When does one have intersex?

Intersexuality is the fact of being born with two different sexual characteristics - male and female. Accordingly, an existing intersexuality is usually already determined in the hospital. In this context, it is particularly interesting that medicine today deals with this topic in a completely different way than it did a few years ago.

In the past, it was considered important to operate on those affected as quickly as possible (often even as children). Mostly, one decided for the gender which was "more pronounced" and thus took the "decision" away from those affected by intersexuality.

Today, this is a procedure that is also strongly criticized in professional circles. In the meantime, surgery is no longer performed hastily in cases of intersexuality. The only exceptions are cases in which the health of the affected person would be impaired. However, this is only the case in the rarest of cases.

Otherwise, surgery is only performed if an intersexual person decides to do so after careful consideration.

What role does intersex play within society?

Unfortunately, there are still many prejudices with regard to intersexuality in today's time. This feels that many intersexual people do not dare to open up to the outside. Depending on their psychological constitution, they are exposed to a high pressure of suffering.

However, intersexuality is not a "phenomenon" that is exclusively current today. Intersexual people have always existed. In recent years, the topic has only been made more and more public - among other things because so many affected people could recognize that they are not alone.

Anyone looking for help and support should contact one of the many drop-in centers for queers.

Intersex and gender: male, female, diverse?

Being affected by intersex, does not mean having to feel both female and male. Clearly, even among intersex people there are many people who identify as non-binary. However, there are also intersex people who clearly identify as female or clearly identify as male and show this outwardly.

Over time, some of them develop the need to show their gender identification to the outside world through appropriate surgery.

This is an important step, which - even before the corresponding operation - always takes place under medical supervision. After all, such operations can usually no longer be reversed after a certain point.

However, many ultimately find it to be a kind of liberation when the process they have desired is completed.

In short: intersex people have the possibility to undergo surgery in the present time - under the observance of a certain procedure. However, it is definitely wrong to assume that everyone would feel the need to have such an operation.

Do you see intersex from the outside?

Intersexuality can manifest itself in many different ways and is not always directly visible from the outside. For example, if a person was born with both male and female sexual characteristics, usually only the partner knows this. However, intersexuality can also show itself, for example in women, by an increased hair growth, or in men by a comparatively high voice.

In these cases, the signs are naturally much more noticeable. A supportive environment can be an important help for those affected. Because: Depending on how the intersexuality shows itself, it can be that the persons concerned are exposed to discrimination.

As is so often the case, the only thing that helps here is education. In the meantime, there are many associations that have made it their goal to sensitize people outside the community accordingly. And also at the big CSD events, the topic is addressed again and again.

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