Intersex-Exclusive Terminology Masterlist

This is heavily inspired by the masterlist by intersexfairy; however, it has not been updated in a while and has quite a few broken links as well as possibly questionable sources - I have nothing against him (he/ze/they) at all!

Part 1 of 2 posts. Next post will be about gender identities of intersex individuals, because neither do all exhibit difficulties regarding gender nor do all identify as LGBT due to their conditions and prefer to be excluded. As a result, please do not tag with LGBT or MOGAI as this post is not inherently tied to these two communities. Thank you <3

General Terminology:

Intersex (adj.) / Intersexness/Intersexuality (n.) / IS (abbr.) - Intersex is an umbrella term for differences in sex traits or reproductive anatomy. [source] It is common knowledge that the term "intersex" stems from them being "between" the sex binaries - female and male. Differences in Sex Development (n.) / DSD (abbr.) - A common medical term for intersex traits. Intersex people frown upon the usage of "Disorder" rather than "Differences" because it supports the hypothesis that we are to be "fixed" or "cured." [source] Variations in Sex Characteristics (n.) / VSC (abbr.) - See DSD. Variations is used as a term to label the cause of someone's intersex condition. They are listed as variants of the human condition, rather than being inherently disordered. [list of variations] [source] Intersex, Sex, and/or Gender Diverse (n. / adj.) - A term that is widely frowned upon by the intersex community due to not only its redundancy, but also how it feels like an attempt at erasure of the word "intersex" in itself. [source]

Dyadic (adj.) / Dyad (n.) - An umbrella term for people whose sex characteristics fit within the normative sex binaries - female and male. There is no direct source of where this term was first used. It is the most commonly used term, but is frowned upon by some communities due to suggesting the strictness of the sex binaries. Perisex (adj.) - See Dyadic. Coined by tumblr user actuallyintersex (dating prior to November 2014) due to the possible implifications that the usage of "dyadic" can have in terms of sex binaries. The original post has since been deleted, and the blog can be searched regarding the controversy of this term. [source] "Peri" is used rather than dyad because it means "around," as dyads may not fit directly within the normative sex binaries. It should also be noted that "peri" within medical terminology is used as the "outer layer," of things, such as the pericardium. Endosex (adj.) - See Dyadic. [source] *It should be noted that none of these three terms are more accepted/acceptable than the other, and all are used.

[TW - Intersexism] Intersexism / Interphobia (n.) - The discrimination or prejudice faced by intersex individuals. Intersexism is more commonly used. Dyadism (n.) - The concept that being dyadic is the norm of society, and inherently implies that being intersex is unnatural and intersex people are need of being "cured."

Medical Terminology:

[TW - Intersexism] Intersex Genital Mutilation (n.) / IGM (abbr.) - Non-lifesaving procedures used to alter natural variations in genital appearance. It is connected with the concept of dyadism and trying to make intersex people appear more "normal." [source] Forced/Coerced Hormone Replacement Therapy (n.) / F/CHRT (abbr.) - Due to lack of terminology, this is separate from "just" HRT due to the fact that intersex children do not consent to receiving this, and may not be life-saving. Often seen frequently alongside IGM, especially as a response to the removal of gonads that produce required hormones. [source] [source]

[TW - Intersexism] Sex Assignment (n.) - The process of legally assigning a child "Male" or "Female" at birth. Some people may be recognized intersex at birth, but will likely be given one of the sex binary for legal purposes. [source] In some places, it is noted that markers other than these may be followed. "X" may also be used as a gender marker, but is not typically used for the legal sex. [source] Assigned Sex At Birth (n.) / ASAB (abbr.) - May also be called Assigned Gender At Birth / AGAB. See Sex Assignment. Coercively Assigned Sex at Birth (n.) / CASAB (abbr.) - A non-exclusive term referring to ASAB. Typically used by transgender individuals, but it is also common within the intersex community. See Sex Assignment and ASAB. Forcibly Assigned Sex at Birth (n.) / FASAB (abbr.) - An intersex-exclusive term referring to CASAB. See Sex Assignment and CASAB. *It should be noted that sometimes people put "I" or "IS" as a prefix in ASAB abbreviations to indicate that they are intersex; i.e., ICAMAB. *It should be noted that some people use "X" (see Sex Assignment), "I" (meaning intersex), or "Unassigned At Birth"/"UAB" when speaking on assignment. I cannot find credible sources for these statements being used legitimately, but that does not exclude their validity as a self-identifier.

Intersex-Exclusive Terminology Masterlist

This is heavily inspired by the masterlist by intersexfairy; however, it has not been updated in a while and has quite a few broken links as well as possibly questionable sources - I have nothing against him (he/ze/they) at all!

