed that he was denied permission to attend his mom’s funeral in 2013 because she was buried at the same cemetery as Sidall.
In a statement to the BBC, Merseyside Police said that while it ‘regretted’ that a ‘grave miscarriage of justice’ had occurred, it maintained that their officers had acted in accordance with the law at the time.
A 21-year-old college student died after collapsing during a half marathon in Erie, Pennsylvania, last weekend.
Toby Atwood was double-majoring in business administration and accounting at Thiel College, while she also represented the educational institution at sports level.
She was the number one singles player on Thiel’s tennis team and shared captaining duties alongside another player.
A press release from the college states: « She served as president of Thiel College’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and was elected president of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference SAAC in 2024.
« She received the College’s Tomcat Award last year for excellence in athletics, academics, and leadership. »
Vice President for Student Life and Athletics at the college, Michael McKinney, paid tribute to Toby after her tragic passing on Sunday (July 20).
He said: « Her presence touched the lives of so many, and she will be deeply missed. During this heartbreaking time, we mourn for Toby and extend our heartfelt sympathy to her family, friends, classmates, teammates, coach, instructors, and all who knew her.”CBS News reported earlier this week that Toby’s cause of death is unknown, while the college says it is providing counselling services for staff and students who require them.
Memorial services have taken place for Toby at the college this week, and the funeral is set to take place on Saturday (July 26).
The fraternity offers a look at what Toby was like as a person and some of the lives she touched.
It reads: « Toby was a light in everyone’s life. There was never a dull moment with her and she was always there for the people she loved when they needed it. Toby truly left her mark while she was with us. »She was seen as a leader, role model and mentor. She was strong, resilient, and never afraid to speak her mind. There will forever be a hole in our hearts and our chapter without her. She has touched the lives of so many. »
A GoFundMe has been set up in Toby’s memory, with over $30,000 raised so far.
The fundraiser stated she ‘gave so much of herself to others’ and that her memory will continue to live on for the ‘countless lives she touched’.
The GoFundMe page added: « We will carry Toby’s spirit forward with us, always remembering the joy she brought and the strength she embodied.
« Please feel free to donate and help in any way possible, funds will go towards funeral arrangements and memorial.
« Rest in peace, Tobs. Your light will never fade. »
