Intersex (Noun)
Meaning
One having both male and female sexual characteristics and organs; at birth an unambiguous assignment of male or female cannot be made.
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- People with intersex conditions may have varying levels of male and female sexual characteristics present at birth.
- The international medical community recognizes intersex as a legitimate and common variation of human biology.
- Some countries are starting to recognize intersex as a legitimate option on identification documents for individuals who do not identify as strictly male or female.
- Raising an intersex child can present unique challenges for parents trying to help them navigate societal and cultural expectations around gender.
- Historically, intersex individuals often faced forced surgeries and medical interventions in an attempt to fit them into binary male or female categories.