The language we use can shape the way we see and interact with the world. In fact, I wrote an editorial about how intentional language choice and usage can help us to be more inclusive, anti-oppressive, and empathetic.
Intersex is often overlooked in discussions of sex and biology, which results in intersex individuals being erased. Just as the singular “they” is an example of a gender-neutral pronoun that defies the man/woman gender binary, there are sex-neutral terms that defy the male/female sex binary. This awesome info chart from InterACT Advocates for Intersex Youth has a number of inclusive terms we can all work to incorporate into our vernacular in order to be more inclusive.
– Brett
For more information on intersex, visit ISNA (Intersex Society of North America).