Part 1 of 2 posts. Next post will be about gender identities of intersex individuals, because neither do all exhibit difficulties regarding gender nor do all identify as LGBT due to their conditions and prefer to be excluded. As a result, please do not tag with LGBT or MOGAI as this post is not inherently tied to these two communities. Thank you <3

General Terminology:

Intersex (adj.) / Intersexness/Intersexuality (n.) / IS (abbr.) - Intersex is an umbrella term for differences in sex traits or reproductive anatomy. [source] It is common knowledge that the term "intersex" stems from them being "between" the sex binaries - female and male. Differences in Sex Development (n.) / DSD (abbr.) - A common medical term for intersex traits. Intersex people frown upon the usage of "Disorder" rather than "Differences" because it supports the hypothesis that we are to be "fixed" or "cured." [source] Variations in Sex Characteristics (n.) / VSC (abbr.) - See DSD. Variations is used as a term to label the cause of someone's intersex condition. They are listed as variants of the human condition, rather than being inherently disordered. [list of variations] [source] Intersex, Sex, and/or Gender Diverse (n. / adj.) - A term that is widely frowned upon by the intersex community due to not only its redundancy, but also how it feels like an attempt at erasure of the word "intersex" in itself. [source]

Dyadic (adj.) / Dyad (n.) - An umbrella term for people whose sex characteristics fit within the normative sex binaries - female and male. There is no direct source of where this term was first used. It is the most commonly used term, but is frowned upon by some communities due to suggesting the strictness of the sex binaries. Perisex (adj.) - See Dyadic. Coined by tumblr user actuallyintersex (dating prior to November 2014) due to the possible implifications that the usage of "dyadic" can have in terms of sex binaries. The original post has since been deleted, and the blog can be searched regarding the controversy of this term. [source] "Peri" is used rather than dyad because it means "around," as dyads may not fit directly within the normative sex binaries. It should also be noted that "peri" within medical terminology is used as the "outer layer," of things, such as the pericardium. Endosex (adj.) - See Dyadic. [source] *It should be noted that none of these three terms are more accepted/acceptable than the other, and all are used.

[TW - Intersexism] Intersexism / Interphobia (n.) - The discrimination or prejudice faced by intersex individuals. Intersexism is more commonly used. Dyadism (n.) - The concept that being dyadic is the norm of society, and inherently implies that being intersex is unnatural and intersex people are need of being "cured."

Medical Terminology:

[TW - Intersexism] Intersex Genital Mutilation (n.) / IGM (abbr.) - Non-lifesaving procedures used to alter natural variations in genital appearance. It is connected with the concept of dyadism and trying to make intersex people appear more "normal." [source] Forced/Coerced Hormone Replacement Therapy (n.) / F/CHRT (abbr.) - Due to lack of terminology, this is separate from "just" HRT due to the fact that intersex children do not consent to receiving this, and may not be life-saving. Often seen frequently alongside IGM, especially as a response to the removal of gonads that produce required hormones. [source] [source]

[TW - Intersexism] Sex Assignment (n.) - The process of legally assigning a child "Male" or "Female" at birth. Some people may be recognized intersex at birth, but will likely be given one of the sex binary for legal purposes. [source] In some places, it is noted that markers other than these may be followed. "X" may also be used as a gender marker, but is not typically used for the legal sex. [source] Assigned Sex At Birth (n.) / ASAB (abbr.) - May also be called Assigned Gender At Birth / AGAB. See Sex Assignment. Coercively Assigned Sex at Birth (n.) / CASAB (abbr.) - A non-exclusive term referring to ASAB. Typically used by transgender individuals, but it is also common within the intersex community. See Sex Assignment and ASAB. Forcibly Assigned Sex at Birth (n.) / FASAB (abbr.) - An intersex-exclusive term referring to CASAB. See Sex Assignment and CASAB. *It should be noted that sometimes people put "I" or "IS" as a prefix in ASAB abbreviations to indicate that they are intersex; i.e., ICAMAB. *It should be noted that some people use "X" (see Sex Assignment), "I" (meaning intersex), or "Unassigned At Birth"/"UAB" when speaking on assignment. I cannot find credible sources for these statements being used legitimately, but that does not exclude their validity as a self-identifier.

Intersex Reuploads

Dedicated to reuploading and cleaning flags and coined terms for intersex individuals for archival purposes. Will cite sources, especially if the original post has been deleted.

Ran by Mod Atlan, who uses no pronouns (aux. it/its). I am a transfeminine intersex adult person whose identity is very strongly tied to being intersex and has been for many years.

I may not agree with the beliefs of everyone that I repost from. This blog is meant strictly for archival purposes, and not for drama or debates. I am not directly associated with any other intersex blogs and openly supports them, even if I do not always agree with them. HOWEVER: I will not tolerate any bigotry of any kind.

This blog may contain terms that I am uncomfortable with or deem inappropriate as well. Since this is for the sake of archival purposes and helping others, I will likely continue to include them, as many other archives go inactive or stop posting eventually. Posts that may be taken in such a way will be tagged with "questionable"