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Buzz Feed
4 days ago
- Health
- Buzz Feed
This Former Mrs. America Went Viral Sharing What It Means To Be Intersex
Up to 1.7% of the population is born into an intersex body — meaning, they are born with sex characteristics that don't fit neatly into typical definitions of male or female bodies. Despite this, intersex people are often left out of conversations, or worse, forced into surgeries performed without medical necessity or consent, often as children, to mold their bodies into binary ideas of sex and gender. Such was the case for Jackie Blankenship, a 40-year-old radio personality from Michigan — and former Mrs. America — who spent much of her life feeling like she had to keep a part of herself hidden. Jackie's parents learned she had complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS), a condition where the body can't respond to androgens, or male sex hormones, when she was 4 years old. At 15, she had her testes surgically removed. At 18, she learned she didn't have a fully formed vagina and would need to undergo dilation therapy if she ever wanted to be sexually active. Still, Jackie says she didn't fully understand what was happening to her body until well into adulthood. "It has been a long road to say the least," she told BuzzFeed. "Intersex people often don't even know they are intersex until puberty, some even later. I was diagnosed at 4 years old but really only had a vague understanding of what this meant about me and my body until I was in my mid-20s." Today, Jackie uses TikTok to share her story and raise awareness about intersex, hoping to help others better understand what it means to be intersex and why representation matters. In one viral video that's now been viewed over 9 million times, Jackie shared one fact about her intersex body for every mile she ran, sparking a powerful and educational conversation around an identity that's far too misunderstood. "I hated this part of me for a long time, that hatred turned more into fear as I got older. I was afraid of people finding out or not thinking I was a girl or woman," she told BuzzFeed. But turning 40 in May marked a shift, she said. "I felt like I had kept so much of myself a secret. I carried a LOT of senseless shame and secrecy regarding this and so decided talking about it to my circle wasn't enough, I needed to start talking about it out loud and tell my story." Here's everything she shared: "Mile one, 9:08. Fact number one: I have complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, which is an intersex condition. I have XY chromosomes. We typically see XY in males, but when you have CAIS, you have XY chromosomes, too." "Mile two, 8:52. Fact number two: People with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome have external female genitalia. We have full breast development, and on the outside, we look completely female, even though — going back to fact one — we have XY chromosomes." "Mile three, 8:45. I'm not trying to pick it up; I probably should slow down. Fact number three: While I do have external female genitalia and breast development, I do not have a vagina. Yeah, so see, we have a urethra; we have the whole outer exterior, but our vaginal opening leads to what they call a blind pouch, meaning it goes nowhere. I don't have a cervix or anything inside, so dilation therapy is required if you wanna create that kind of vagina." "Mile four, 8:39 — I have no business going this fast. Fact four: I was born with testicles, yes. Now, here's the thing. Like a male, my testes produce testosterone. But my body can't process testosterone cause I have complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, so that testosterone was converted into estrogen, and that's what made me develop female. Now, due to the lack of testosterone, the testes were never gonna drop. They wouldn't be like a sack; they would just remain in my abdomen." "Mile five, 8:26, and I'm not trying to go faster every mile. I just apparently am. Fact five: I don't have a period. I've never had a period. I was born without ovaries, or uterus, or cervix, or fallopian tubes, or any of that, so I don't have periods. So frankly, I know nothing about them and I don't understand them." "Mile six, 8:09. I swear I'm probably gonna crash and burn these last few miles. Anyway, next fact: I don't create any body odor, and I don't grow any body hair because my body can't respond to