For some time now, the so-called Intersex Awareness Day has been celebrated at the end of October, on 26.10. to be precise. The "I" can now also be found in the abbreviation "LGBTQI+" and plays an increasingly important role in the life of the community.
Studies show that language is a wonderful way to observe how attitudes towards life and life in general change over time. The fact that the "I" has accordingly made it into the scene abbreviation shows how many people now identify with it and that intersexuality has been given a place within the community.
According to current statistics, scientists assume that about two percent of the world's population are intersexual. Converted, this is more than 150 million. In most cases, those affected do not notice their intersexuality for a long time. Only in the time of puberty they often notice that intersexuality could play a bigger role for them than they thought.
What does intersex mean?
"I am inter!"Many people who say this sentence are often looked at perplexed by their counterparts. If you're a bit more courageous, you can ask and, with a bit of luck, find out "by theway" how diverse the community has become.
Intersexual people have sexual characteristics which cannot be classified exclusively into "male" or "female". The corresponding (innate) variations are the basis for the intersexuality of a person. It would be possible, for example, that a person looks like a woman but has no uterus. At the same time, it is also possible that a man grows breasts during puberty. A classic example that many people who are otherwise outside the community can relate to is the hermaphrodite. However, this occurs in reality much less frequently than the other two examples mentioned.
Additional info: Intersexual people differ from non-binary people by the fact that their body actually shows characteristics of both sexes. Non-binary people do not want to be classified, even if they have only female or only male sexual characteristics.
What can Intersex Awareness Day accomplish?
Intersex Awareness Day aims to draw attention to the fact that there are millions of people who cannot be pigeonholed in terms of gender. Those who are aware of their intersexuality and have to fill out forms where they have to decide between "male" or "female" can be exposed to enormous pressure.
Unfortunately, this problem is still underestimated by society. Those affected know best how it is, for example, to live with characteristics of both sexes and to feel accordingly that they belong to neither side.
Probably also because of the community's actions and the fact that so many people have campaigned for more diversity, the legal situation on the subject in Germany changed a few years ago.
What is the current situation for intersexual people in Germany?
It is not too long ago that it was decided that intersexual people in Germany may also indicate a "diverse" for "gender". This option exists since the year 2018. How many people are born as intersexual is not known... among other things because it is ultimately still the decision of the parents to have a certain classic gender noted in the documents or to decide from the outset for the "diverse". Here it can be assumed that many legal guardians as young parents are afraid to take this step, which fortunately for many is a matter of course and stands for acceptance to a high degree.
You should consider this before the first joint apartment.