In 2021, Valentino Vecchietti designed a revised Pride Flag that features a purple circle on a yellow backdrop. This new flag, inspired by Morgan Carpenter's 2013 intersex pride flag, aims to highlight the often-overlooked "I" in "LGBTQIA+". Both purple and yellow are regarded as gender-neutral colors, contrasting with traditional associations of blue and pink. This flag symbolizes the intersex community's struggle for acceptance, bodily autonomy, and the right to exist as complete individuals without the need for medical correction.

What does it mean to identify as intersex?

Intersex refers to individuals whose sexual anatomy does not conform to conventional definitions of male or female. Contrary to common misconceptions, intersex can encompass a range of conditions. Approximately two percent of all newborns exhibit chromosomal, gonadal, genital, or hormonal characteristics that diverge from the "norm." Given that around one hundred and forty million babies are born globally each year, this translates to nearly two million, eight hundred thousand intersex births annually.

Despite this prevalence, some assert that intersexuality is a modern concept that emerged with the internet; however, this is inaccurate. The term "intersex" has existed in the English language for over two centuries, and the understanding of intersex individuals predates modern discussions. Ancient references, such as the Greek god Hermaphroditus, the deity of fertility and marriage, and the real-life story of Eleno de Céspedes from the sixteenth century, illustrate that intersex conditions have long been recognized.

The definitions of male and female, as well as what is deemed "normal," are far more complex than they appear. The human body exhibits a vast array of variations that cannot be neatly categorized into a binary framework. It is important to note that bodies labeled as deviant are often categorized as such not due to any intrinsic value but through societal consensus. If society accepts a trait, it becomes normalized; if it condemns it, it is viewed as a vice.

Society predominantly revolves around concepts of sex and gender. While it is widely acknowledged that sex pertains to biological attributes and gender to social identity, many aspects of life remain intertwined. Consider the myriad ways gender influences daily experiences: public restrooms, changing facilities, single-gender educational institutions, religious practices, sports teams, toys, clothing, prison systems, and the systemic inequalities faced by women. Given this pervasive influence, where does the intersex identity fit, and has this always been the case?

Human beings are inherently complex and diverse. Our differences in skin tones, heights, weights, and preferences highlight the necessity of accepting gender and sexual diversity. The likelihood of a person being born intersex is comparable to that of being born with Down Syndrome. The real question lies not in whether intersex individuals will be born but in how society chooses to respond to them. Historical patterns show that societal attitudes have shifted significantly over time.

Historically, sexuality was largely overlooked in medical contexts until the nineteenth century, with the term "homosexual" first appearing in the 1890s. Before this, perceptions of sexuality and gender were primarily shaped by familial or religious institutions, and occasionally by legal frameworks.

When we consider intersex conditions as "deviations" from societal norms, it is essential to reflect on the historical context. Centuries ago, deviations—be they behavioral or biological—were often equated with sin. For example, a child's blindness might be interpreted as a punishment for parental wrongdoing. This mindset persists in some modern contexts, where events like the AIDS crisis were framed as divine retribution against homosexuals.

Interestingly, the pseudo-Galenic text De Spermate from the late twelfth to early thirteenth century recognized intersex births as natural, though its reasoning was flawed. It posited that the uterus contained three chambers for nurturing: one for males, one for females, and one for intersex individuals. While intersex births were unexpected, the text argued they were not unnatural, suggesting that the human body was designed to produce them.

This historical acknowledgment did not necessarily equate to social acceptance. Attitudes towards intersex individuals varied greatly, with some viewing them as monstrous or cursed. In contrast, the prevailing Western medical perspective often portrays intersex bodies as having ambiguous genitalia that conceal their "true" sex, leading to surgical interventions aimed at revealing this "true" identity.

As society transitioned to a more legalistic and secular framework, deviance became less about morality and more about legality, often associated with criminality rather than sin. This shift occasionally benefited intersex individuals, allowing them to live relatively undisturbed lives as long as they adhered to the law.

In sixteenth and seventeenth-century France, intersex individuals—then referred to as hermaphrodites—could marry, provided they assumed a gender role opposite to their spouse. If an intersex person married a woman, they would be legally recognized as male, but engaging in same-sex relations could lead to severe penalties, including public whipping or execution.

