Cheryl Chase, executive director of the Intersex Society of North America, will speak in the Minnesota Room of the MSU Union Thursday.

The event, an effort to raise funds and awareness for the society, begins at 7:30 p.m.

“The main issue of concern is trying to get past the point where intersex is treated as a shameful issue,” said a Lyman Briggs professor Alice Dreger. “This isn’t an issue of shame - it’s just a matter of being born different.”

A person is intersexual when they are born with what the society calls “mixed sexual anatomy.”

Problems arise when doctors try to correct the phenomenon, said Dreger.

She said corrective surgeries, which often result in female anatomy being created, can endanger fertility and even health. Many times people given female anatomy can acquire a male gender-identity, she said.

“The doctor’s goals are admirable - they’re trying to raise happy healthy patients,” she said. “What we’re trying to show is that system doesn’t work for them.”

Dreger serves as chairwoman of the Board of Directors for the society.

She said Chase’s visit comes at a good time. The group, based in Ann Arbor, is moving to Petaluma, Calif. at the end of this week.

“This is sort of our last opportunity to bring her to this community,” Dreger said.

Chase is known nationwide as an expert on intersex issues. She has been featured on the Discovery Channel, the Fox News channel, “Dateline NBC,” and will be appearing shortly on ABC News’ “20/20”.

Dr. Aron Sousa, a professor in the Department of Medicine and a member of the society, said attending the event is worthwhile.

“Cheryl Chase is a fascinating and brilliant scholar,” he said. “ISNA’s on the frontier of changing the way the medical community treats intersexuals.”