The Secret of Me: Intersex Man Exposes Medical Secrecy

The Secret of Me: An Intersex Man’s Fight for Truth

In a deeply personal and revealing documentary, Jim Ambrose shares his lifelong journey after discovering he was born intersex—a fact kept secret from him by his parents and the medical professionals who performed irreversible surgeries on him as an infant.

A Hidden Identity and Lingering Trauma

Jim Ambrose was born in 1976 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with intersex traits. His parents and doctors chose to conceal this from him, subjecting him to multiple procedures, including the removal of his testes shortly after birth. These surgeries, Ambrose argues, amount to "genital mutilation" and "unconscious child abuse."

"That’s what happens when you wound children in a unique and specific way," Ambrose reflects. "They stop having a relationship with that part of their body that they understand does not belong to them. It belongs to the surgeon or belongs to the parents."

For decades, Ambrose was raised as a girl, taking oestrogen from age 11 to induce female characteristics. He kept this secret, burdened by shame and confusion about his body. The lack of consent and information about his own biology has left him grappling with profound trauma.

The Secret of Me: A Channel 4 Documentary

Channel 4’s upcoming documentary, The Secret of Me, directed by Grace Hughes-Hallett of Three Identical Strangers fame, chronicles Ambrose’s life, from his childhood disconnection from his body to his eventual discovery of his intersex identity and his fight for recognition and justice.

Ambrose, now in his late 40s, had largely stepped back from public life but agreed to revisit his story because of Hughes-Hallett’s call. The film aims to shed light on the systemic practices that still affect intersex individuals worldwide, including non-consensual "corrective" surgeries on babies.

A Global Issue, a Personal Battle

Approximately one in 2,000 babies is born with genital differences that can lead to surgical intervention. Despite growing awareness, many countries, including the UK, lack clear laws prohibiting such surgeries on intersex infants. The documentary underscores the urgent need for legal protections and ethical medical practices.

In the UK, intersex individuals are not explicitly included in the 2010 Equality Act, and recent legal rulings, such as the Supreme Court decision in April 2025 defining sex as "biological" only, further marginalize intersex people. This ruling could limit access to single-sex spaces and services for those like Ambrose, who identify as the opposite sex to their assigned birth gender.

Advocacy and Awareness

Through his story, Ambrose hopes to empower others in the intersex community, offering them a sense of solidarity and validation. His activism has been pivotal in raising awareness about the rights and dignity of intersex individuals.

"I still live with the trauma," Ambrose admits. "But by sharing my story, I hope others will feel less alone, especially since similar practices are still happening today."

Looking Ahead

The release of The Secret of Me is not just a personal milestone for Ambrose but a call to action for systemic change. It challenges society and medical institutions to reconsider the ethical implications of surgeries performed on children without their consent.

As the intersex rights movement gains momentum, stories like Ambrose’s are crucial in driving dialogue, legal reforms, and compassionate medical care. His courage in exposing his secret is a testament to the power of truth and the pursuit of justice.

For those seeking to understand or support the intersex community, The Secret of Me is a must-watch, offering a raw and unflinching look at the intersections of identity, trauma, and resilience.