Quick question: What is intersex?
Intersex means by definition that somebody’s reproductive or sexual anatomy / traits (as genitalia, hormones, chromosomes, outern anatomy (as in bones structure) etc.) don’t fit the typical definitions of the female or male sex. There are many variations as to where intersex people differentiate in their anatomy from dyadic (non-intersex) people. For example, somebody may appear very masculine, but lack a fully-formed penis, or someone’s testosterone or estrogen hormone rates do not match their chromosomes.
There is also a huge diversity within intersex people and their experiences - sometimes they are being diagnosed already at birth (and at times forced to undergo surgeries shortly afterwards), sometimes it becomes apparent throughout puberty when some secondary or primary sexual characteristics evolve differently than expected. But there are also intersex people who notice very late that they are so, or that live their entire lives without finding out.
It should also be not forgotten about how not only gender but also sex is a social construct! Intersex people exist, and they are not as rare as one would think - sex binary is often used by supporters of the gender binary to underline their arguments, but it is fragile as well. The sex anatomy displays on a huge spectrum, sexual characteristics come in all shapes and sizes, and humans force all the differences to fit into two categories (three, if you count intersex as well). But that is not exactly necessary, as nature doesn’t really distinct strictly between two sexes. Still most societies do it to fit into traditions and to order things, which is obviously highly problematic and harmful.
I’d also like to add that I as far as I know, I am dyadic and am only yet learning about intersex identities! If you’d like to know more, there are some helpful Tumblr blogs on the topic:
@actuallyintersex (you’re only supposed to enage when you are intersex, but you are allowed to follow if you are dyadic)
@drcknowledgeandpower (check the tag /intersex)
Of course, there are also other recources on the internet, don’t be afraid to google around!
