Christiane Völling

Christiane Völling is a notable figure in the history of transgender rights and medical ethics, particularly within the context of Germany. Her case marked a significant moment in the legal recognition of the rights of intersex and transgender individuals, leading to a landmark ruling in the German courts.

Background

Christiane Völling was born with Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS), a condition where a person who is genetically male (with XY chromosomes) is resistant to male hormones (androgens). As a result, the person has some or all of the physical traits of a woman, but the genetic makeup of a man. Völling was raised as a female and underwent surgery in 1977, which she was led to believe was necessary to remove what was described to her as potentially cancerous ovaries. However, the surgery resulted in the removal of her intact internal testes, effectively sterilizing her and removing her ability to produce hormones, thereby necessitating lifelong hormone replacement therapy.

Legal Case

Years after her surgery, Völling discovered the true nature of her operation and the fact that she had been intersex. Feeling that she had been wronged and that her consent for the surgery was based on misinformation, Völling sued her surgeon for damages. In 2007, the Cologne District Court ruled in her favor, marking the first time in German legal history that a doctor was held liable for conducting sex assignment surgery without the patient's informed consent. The court awarded Völling damages for the non-consensual sterilization and the subsequent physical and emotional suffering.

Impact

The case of Christiane Völling has had a profound impact on the medical and legal treatment of intersex and transgender individuals. It highlighted the importance of informed consent in medical procedures, especially those involving sex and gender identity. The ruling set a precedent in German law and has been cited in discussions about the rights of intersex and transgender people around the world.

See Also

• Intersex rights in Germany
• Transgender rights
• Medical ethics
• Informed consent