Our first word is hermaphrodite (no surprise there,
right?). A hermaphrodite is an organism
with male and female reproductive organs.
Many animals are hermaphroditic species like earthworms, snails,
starfish etc. Most flowering plants are
also hermaphroditic.
Historically intersex conditions were classified as either
true hermaphrodites (with a mix of ovarian and testicular tissue, or an ovary
and a testicle) or pseudohermaphrodites (all other intersex conditions). This has obviously fallen out of favor for
the term intersex. This is a good
nomenclature switch since humans are not a hermaphroditic species. There are no intersex conditions that result
in a body that is reproductively functional as a male and female. As I mentioned in my ambiguous genitalia
post, more masculine genitals mean less feminine and vice versa, you don’t get
both in humans.
I have to admit, I sometimes use the word hermaphrodite to
describe myself to others. I realize
this is controversial. Many intersex
people consider the word hermaphrodite offensive, or at least not PC. Others
use it as a term of empowerment. I find
it makes a good shorthand for people who have never heard of intersex. They already have some idea what
hermaphrodite means, thus shortening what would be a lengthy explanation. Am I right to do this? Am I being offensive or is it ok to shorten
explanations in a way people will better understand? Do you call yourself a hermaphrodite? I would love to hear your opinions.
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