The Transgender Dictionary

DIRECTORY W.I.P.!!! # 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 RESOURCES BY COUNTRY MISCELLANEOUS

Intersex

Table of Contents

Introduction

While intersex people are not inherently considered to be transgender, many do identify as being transgender. It is not uncommon for intersex people to have complex relationships regarding gender. What an intersex person will identify with or as varies from person to person, though people who are intersex are more likely to identify noncisgender or nonheterosexual than those who are not intersex. On a similar note, intersex people are not inherently considered to be nonbinary, though some intersex people will identify as such. This will vary from person to person, as everyone has their own unique experiences.

Before we continue, no, intersex people and animals are not "biologically nonbinary." Biological intersex variations ≠ human nonbinary gender identity. No, you cannot transition to become intersex (the words you may be looking for could be "altersex" or "salmacian"). See the relevant intersexism page for more information on the struggles of intersex people. Good allies don't use slurs. As always, for more information on topics or terms that you may not be familiar with, click on underlined words or use the alphabet menu at the top of this page.

General Information

Intersex is an umbrella term referring to people who are born with variations of sex traits such as chromosomes, genitalia, and/or hormones. Some intersex variations are obvious at birth. Others become known later in life; such as during puberty or adulthood. These variations fall out of the range of what is typically considered "male" or "female." It is estimated that 1.7% of the population has an intersex trait, with 0.5% having clinically identifiable reproductive or sexual variations.

Intersex Variations

Please note that all intersex variations are conditions that one is born with. You cannot transition to become intersex. Most of these conditions exist on a spectrum, and no two people with the same disorder present exactly the same.

5-Alpha-Reductase Deficiency

17-beta Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase 3 Deficiency

Androgen Insensitivity Spectrum

Anorchia

Aphallia

Aromatase Deficiency

Aromatase Excess Syndrome

Bladder Exstrophy

Chimerism

Cloacal Exstrophy

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Congenital Chordee

De la Chapelle Syndrome/XX Male Syndrome

Estrogen Insensitivity Syndrome

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Insensitivity

Fraser Syndrome

Gonadal Dysgenesis

Hyperandrogenism

Hypogonadism

Isolated 17,20-lyase deficiency/ILD

Jacobs Syndrome

Kallmann Syndrome

Klinefelter Syndrome

Luteinizing hormone insensitivity

Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome

Mosaicism

Müllerian Duct Anomalies

Ovotestes

Penoscrotal Transposition

Persistent Müllerian Duct Syndrome

Progestin-Induced Virilization

P.C.O.S.

Trisomy X

Turner Syndrome/XO Syndrome

Vaginal Atresia

XXYY Syndrome

Intersex Pride Flags

Intersex Pride Flag

The colors yellow and purple were chosen for the intersex flag because they were seen as being free from gendered associations.

The circle is described as "unbroken and unornamented, symbolizing wholeness and completeness, and our potentialities."

Close To Androgynous/CTA Flag

Close To Female/CTF Flag

Close To Male/CTM Flag

Close To Neutral/CTN Flag

Ipsogender/Ipso Flag

Ipsogender refers to intersex people who identify as the gender they were assigned. They may or may not identify as cisgender.

Transgender-Intersex/Trans-Intersex Flag

A term for an intersex person whose gender identity does not match the one decided on by their doctors and/or parents at birth, and identifies as transgender and intersex at the same time.

Ultergender/Ulter Flag

Intersex people who do not identify as the gender they were assigned. They may or may not identify as transgender.

Glossary

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

The resources below have been provided for education, information sourcing, and entertainment purposes. The views expressed in these videos, websites, etc, do not inherently reflect those of The Transgender Dictionary. These resources are not sponsored, nor endorsed.

Additional Resources (explicit!)