testosterone. So, I don't get BO. I don't have pubes, and I don't have underarm hair. I've never shaved my underarms a day in my life." "[Mile] seven, 7:56. I'm crazy today. Okay, another fact about me: I'm completely infertile. All people with CAIS are infertile. We don't have ovaries and our testes do not produce anything that could create life, so we can't have biological children." "Mile eight, 8:28. Slowing down a little bit. So, our next fact: Women with CAIS are typically pretty tall. So, I'm only 5'6", which isn't super tall, but my mom's only 4'10"; my sister's only 5'2", so I'm tall considering the family." "Mile nine, 8:05, and I'm spent. And my last fact: Intersex people like me are operated on every day, especially children, babies, and teens, minors, and they don't really need it most of the time. A lot of times, because people don't understand a body that doesn't fit the mould, they're trying to change it and fix it. But what if we're not broken?" The response to her video was overwhelmingly supportive. Thousands of commenters thanked Jackie for opening up. One person wrote, "I just looked up the statistics -- 1.7% of humans are born intersex. That's a lot of humans. and yet, this is rarely talked about! Thank you for making this video and educating is Tiktokers!" Another said, "I have red hair and blue eyes. The fact that there are 10x as many intersex people in the world as people like me has always been one of the reasons why I stand up for intersex and trans rights. No one has ever looked at me and told me I'm not real. Much love to you." And yes — plenty of people were a little jealous of Jackie's side effects. "NO body odor, NO body hair, NO period???" one person said, echoing dozens of similar comments. Of course, normalizing intersex is what we should all be doing, but for Jackie, being intersex has not felt like a "superpower" as she never got a choice to live in any other body. "Do the side effects of this condition sound like nothing but good? Yeah, of course," she said in another video. "... But, like honestly, I would take being a, you know, a fertile woman with body odor and hair that I had to shave, and a period over the fact of having to do dilation therapy just to be intimate with my husband." Jackie's story is just one of many. Intersex bodies are far more common than people realize, with over 30 known variations. "The common misconception is that 'intersex' is visible," Jackie told BuzzFeed. "People think if you have an intersex variation, you'll be able to see it, but in many cases, being intersex is something that may affect your internal reproductive system, your hormones, or your chromosomes, all things you can't see with the naked eye." And despite being a naturally occurring variation, in many cases, doctors perform surgeries on intersex babies or children, like the removal of Jackie's testes at age 15, to make their bodies conform to binary ideas of "female" or "male." Intersex babies are also legally assigned a sex at birth, even if their bodies don't fully align with those categories. For Jackie, she said one of the hardest parts of being intersex is navigating the medical system. In some of her videos, she shares experiences of going to the doctor and being asked the same questions repeatedly, like when her last period was, and having to explain her condition over and over to her providers. "I wish doctors had more information about intersex conditions. Often, most medical providers have never met a person with my variation and have little to no answers about my body," she told BuzzFeed. "I am normally stuck providing information to them instead of them answering questions for me. It starts at the beginning, though — recognizing intersex people in health class and basic education, so as we get older, it's not such a foreign concept." Jackie's story is a reminder that bodies don't always fit neatly into boxes, and that's not something to fix. It's something to understand. "I've stopped caring what others may think or what political agenda they want to tie to my biology. I'm not as rare as people may think," Jackie said. "And if me talking about it can help another intersex teen or young adult, then it's all worth it." You can keep up with Jackie on TikTok, where she shares videos to help people better understand intersex conditions. She also hosts a podcast called The Unedited Body on Apple and Spotify, where she dives deeper into what it has meant to be intersex.
