The Transgender Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z MISCELLANEOUS

Intersex

Introduction

Intersex is an umbrella term reffering to variations in sexual characteristics that fall outside of what is typically considered "male" or "female."

There is a massive range of intersex conditions including but not limited to hormonal, internal, external, and physical variations.

Common Questions

Are intersex people transgender?
Not inherently. Some intersex people identify as being transgender, some don't. Many intersex people have a complex relationship with gender, and what they identify as will vary depending on the person.

Are intersex people non-binary?
Same as with being transgender - not inherently. Some intersex people identify as being non-binary. Some don't. Many intersex people have a complex relationship with gender, and what they will identify as will vary depending on the person.

Are intersex people/animals "biologically non-binary?"
No, and you sound stupid for saying that. Intersex variations ≠ human non-binary gender identity.

Can you transition to become intersex?
No. If you are not intersex, you cannot become intersex. A more appropriate term that you may be looking for is "altersex" or "salmacian".

Do all intersex people have mixed/ambiguous genitalia?
No. Intersex conditions are widely varied; they do not all present as distinct genital differences.

Do intersex people go on HRT?
It depends on the person.

Medical Experiences

It is not uncommon for intersex infants to undergo surgeries or hormonal treatments to appear as though they are not intersex. These procedures are often unnecessary, harmful, and overall traumatizing.

Due to the general desire of doctors to hide 'less noticable' intersex conditions or alter babies with 'more noticable' intersex conditions; many intersex people grow up not even realizing that they are intersex. Some don't find out until adulthood, and others never find out. Some intersex conditions don't present themselves in a noticable way until puberty or adulthood.

It can be hard to determing how many people are, in fact, intersex; due to underdiagnosis and medical abuse.

Glossary

Note that some additional terms can be find in the primary definition tabs of The Transgender Dictionary.

Additional Resources

American Progress - Key Issues Facing People With Intersex Traits
bogireadstheworld - intersex in our own voices books
Davis, G. (2015). Contesting intersex: The dubious diagnosis (Vol. 10). NYU Press.
Holmes, M. (Ed.). (2016). Critical intersex. Routledge.
Horlacher, S. (2016). Transgender and intersex: Theoretical, practical, and artistic perspectives (pp. 1-27). Palgrave Macmillan US.
InterACT - Advocates for Intersex Youth
Intersex Human Rights Australia
Intersex Society of North America
Lock Swarr, A. (2023). Envisioning African Intersex: Challenging Colonial and Racist Legacies in South African Medicine (p. 245). Duke University Press.
Orr, C. E. (2022). Cripping Intersex. UBC Press.
Reis, E. (2021). Bodies in doubt: An American history of intersex. JHU Press.
The Trevor Project - The Mental Health and Well-being of LGBTQ Youth who are Intersex
tumblr - intersexfairy - Intersex Terminology Masterpost
tumblr - intersex-support - FAQ
tumblr - ipso-faculty - Intersex Resources List
Wikipedia - Disorders of Sex Development
Wikipedia - Intersex
YouTube Video - Intersex explained (Part 1) [+CC Español, Türkçe]