Sexuality and Gender :: Intersex

It is estimated that around 100,000 individuals in Britain can be described as 'intersex'. Intersexual individuals are born neither fully physically male nor fully physically female. They may emotionally identify as female, male or inter-gender. Their sexual organs carry traits of both sexes. Intersex is a specifically physical condition, with emotional consequences.

An ‘intersex’ person would have biological or chromosomal triggers that produce the condition. Some are inherited, some are congenital (the result of a biological ‘accident’) but the condition or potential for it is inherent at birth. Each condition has a varying degree of incidence through the population and a different set of complications. The more common examples of conditions which cause ‘intersex’ include; Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and Klinefelter's Syndrome. Less common are Swyer Syndrome, Persistent Mullerian Duct Syndrome, 5-alpha-reductase deficiency and Turner's Syndrome. Depending on the condition the physical impact on the individual will vary.

Unlike trans individuals, who are usually born fully one sex or the other but feel they have been given the wrong body for their psychological gender, an intersexual's 'mixed gender' is a physical certainty.

When an ‘intersex’ child is born , and the condition is identified (it can be difficult to tell from the genitalia of a baby) they are usually brought up as a male or female - often by the choice of the parent after consultation with doctors. However, many are brought up as ‘intersex’ - neither male nor female but a unique identity. It is also important to note that genitalia alone is not a guaranteed form of identifying the sex of the individual. Just because the person has female genitalia it does not mean they are a woman.

Intersex is not wholly physical; it has a number of emotional impacts as well. Trying to decide your identity can be difficult for anyone, but this becomes a lot harder when you are not confident of what your physical sex is. You may have been raised as male but feel like a women or vice versa. It can be a difficult journey for many to ascertain who they are.

If Intersex affects you, or someone you know, then you can come visit us at UNISEX. There are also a number of specialised groups and agencies who can offer support.

Intersex: Contacts

The UK Intersex Association

A UK based condition-independent campaigning voice addressing the wider, non-medical issues, which affect the lives of Intersex people.
website: http://www.ukia.co.uk

Organisation Intersex International

An international organisation based in Canada which provides online support groups in English, French and Spanish and information about intersex on its website in seven languages. 
website: http://www.intersexualite.org

Intersex: Links

Channel 4
Excellent website by channel 4 which explains a number of the myths and facts around intersex created for their ‘Secret Intersex’ series.

Online Intersexual definition
Gives a definition of intersexuality and many of the related conditions, and takes a look at the wider issues.

The Survivor Project
Offers advice on the ways in which people want to be described, in a way that is not offensive.