With the medicalization of sexuality, deviance began to be treated as a condition requiring intervention. This era saw the early attempts at surgical interventions for genital regulation, often motivated by societal pressures rather than the individual's well-being. Most intersex conditions are not harmful to health, yet surgeries were frequently performed to conform to societal norms.

The narrative surrounding intersex bodies often stemmed from fears that they could disrupt heterosexual norms, leading to the notion of "hermaphroditism of the soul" for those who experienced attractions beyond heterosexuality.

Today, intersex individuals are still frequently described in medical terms, referred to as having a "condition" or "disorder." This medicalized language stands in stark contrast to how cisgender individuals typically discuss their identities.

How do medical professionals approach intersex babies in the modern era?

Doctors often default to assigning intersex infants female identities, performing surgeries to reduce oversized clitorises and remove internal testes under the dubious pretext of cancer prevention. While it is true that internal testes can develop cancer, so can many body parts; it is not standard practice to remove healthy limbs as a precaution. Subsequently, these children receive hormonal treatments to induce puberty according to their assigned gender.

Unfortunately, the current medical protocols intended to alleviate stigma often exacerbate feelings of alienation, shame, and confusion among intersex individuals. Adolescents already face considerable challenges regarding their bodies without the added pressure of medical scrutiny aimed at ensuring they develop "correctly."

Medical trauma is a pervasive issue among intersex individuals, with research indicating that around 95% of intersex adults report experiencing significant medical trauma during childhood due to non-consensual procedures. The existing medical framework perpetuates feelings of inadequacy, leading some intersex individuals to feel disconnected from their peers.

Moreover, the current medical approach has legal ramifications in states like Texas and Kansas, where chromosomal definitions of sex can impede intersex women's ability to marry male partners, as they may be classified as XY (typically male) at the chromosomal level.

What actions can we take to foster understanding and acceptance?

The foremost step is to recognize and embrace differences without fear or judgment. For individuals to reconcile their identities—be it gender, sexual, or religious—they require affirmation and acceptance from those around them. As inherently social beings, it is vital that we not only understand our identities but have them acknowledged by others. For intersex individuals, this means providing opportunities to move beyond feelings of secrecy, shame, or isolation.

Ideally, society would work towards diminishing the significance of gender categories, ultimately leading to the obsolescence of the labels male, female, intersex, and transgender. Children should not be divided by gender, and public facilities can easily be made gender-neutral. While society is beginning to acknowledge intersex as a potential third gender category aligned with non-binary identities, perhaps a more fluid understanding would benefit everyone involved.

I also recognize the necessity for safe, single-sex spaces, particularly for women, for various reasons that extend beyond the scope of this article. However, it is crucial that such spaces do not exclude transgender individuals.

For those interested in personal narratives surrounding intersex experiences, memoirs like Thea Hillman’s Intersex (for Lack of a Better Word) (2008) and Alicia Roth Weigel’s Inverse Cowgirl (2023) offer valuable insights.

If your interests lie in the intersection of intersexuality, medicine, and broader societal implications, I recommend Suzanne Kessler’s Lessons from the Intersexed (2002), which captures interviews with pediatric surgeons, endocrinologists, parents, and intersex adults who underwent treatment in childhood.

Alternatively, Sharon Preves’ Intersex and Identity: The Contested Self (2003) includes interviews with over one hundred intersex individuals about their experiences, although these may be less accessible and not as recent as Inverse Cowgirl.

For those curious about how intersex traits manifest, consider exploring:

An Introduction to Intersex Biology Just what does science say about being intersex? medium.com

If you found this discussion engaging, you might also appreciate:

Intersex People from History: Eleno de Céspedes The Sixteenth Century Intersex Surgeon from Spain medium.com

Pride Month: Cases of Homosexual Punishment from the Old Bailey A reflection on LGBTQIA+ progress by examining historical trials against homosexual men in 17th-18th century England. medium.com

Ancient Gay Weddings In celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month, this article explores the history of queer weddings. medium.com