intersex
Neither strictly male/female
Intersex describes people born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn't fit typical definitions of male or female.
This may involve chromosomes, hormones, genitals, or internal organs.
Some intersex traits are apparent at birth; others emerge at puberty or are discovered incidentally.
The term replaces older medical language like "hermaphrodite," now considered outdated and offensive.
Many intersex advocates oppose unnecessary surgeries on infants.
Unusual or non-normative
- nonbinaryOutside male-female categories
- transgenderGender differs from assignment
- genderqueerOutside the two-category system
- genderfluidVariable gender identity
agender · LGBTQIA · pride · allyship · inclusivity · diversity · spectrum · community
Gamete-producing glands
- genitaliaReproductive organs collectively
- hormonesBloodstream signaling molecules
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
- estrogenFemale reproductive hormone
androgen · reproductive anatomy · phenotype · endocrine · gonads · urogenital · adrenal · puberty
Combined sex characteristics
- androgynousNeither distinctly male nor female
- masculineMale in character
- femininePertaining to women
- gender identityInner sense of self-classification
pronouns · binary · nonbinary · third gender · two-spirit · gender expression
Organized chromosome display
- mosaicInlaid pictorial arrangement
- chromosomeDNA strand carrying genes
- geneticRelating to heredity
- SRY geneMammalian male-determination gene
XY · mosaicism · genotype · trisomy · genetic variation
State of varied elements
- differenceWay things contrast
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- biological diversityVariety among living organisms
- traitDistinguishing personal quality
Excision of sex glands
- hormone therapyTreatment using body's messengers
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- treatmentCare for an ailment
- endocrinologyScience of hormonal glands
pediatric · surgery · clinical · patient · healthcare · informed consent · medical intervention · assignment
Claiming an identity label
- prideSatisfaction from one's achievements
- affirmationPositive statement of truth
- coming outRevealing one's identity
- visibilityRange of clear sight
awareness · acceptance · community · empowerment · advocacy · lived experience · disclosure · terminology
Control over one's physique
- informed consentPermission given with understanding
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- human rightsInalienable personal freedoms
queer
Unusual or non-normative
- nonbinaryOutside male-female categories
- transgenderGender differs from assignment
- genderqueerOutside the two-category system
genderfluid · agender · LGBTQIA · pride · allyship · inclusivity · diversity · spectrum · community · solidarity
gonads
Gamete-producing glands
- genitaliaReproductive organs collectively
- hormonesBloodstream signaling molecules
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
estrogen · androgen · reproductive anatomy · phenotype · endocrine · gonads · urogenital · adrenal · puberty · anatomy
androgyny
Combined sex characteristics
- androgynousNeither distinctly male nor female
- masculineMale in character
- femininePertaining to women
gender identity · pronouns · binary · nonbinary · third gender · two-spirit · gender expression
karyotype
Organized chromosome display
- mosaicInlaid pictorial arrangement
- chromosomeDNA strand carrying genes
- geneticRelating to heredity
XY · SRY gene · mosaicism · genotype · trisomy · genetic variation
diversity
State of varied elements
- differenceWay things contrast
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- biological diversityVariety among living organisms
normal variation · trait · congenital · innate · variance
gonadectomy
Excision of sex glands
- hormone therapyTreatment using body's messengers
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- treatmentCare for an ailment
endocrinology · pediatric · surgery · clinical · patient · healthcare · informed consent · medical intervention · assignment
self-identification
Claiming an identity label
- prideSatisfaction from one's achievements
- affirmationPositive statement of truth
- coming outRevealing one's identity
visibility · awareness · acceptance · community · empowerment · advocacy · lived experience · disclosure · terminology · bodily autonomy
bodily autonomy
Control over one's physique
- informed consentPermission given with understanding
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
human rights · medicalization · pathologization · destigmatization
- birth defectsbirth defect, birth defects, malformation, cleft lip, cleft palate
- gendergender, male, female, masculine, feminine
- identityidentity, personal identity, self, selfhood, self-expression
- LGBTQgay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer
- LGBTQ+gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer
- sex biologyY chromosome, XY, sexual differentiation, male, female
intersexbinary
Consisting of two parts
either/or · unambiguous · typical · normative
- intersex peopleThose with ambiguous biology
interspecies, intersexual, intersexuality, intersexuals, intersexed