Language
Home
Resource Hub
Language
Language
People with innate variations of sex characteristics use different words to talk about themselves. You can use the language you are most comfortable with.
Below are some other words and phrases that are preferred by people with innate variations of sex characteristics.
Intersex people have innate sex characteristics that do not fit medical and social norms for female or male bodies. Many people with innate variations in Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand prefer to use this word.
Some people might feel uncomfortable with the word intersex because it is sometimes associated with the LGBTIQA+ movement or confused with non-binary gender. IVSC is a more neutral, descriptive phrase that does not have this association.
These are words used to talk about intersex in a way that does not make judgements about our bodies. Language like this helps challenge how people understand intersex, away from ideas that cause us shame and stigma.
An example of Diagnosis Specific Language is “5 alpha reductase deficiency”. These are words and phrases that describe individual innate variations. There are lots of them, and they often use long and complex language that changes over time. Not all people with innate variations have a clear diagnosis.
Doctors and parents are more likely to use medical language to talk about variations because that is how they understand them. It is important to be aware of these words to understand other people when they use them. There might be situations where you need to use non-preferred language to help someone to understand your needs, however, when you express a preference for a particular language, it is appropriate to expect that your choice is respected.
Below are some other terms you may hear:
This is a term that many doctors use now because they feel it is more accurate than intersex. Some people use it because they are more comfortable thinking about intersex variations as medical conditions. Some people dislike it because it positions intersex variations as abnormal and needing ‘fixing’.
These terms might be used to describe intersex traits, where intersex is considered something medical that causes harm or needs to be treated. Language like this does not recognise or respect intersex variations as natural physical diversity.
This word was used to describe some types of people with innate variations and is now generally considered to be outdated. It used to be used in legal contexts before taking on specific and narrower meanings in medicine and biology. While many people with variations find it offensive, some older intersex people might use the term to describe their variation, or have ‘reclaimed’ the term.
- +61 7 3017 1724
- info@ilink.net.au
- PO Box 1372 Eagle Farm QLD 4009
InterLink is a program of InterAction for Health and Human Rights. We respect
your rights when using our services.
JOIN THE LINK-UP MAILING LIST
InterLink acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we work and pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. We recognise that soverignty was never ceded and honour the continuation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander connection to land, waters, and culture. We celebrate the rich diversity within our communities, extending our respect to all First Nations peoples.