Newsweek
20-07-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Woman Shares 9 Facts About Her Intersex Body, No Longer Feels 'Shameful'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An intersex woman who grew up feeling like she had to lie about herself is finally learning to embrace who she is and what makes her body different. When Jackie Blankenship was 4 years old, she was diagnosed with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, meaning she's intersex. It was a lifechanging diagnosis, but at the time, Blankenship had no idea what it meant. Her parents broached the subject when she was around 8 or 9 years old. Blankenship told Newsweek that they gave her some basic information they thought she would be able to process, but it was still incredibly hard to understand. "My mom has relatives with CAIS, so she asked the doctor to test me just in case. The results came back that their little girl had XY chromosomes, which is what we see in males," Blankenship said. "When I was 15, doctors advised my parents to have my testes (that were in my abdomen) removed. That was probably when I started having questions about my body, but I wasn't emotionally ready to talk about it." Jackie Blankenship, 40, attending a pageant event. Jackie Blankenship, 40, attending a pageant event. @mrsjackieblanks / TikTok Indeed, it wasn't until Blankenship, of Grandville, Michigan, reached her mid-twenties that she finally started to realize that her body was different. By that time, there was a world of information at her fingertips with the likes of Google taking off, and it was a way for her to become knowledgeable without having to ask doctors personally. Intersex refers to people who have genitals, chromosomes, or reproductive organs that don't fit into a binary definition of male or female. There are approximately 40 different ways that being intersex can present itself, with the most common types including a combination of chromosomes or having mixed genitals and sex organs. The Intersex Society of North America explains that it can be difficult to quantify the number of intersex cases because there is so much ambiguity. But it's estimated that androgen insensitivity syndrome occurs in one in every 130,000 births. While Blankenship was born with external genitalia, she has no internal reproductive organs. She had her testes surgically removed, but she didn't understand what was going on. In her young naivete, she thought she was having a hysterectomy. When she turned 18, she underwent dilation therapy to extend the vaginal canal, which was "definitely not a fun experience." But the impact of being intersex was more mental than physical. Her body seemed different to the girls around her, and from a young age she was encouraged not to speak about it. Living in silence and having to lie about who she is was a massive burden. Jackie Blankenship at a pageant event where she was competing. Jackie Blankenship at a pageant event where she was competing. @mrsjackieblanks / TikTok "I felt like I was more childish than my peers," Blankenship said. "My condition leaves me unable to grow body hair, and I never menstruate due to lack of ovaries or a uterus. So, as my friends went through those changes, I stayed the same on the outside with my height and breast development. I felt like there was a secret that I wasn't let in on." Despite knowing she couldn't menstruate, Blankenship recalls frequently taking a tampon or sanitary pad out of her mom's bathroom just so she could be like her friends. For so many years, she was filled with "shame and secrecy," and she felt embarrassed about her anatomy. Being told by doctors that she shouldn't tell anyone about it only added to that. Pageants were a big part of Blankenship's life during her twenties, but she never felt like she could speak openly about being intersex out of fear they wouldn't let her compete. She didn't want to be considered less of a woman, and there was (and still is) so much judgment. Over the years, Blankenship has done therapy, endless research, and even tried to find other people like her. But after getting married, becoming a mom (through a gestational carrier) and turning 40, she decided it was finally time to speak publicly and create a platform for acceptance. Jackie Blankenship pictured with her husband and daughter. Jackie Blankenship pictured with her husband and daughter. @mrsjackieblanks / TikTok Blankenship began sharing her experiences on TikTok (@mrsjackieblanks) in which she discusses being intersex. Many of her videos have gone viral with millions of views, including one which revealed nine facts about her that people might not have known. She no longer wants it to be an embarrassing secret—she wants to use her voice to advocate. Blankenship told Newsweek: "I feel like I am reclaiming my body by sharing what I thought was so shameful about myself. I turned 40 and felt like I still was a little girl. I've had experiences that I know are not uncommon in the intersex community but are never talked about. So, I decided I needed to share my whole self and heal this kiddo still inside me." Blankenship is still working on healing and embracing who she is, but she refuses to conceal it or lie. There are many misconceptions about those who are intersex. By using her social media platform to educate and speak positively, Blankenship hopes to tackle the stigma and misinformation. "The biggest misconception is that we are disordered and need fixing, when in fact more often than not, our bodies are functioning fine as they are. The fixing stems from doctors trying to normalize us into neat 'male' or 'female' boxes," she said. Is there a health issue you'd like to understand? Let us know via health@ We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
