I’m doing a presentation about nonbinary stuff with my partner @genderhawk at an upcoming conference. We’re both nonbinary afab people with hyperandrogenism. There are some slides in the presentation covering intersex stuff. I’m posting them here for feedback - any comments, criticisms, or concerns are appreciated.
As intuitive as dividing babies into males and females might sound, it doesn’t work out very well in the real world. Intersex, also known as differences of sex development, is a grouping of congenital physical conditions where hormonal, chromosomal, or anatomical sex characteristics do not conform to the medically expected binary. According to the Organization Intersex International, intersex people make up about 1.7% of the population. So, a fairly large portion of the population (about as many as have red hair) don’t fit into the physically defined binary from the moment they’re born. This yellow flag with a purple ring is the flag of the Organization Intersex International Australia.
We’ll talk more about intersex issues later in the presentation.
Intersex, also known as differences of sex development, is a grouping of congenital physical conditions where hormonal, chromosomal, or anatomical sex characteristics do not conform to the medically expected binary. There is nothing “wrong” with intersex people.
Medical and surgical interventions to alter the bodies of intersex children have been common over the past 80 years, and remain legal in all countries other than Malta. But most of these procedures are medically unnecessary, and even abusive - causing unnecessary physical and psychological harm to vulnerable children.
According to the Organization Intersex International, intersex people make up about 1.7% of the population.
The term “hermaphrodite” has been historically common, but is now considered dehumanising and offensive to intersex people.
Slide 3 (im especially uncertain and unsteady about this slide. I think a comparison slide is a good idea, but I can’t figure out how to format or explain it) text:
While it is certainly possible to be intersex and nonbinary, not all intersex people are nonbinary, and not all nonbinary people are intersex.
Nonbinary refers to gender identity, and intersex refers to physical characteristics.
Intersex conditions are present from birth, although not all of them will be noticeable at birth. For example, hormonal intersex conditions may not be noticeable until puberty. Gender identity is formed in response to society, and is not present until a person can conceptualize themself and their gender.
Some intersex people may see intersex as their gender, as well as their physical condition.
Intersex and nonbinary communities share the desire for legal recognition of third gender options on official documentation.
In the United States, legal battles have been fought and won by members of both groups. Courts have recognized the right to nonbinary legal recognition in Colorado, Oregon, California, and New York.
Globally, forms of intersex or nonbinary legal identification are recognized in Australia, Canada, Bangladesh, Germany, India, Malta, Nepal, New Zealand, and Pakistan.
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