Intersex - Kainéduaction #1

Hi everyone! In this blog, I want to talk about what intersex really means and clear up some common misconception around it.

The reason I‘m writing this is because I am intersex myself (Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome), and I‘ve noticed that alot of people either don‘t know much about intersex, or they‘ve heard things that aren‘t fully true. So let‘s break it down!!

I. What is Intersex?

Intersex is an umbrella term for people born with sex characteristics that don‘t fit the typical definitions of male or female. This can mean differences in things like: Genitalia, Chromosomes, Hormones or Internal reproductive organs.

Intersex is not exactly a third sex, it is rather its own thing completely. Intersex is also not something you can choose to be, it‘s something you are born as.

II. Types of Intersex

There are many different intersex variations, these are just some examples:

-Ambiguous or atypical genitalia

-Chromosomes differences (for example not XX or XY)

-Hormonal variations

-Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS)

(and many more!!)

III. Is intersex part of LGBTQ?

Yes and no.

Intersex itself is not a queer identity. It‘s a biological variation. However, intersex people are often included in LGBTQ+ spaces because they face similar discrimination and stigma.

That being said, being intersex doesn‘t make someone automatically queer. An intersex person can be straight, cisgender and not identify or even not associate with the queer community. — or they might. It depends on the person

VI. Common Misconceptions

„Intersex have both parts“

Rarely. Some intersex people do, but most do not. Intersex variations are diverse, and not always related to genitalia. And biologically, it‘s impossible for both sets of reproductive organs to be fully functional.

„Intersex is basically just non-binary“

Not at all. Intersex is about sex characteristics, while non-binary is a gender identity. An intersex person can identify as male, female, non-binary or anything else. 

„Intersex is a disorder“

Not true. Intersex is a natural variation of human biology. It‘s not a disease and not something that needs to be fixed. The thought of intersex being a disorder is incredibly harmful

„Intersex people cannot be AFAB or AMAB“ „Intersex people are ONLY AIAB“

wrong. A lot of intersex people are stripped from their identity and get forced to fit in the boxes of female or male (which happens that they forcefully get assigned as female or male at birth). Plus some intersex characteristics doesn‘t show up until later in life (for example during puberty)

I am as an example AFAB intersex, as my characteristics didn‘t show up until puberty, and i didn‘t know before that i was intersex.

V. Offensive Words

Some terms have historically been used to harm intersex people. Here are a few to avoid.

I am intersex, so i can reclaim the words, yet i do not use them on a daily basis, and only use them NOW for educational purposes.

Hermaphrodite 

A slur that dehumanize intersex people and wrongly suggests that everyone has both parts.

DSD (Disorder of Sex Development)

A medicalized term that frames intersex as a disorder. Many intersex people, including myself, find it harmful

Futanari

A japanese word that is can be translated as hermaphrodite. It‘s fetishizing and degrading, and should never be used to describe real intersex people.

The best is to avoid the word in general INCLUDING IN ANIME, As it is literally the word Hermaphrodite in Japanese.

VI. Can you „become“ intersex?

No. Intersex is something you were born with. Surgery or body modification don‘t make someone intersex. It‘s not something you can „turn into“

And that‘s it: my first blog for the Kainéducation series! If you don‘t want to miss any more: make sure to subscribe to my blog!!

Thank you so much for reading — i hope i cleared some stuff up, but if you have any more questions feel free to leave a comment!!

Xoxo Kainé