South China Morning Post
09-07-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
CAIS Celebrates Outstanding 2025 IB Results: Two Students Achieve Perfect Scores
[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] Departing Head of School, Richard Vanderpyl remarks, 'The IB Diploma Programme at CAIS, now in its third year, has already proven to be a strong and successful academic pathway. Achieving two perfect scores so early in the programme's history highlights its strength and the dedication of both students and faculty.' He congratulates CAIS students Tinkie and Ian, saying, 'These two outstanding students have not only excelled academically but have also made significant contributions to the school and wider community through their active participation in various extracurricular and service initiatives.' Tinkie Chan delivers her IB Valedictorian speech at the CAIS Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony As the school's Class of 2025 IB Valedictorian, Tinkie expresses gratitude to teachers in her graduation speech, 'Even though it wasn't all smooth sailing in the IB, our cohort has been blessed with truly exceptional teachers who helped us not only to thrive to survive, but to thrive amid the rigours of the IB Programme—so from the bottom of our hearts, thank you teachers for pushing us to reach our full potential and for leading each and every one of us to the finish line.'With their outstanding academic results and graduate profiles, CAIS students have gained recognition from universities worldwide. This year's graduates have received offers from distinguished institutions including the University of Toronto, McGill University, The University of British Columbia, King's College London, University of Bristol, University of California San Diego, The University of Hong Kong, and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, among others. Acting Head of School, Daniel Schick, says, 'We are extremely proud of all of our graduates, and delighted to see our strongest academic results ever this year. Our students are to be highly commended for their exemplary diligence and excellence, not only in their academic achievement but also in their wider contributions to our school.' He adds, 'They represent both the CAIS graduate profile as well as the IB learner profile through their relentless pursuit of knowledge and growth, balanced with values such as compassion and service to the community." Tinkie has been accepted to top universities in Hong Kong to pursue a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. She says, 'I would like to specialize in neurosurgery in the future but as a medical student I'm still excited to explore different specialties and broaden my horizon before making a final decision.' She is aware that surgery is a difficult and arduous specialty to get in but aspires to achieve her goal. Meanwhile, Ian also shared his future plans, saying, 'I'm considering the options of studying in Hong Kong or Australia for my university of choice; currently I'm still waiting on offers from admissions interviews, but I'm leaning towards staying in Hong Kong to pursue medicine.' Established in 2017 at its current site at Butterfly Valley, CAIS is uniquely positioned as it offers three education pathways for students, including the Alberta (Canada) curriculum, IB Diploma Programme, and Advanced Placement courses. Together, these options provide a robust and diverse range of opportunities to meet the needs of students.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CAIS Adds First Models from BlackRock, Carlyle, KKR and Franklin Templeton
You can find original article here Wealthmanagement. Subscribe to our free daily Wealthmanagement newsletter. Alternative investment platform CAIS unveiled the first investment models to be added to its recently launched CAIS Models Marketplace. The new line-up includes multi-asset model portfolios, three each from BlackRock, Carlyle and KKR, and one multi-asset, multi-manager model from Franklin Templeton. The announcement comes amid a boom in model portfolio adoption across the RIA universe. As financial advisors increasingly look for model portfolios with private market exposure, both asset managers and various investment platforms are rushing to meet the demand. For example, last week, wealth management platform Envestnet revealed it was adding models with private market exposure options from Fidelity, BlackRock, Franklin Templeton and State Street Global Advisors. Last year, alternative investment platform iCapital launched its first model portfolio, with access to private equity, private credit and real assets. BlackRock's models will combine exposure to public and private markets with allocations to public equities, public debt, private equity and private credit through select BlackRock investment vehicles. The assets in the model will run across the risk spectrum. Carlyle's models will target private equity and private credit, focusing on enhanced returns, supplemental income and capital preservation. KKR's models will allocate to private equity, private credit, private real estate and private infrastructure. They will also focus on generating income, enhanced returns and capital preservation. Franklin Templeton's model will invest in private markets, including private credit, private real estate, infrastructure, secondaries, co-investments and asset-backed finance. These investment options will be accessed through Alternatives by Franklin Templeton and select third-party partners. 