browsing my favorite subreddit again (intersex sub) and figured this would be very helpful for some perisex trans people to hear:
"You cannot transition to being intersex as it is a congenital sex status that describes the way the body naturally develops. Inferring that someone can become/transition to being intersex is harmful because also implies that the reverse is true, and that those of us subjected to Intersex Genital Mutilation, medical abuse, and harm are no longer intersex. It implies that we can be "corrected" to perisex and that we can be erased. People who have neutral, nonbinary, or mixed sex transition goals/acquired anatomy can use "Altersex" instead of appropriating the intersex label."
this is the most concise explanation, but here's more:
"It is a common misconception to confuse intersex and trans experiences. We share some, but being intersex doesn't make you trans. Same as being trans does not make you intersex. However it is very much possible to have an intersex condition and be trans at the same time. For some of us this is a very painful reality when the individual got altered as an infant without consent only to realize later in life to re-alter what got forced upon them."
And as far as the "say you're intersex to avoid transphobia" thing goes:
"Not only is it inappropriate to pretend to be part of a minority group you have to be born into but it also harms us as you will misrepresent our experience, struggles, etc. and this contributes to our erasure. It is offensive and ignorant of our realities.
Telling people you are intersex also does not protect you from transphobia. Instead, it will open you up to intersexism. Intersexism is just as violent as transphobia"
