What does it mean to be intersex?
Why am I intersex?
What is biological sex?
I was not born intersex! Why now?!
Is it illegal to be intersex in ZImbabwe?
Does being intersex mean I am trans*?
Does being intersex mean I am gay/ lesbian/ bisexual?
Does being intersex mean I cannot be a boy/ man, or girl/ woman?
Why am I intersex?
What is biological sex?
I was not born intersex! Why now?!
Is it illegal to be intersex in ZImbabwe?
Does being intersex mean I am trans*?
Does being intersex mean I am gay/ lesbian/ bisexual?
Does being intersex mean I cannot be a boy/ man, or girl/ woman?
What does it mean to be intersex?
An intersex person is one who born with sexual anatomy, reproductive organs, or chromosome patterns that do not fit the typical definition of male or female. For example, they may have all male anatomy on the outside (penis and scrotum), but also have female anatomy on the inside (ovaries and a uterus). It is also possible for someone to be born with genitals that seem to lie in-between e.g. a boy born with a scrotum that looks like a labia. Sometimes, the differences are more internal than that e.g. a boy may be born with XXY sex chromosomes. Regardless of how you are intersex, TIRZ is ready and open to helping you understand and accept your identity.
An intersex person is one who born with sexual anatomy, reproductive organs, or chromosome patterns that do not fit the typical definition of male or female. For example, they may have all male anatomy on the outside (penis and scrotum), but also have female anatomy on the inside (ovaries and a uterus). It is also possible for someone to be born with genitals that seem to lie in-between e.g. a boy born with a scrotum that looks like a labia. Sometimes, the differences are more internal than that e.g. a boy may be born with XXY sex chromosomes. Regardless of how you are intersex, TIRZ is ready and open to helping you understand and accept your identity.
Why am I intersex?
A number of medical conditions that can appear at any time in your life can give rise to you being intersex. This does not mean that you are “ill”, “abnormal”, “cursed”, or “disabled”. Your biological sex just has a unique way of expressing itself.
A number of medical conditions that can appear at any time in your life can give rise to you being intersex. This does not mean that you are “ill”, “abnormal”, “cursed”, or “disabled”. Your biological sex just has a unique way of expressing itself.
What is “biological sex”?
This term refers to the internal and external body characteristics, parts, reproductive organs, and genetic make-up that a person has. Society has often divided these into two:
The reality is that there are plenty of non-intersex persons who do not fit these stereotypes. Similarly, intersex people do not fit the these stereotypes as well, but this is as a result of a medical condition, rather than through variance (the process through which your body’s characteristics are set due to the genetic and non-genetic processes that make you).
This term refers to the internal and external body characteristics, parts, reproductive organs, and genetic make-up that a person has. Society has often divided these into two:
The reality is that there are plenty of non-intersex persons who do not fit these stereotypes. Similarly, intersex people do not fit the these stereotypes as well, but this is as a result of a medical condition, rather than through variance (the process through which your body’s characteristics are set due to the genetic and non-genetic processes that make you).
I was not born intersex! Why now?!
Well, there can be two (often-related) reasons for why you may be realising your intersex identity now:
Well, there can be two (often-related) reasons for why you may be realising your intersex identity now:
- Some of the medical conditions that cause you to be intersex do not appear at birth, and are not easily identifiable. Sometimes they only manifest much later in life (for example, when you start undergoing puberty). So neither you, your family, nor the doctor/ nurse/ midwife who assisted at your birth may know that you are intersex until it happens.
- In Zimbabwe, our laws are not sensitive to intersexuality. At present, the law says you must be registered as either male or female at birth, even if you are clearly intersex. So, sometimes, this means that you will grow up with an assigned sex that is not true of your intersex identity.
Is it illegal to be intersex in Zimbabwe?
Not at all! In Zimbabwe, medical practitioners at hospitals such as Karanda hospital are aware of the various medical conditions that can give rise to you being intersex, and may be able to assist in helping you understand and live with your intersex identity. It is also general practice in the country that doctors should not perform any medical/ surgical procedure on you with the aim of giving you a specific sex until you have at least reached puberty. This “rule” does not apply if you have a life threatening condition that gave rise to you being intersex identity (such as if you are born without a urinary opening).
Not at all! In Zimbabwe, medical practitioners at hospitals such as Karanda hospital are aware of the various medical conditions that can give rise to you being intersex, and may be able to assist in helping you understand and live with your intersex identity. It is also general practice in the country that doctors should not perform any medical/ surgical procedure on you with the aim of giving you a specific sex until you have at least reached puberty. This “rule” does not apply if you have a life threatening condition that gave rise to you being intersex identity (such as if you are born without a urinary opening).
Does being intersex mean I am trans*?
Not necessarily. Being intersex relates to your biological sex, where as being trans relates to your inner feelings of your gender identity, as well as the ways your express your gender identity. It is perfectly possible to be intersex and trans* as well.
Not necessarily. Being intersex relates to your biological sex, where as being trans relates to your inner feelings of your gender identity, as well as the ways your express your gender identity. It is perfectly possible to be intersex and trans* as well.
Does being intersex mean I am gay/ lesbian/ bisexual?
As with being trans*, you can be any sexual orientation, and also be intersex. Your sexual orientation is separate (but related) to the sex you were born. For more information about sexual orientation, visit the page on being trans*.
As with being trans*, you can be any sexual orientation, and also be intersex. Your sexual orientation is separate (but related) to the sex you were born. For more information about sexual orientation, visit the page on being trans*.
So does this mean I cannot be a boy/ man, or girl/ woman?
Not at all! In line with what is happening in the country, as well as what various national and international experts and intersex advocates are saying, we encourage you to live in the sex and gender identity you feel most comfortable in. If you feel you need help doing so, then contact TIRZ and we will be more than willing to help.
Not at all! In line with what is happening in the country, as well as what various national and international experts and intersex advocates are saying, we encourage you to live in the sex and gender identity you feel most comfortable in. If you feel you need help doing so, then contact TIRZ and we will be more than willing to help.