'Alternative investment models give advisors a powerful tool to deliver more personalized portfolios, while helping to streamline operational complexity and scale allocations,' said Neil Blundell, chief investment officer at CAIS Advisors and head of investments at CAIS, in a statement. 'By packaging multiple alternative investment strategies into a single, professionally designed solution, advisors can focus more on their clients and less on manager selection.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
CAIS Expands Platform Execution Capabilities for Ticker-Traded Alternative Investment Funds
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CAIS, the leading alternative investment platform for independent financial advisors, today announced the launch of its new execution capability for ticker-traded alternative investment funds. This enhanced feature enables advisors to facilitate the execution of both ticker-traded interval funds and subscription-based funds on the CAIS platform, providing advisors with a unified experience for all their alternatives. Ticker-traded interval funds represent an opportunity for advisors to gain broader access to alternative investments. However, execution and ongoing oversight of these products continue to pose unique challenges for some advisors versus traditional ETFs and mutual funds. The unique workflow challenges of ticker-traded alternative investment funds can include liquidity management, redemption windows, and complex operational nuances, and require infrastructure built specifically to manage alternative investment workflows. Advisors can now facilitate the execution of ticker-traded interval funds through the CAIS platform alongside their subscription-based alternative investment funds, reducing operational complexity and empowering advisors to trade and manage their entire alternatives portfolio in one place. This capability also enables single-click model allocations on the CAIS Model Marketplace across all structure types, including private funds, registered funds, and ticker-traded products. Advisors can now implement diversified alternative portfolios at scale, driving greater efficiency and enhancing client conversations. 'This launch reflects our continued commitment to delivering the technology advisors need to efficiently manage all their alternatives on one platform,' said Kan Kotecha, Chief Technology Officer, CAIS. 'Being able to allocate to ticker-traded interval funds alongside subscription-based alternative investments enables advisors to provide expanded services for their clients." The CAIS Marketplace continues to expand its offering of interval funds. The newly integrated ticker-traded functionality sits alongside CAIS' automated subscription workflows and reporting tools, ensuring that advisors, home offices, and their clients have a consistent experience across both semi-liquid and private alts. 'Being able to access and transact across alts in one place, regardless of structure or strategy, is incredibly valuable in enabling us to scale our allocations across clients,' said Alexis Miller, Director of Investment Research, Bleakley Financial Group LLC. 'CAIS' new functionality streamlines our workflow, enabling us to focus on portfolio construction and client outcomes.' To learn more about how CAIS supports the end-to-end alternative investment experience, visit: This functionality will be featured in the Tech Lab at the CAIS Alternative Investment Summit, the marquee gathering of independent advisors and alts managers in Beverly Hills October 13-16, 2025. For more information on CAIS events and to learn how to register to attend, please visit About CAIS CAIS is the leading alternative investment platform for independent financial advisors. The CAIS platform powers the pre-trade, trade, and post-trade lifecycle of alternative investments and capital market strategies providing financial advisors and alternative asset managers with a single operating system for scale and efficiency. CAIS serves over 2,000 wealth management firms that support more than 50,000 financial advisors who oversee approximately $6.5 trillion in end-client assets. Founded in 2009, CAIS is headquartered in New York City with offices in Austin, TX; London; and Red Bank, NJ. CAIS continues to be recognized for its innovation and leadership including awards for Alternative Investment Firm of the Year by Wealth Solutions Report, WealthTech100 List by Fintech Global, Great Places to Work by Fortune, Best RIA Platform by SPi, Best Alternative Investments Solution by Finovate, and many others. For more information about CAIS, please visit The information contained herein is provided for informational and discussion purposes only. Bleakley does not represent this third-party information as its own. The information as set forth herein should not be construed or interpreted as Bleakley Financial Group, LLC's ('Bleakley') guarantee of any particular investment outcome or a guarantee of future investment returns or results. Investment advisory and financial planning services offered through Bleakley Financial Group LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser.
