There are about thirty known intersex conditions, otherwise referred to as differences of sex development. Here are some examples of such conditions:
- Hormonal imbalance - when an individual’s body produces more of a hormone that doesn’t match their sex assigned at birth;
- XXY or XO chromosome patterns (instead of XX or XY);
- Ambiguous genitalia - when a person’s genitals are incompletely developed or have characteristics of both male and female sexes.
The basics
The term "intersex" derives from the Latin prefix inter- ("between") and "sexus" ("a state of being either male or female, gender"). Some people confuse "intersex" with "transgender". The difference between these terms is that someone who is transgender has a gender that is different from the sex they were assigned at birth while an intersex person was born with a variation in their sexual characteristics or developed it in puberty.
Some intersex individuals who have gender identities that are different from their sex assigned at birth do feel part of the trans community. In fact, some intersex people, just like transgender people, choose to use hormone therapy and/or undergo surgeries to transition to the sex they identify with; some others don’t. Speaking of surgeries, sex reassignment surgeries on intersex children or even adults without their knowledge and/or consent have been a big ethical issue.
Christiane Völling is an apt example of an intersex individual who was subjected to sex reassignment surgery without full knowledge and consent. She was born in 1959 with XX chromosomes, associated with being female, but her sex assigned at birth was male. She was raised as male, too. At age 14, Christiane was found to have a set of female reproductive organs. When she turned 18, doctors removed those organs. In 2008, the Regional Court of Cologne awarded her €100,000 compensation for non-consensual sex reassignment.
Interesting facts
Scientists have been studying the phenomenon of Las Salinas village in the Dominican Republic for decades. Many boys are born looking like girls there. Their penis grows only during puberty. Such girls that later turn into boys are called "guevedoces", which can be translated as "testicles at twelve". Dr. Julianne Imperato-McGinley discovered why these children don't have male genitalia when they are born - they have a 5-alpha-reductase deficiency (5-alpha-reductase is an enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, a male sex hormone made from testosterone).
Similar cases have been also found in Papua New Guinea.
Hanne Gaby Odiele, a famous Belgian model, was born with an intersex condition and found out she was intersex when she was 17. Hanne and many other people like her were taught to be ashamed of their identity, so it took her a long time to accept herself. She came out as intersex at age 28. Now, Odele is an intersex activist.
Flag and symbol
The intersex flag was created in July 2013 by the Australian intersex activist, researcher, and a member of the organization Intersex Human Rights Australia, Morgan Carpenter. The flag consists of a yellow (golden) field with a purple circle on it. These colors avoid referencing gender stereotypes. The circle symbolizes intersex individuals’ wholeness, completeness, and potentialities.
The most common intersex symbol:
An alternate intersex symbol:
Sexual orientation and intersex
Sexual orientation refers to an individual’s physical/romantic/emotional attraction towards other people. Sexual orientation is not the same as gender identity. Gender identity is a deeply felt sense of one’s gender. Intersex people experience the same range of sexual orientations as people of other gender identities - they can be straight, homosexual, bisexual, etc.
What pronouns should be used?
Coming out as intersex
One of the biggest benefits of coming out is the end of the stress of hiding your identity and the ability to finally start living your life openly. As for risks, these are the following: facing people’s negative reactions, rejection, exclusion, and other negative consequences.
Know that your coming-out story is going to be unique and different from anyone else’s. And always remember that coming out and sharing your story with others is a choice.
If and when you decide that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and you feel like you’re ready to come out as intersex, here are some tips for you:
- You do not have to rush - take your time to think who to come out to first, what and how exactly you want to say;
- There are lots of different ways to come out - if you do not feel too comfortable telling people in person you can send them a text, call them on the phone, write them a letter;
- Be prepared for a wide range of reactions people may have - from very positive ones to extremely negative ones;
- Finding other intersex people or joining an intersex community during your coming out process can be a good support system.
How can someone support their intersex coworkers, relatives, or friends?
Discrimination against others based on their bodily characteristics or gender identity is nothing but a violation of human rights. Yet, a large number of intersex people still face bullying and ridicule. Many cases of infanticide and child abandonment due to intersex children’s sex characteristics have been reported in Kenya, Uganda, China, Pakistan, and other countries.
Luckily, the tide is turning, and some progress has already been made in the field of protection from discrimination for intersex people. South Africa and Australia were the first countries to add intersex status to legislation. Malta was the first country that make sex reassignment surgeries on minors for social and cultural reasons illegal. Several European counties have prohibited discrimination based on intersex characteristics.
Intersex Awareness Day is celebrated each October 26th, and Intersex Solidarity Day, each November 8th. These civil awareness days are designed to highlight issues faced by intersex people and put an end to harmful medical practices and violence on intersex children and adults.
But there’s still a long way to go. And even one person can make a lasting impact in the world. So take action today! Here’s how you can support your intersex family, friends, coworkers:
- Listen to them with an open heart, be understanding, empathetic, and supportive when they decide to come out;
- Speak up against the use of anti-intersex slurs and offensive jokes;
- Keep learning about, reading, and discussing intersex issues;
- Remember that little things (be it a small donation to an LGBTQIA+ organization, accompanying a friend to an intersex event, or hanging the intersex flag on a wall of your house) can make a big difference.