The Difference Between Intersex Conditions and Gender Identity Disorder

Intersex people are often grouped with the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community, although somewhat unfairly. Unlike gay, lesbian and bisexual people which come about due to a person's sexual orientation, and transgenderism which results from an inner confusion about one's gender identity, intersex people are born that way and are typically the result of a medical or genetic condition.

Instersex is an umbrella term that can be used for a wide variety of medical terms. While some children are identified at birth as being Intersex, the condition in other people does not show up until adulthood. Some confusion exists between transgendered individuals and a person with an intersex condition. Transgendered people merely feel they are born into the wrong body but have the genitalia appropriate for the gender they were born to. Intersex people have atypical genitalia. Some individuals falling into the latter category may also identify as transsexual and undergo treatment and gender reassignment surgery, but the vast majority according to the ISNA's website identify as either male or female and are happy with their chosen gender roles.

Sometimes children born with Intersex conditions will undergo surgery at the hands of well meaning doctors and parents to make a child "normal." With other forms of genital mutilation such as female circumcision currently making headlines, it is sad that the practice still continues. As most people should not be concerned with what clothing covers up in most cases, such surgeries are unnecessary and it is possible that someone born with an intersex condition will grow up to be psychologically healthy. The term hermaphrodite has been used to describe people with intersex conditions in the past, but it is technically inaccurate and has fallen out of favor. Hermaphrodite means a person is capable of functioning fully as both male and female, which is a biological impossibility.

Many parents and doctors will still try to conceal an Intersex condition should they discover it in a patient, but a newer, open model of care is becoming more widely accepted. Intersex individuals continue to face discrimination and shame as a result of their condition and one of the similarities it has to gender identity disorder. However, the challenges each group faces are different and each group, which has been recognized by lawmakers in some countries like Australia. Intersex however is an umbrella term for a group of conditions and the medical or genetic conditions that can cause it vary widely.

Sources:

http://www.isna.org/faq/nothing

http://www.isna.org/compare