π Intersex people have always existed, but today they often face a mixture of ignorance and discrimination.
𧡠Here are eight facts to know π
β The definition
βοΈ #Intersex is an umbrella term for people with sex characteristics β chromosome patterns, genitals, gonads β outside the binary of male and female bodies.
πΆ The traits are sometimes visible at birth, but might not appear until puberty β or not at all.
π’ The numbers
π Around 1.7% of the global population is thought to be born with an intersex condition.
π¨βπ¦° This is almost the same as those who are born with red hair
π‘ However, many don't realise they are intersex until later in life.
π₯ Surgery
π· Intersex children who go through unnecessary genital procedures to appear more male or female often deal with physical & mental health consequences.
π²πΉ Malta was the 1st country to ban the practice in 2015, followed by Portugal & Germany.
πΌ Fertility
π€° Many intersex people have mostly typical reproductive anatomy β but some do not.
π§βπΌ Some parents opt for genital surgery if their child is born intersex.
πΆ However, this procedure can sometimes lead to infertility.
π» Being intersex relates to biological characteristics, not sexuality or gender identity.
π However, they are often included in the LGBTQI acronym since they can face similar challenges β especially around sex and gender norms.
πΉ Gender norms
β Many are comfortable with their gender assigned at birth, but some discover it doesn't match who they are.
π§ββοΈ Many countries requires intersex people to go down the same medical route as trans people if they want to legally change their gender.
βοΈ Discrimination
βοΈ Anti-discrimination laws for gender identity and sexuality are becoming more common - but protections based on sex characteristics are often lacking.
πΌ This can leave intersex people without protection at work, in healthcare and in sports.
π Sports
π½ Intersex people often face discrimination due to questions over whether they have unfair advantages.
π£ βShe isnβt set dressing, she isnβt a box to tick, she is a fully-fledged character that is important to her community,β wrote @Steph_I_Will.
π³οΈββ§οΈToday, hundreds of people are meeting outside 10 Downing Street in London for the #TransRightsProtest.
πͺ§ They want to raise awareness of issues faced by transgender and non-binary people in Britain, including access to healthcare.
π£οΈ "As a non-binary person, I want the right to be legally recognised" says @OwenJHurcum, the world's first non-binary Mayor in Bangor, Wales π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ.
π£οΈ "Being able to be someone's representation and to fight for more representation is so important, without that, it's so isolating. It's so destructive."
π The world's fastest women are racing for gold at #Tokyo2020 today.
β But some athletes including Olympian Caster Semenya have been banned from competing in certain races because they are intersex or have high levels of testosterone.
Here's what you need to know π§΅
𧬠Intersex people are born with atypical chromosomes or sex features.
π΅ This means some women can also have male sex characteristics - including internal testes producing testosterone.
π In 2011, the IAAF - now @worldathletics - ruled that female athletes with hyperandrogenism have to lower their testosterone levels to "ensure fair competition for all women".
π But when @Caster800m began taking medication to do this, she said it made her feel ill.
HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, spreading through certain bodily fluids. Untreated it can lead to AIDS, a set of life-threatening infections and illnesses.
There is still no cure for HIV, but effective treatments exist π