|Introduction|   |Intersex Conditions| 

Introduction

Gender identity of intersex persons

In the nature versus nurture argument of gender identity it is valuable to investigate studies of Intersexed individuals with hormonal or genetic abnormalities which have produced ambiguous genitalia, or those who have been raised in a gender role contradictory to the existence of their genes, hormones or genitals. There can be ambiguity at one or more of the first six developmental levels; chromosome, gonad, foetal hormone, internal sex organs, external sex organs and adolescent hormone level.

There is much confusion and lack of understanding about intersexed persons in today's society. In the various ‘women’s’ magazines stories about Hermaphrodites are interspersed with stories about Transsexuals, leading the uneducated but curious public to believe that perhaps they are one in the same condition which reinforces the myth that Gender Identity Disorders are biologically based.

 |Introduction|   |Intersex Conditions| 

Intersex Conditions

Hermaphrodism

Hermaphrodism is a condition that has been known about, written about and even deified for centuries, perhaps even referred to in the Bible’s mention of eunuchs. Those with this condition will vary in degree of abnormality, depending on how early the condition is diagnosed, success of surgery, and the level of consistency of rearing in accordance with gender of assignment.

True or Pseudohermaphrodites are patients born with genetic defects which result in the development of physical characteristics of both sexes or with ambiguity of sex. True Hermaphrodites have gonads with both male and female elements where Pseudo-hermaphrodites may have gonads of one sex and sex characteristics of another.

Turner's Syndrome

Those with Turner's Syndrome lack one X chromosome (45 XO) and have female external genitalia, ovaries are missing or streaky, they are dwarfed, web-necked, have low posterior balance, a shield chest and are infertile. (Fiedler 1993; Breecher, 1969) Others with this condition have mixed types (45 XO/46XY) They have both male and female features. (Rattnam et al, 1991) One such case was written about in Melbourne’s Sunday Age by a mother who had given birth to a girl with Turner's Syndrome with a percentage XO/Xu/X. She had a penis and one testicle and also a uterus. She will have growth hormone and plastic surgery to construct an artificial vagina but will never be able to conceive children. (Anonymous, 1995)

Klinefelter’s Syndrome

Klinefelter’s Syndrome is characterised by the phenotypes XXY, XXXY, or XXYY. Males with this condition are sterile, have a small penis, testicles and prostate, weak secondary hair, female breasts, no beard and a high voice. (Fiedler, 1993)

Mosaics

Mosaics, or the Sexually Indeterminate are XY/XX and have both ovaries and testes. Woman’s Day recently reported on a story about a nun, Maria Tavares who at 17 impregnated another nun. She was born with both male and female organs and left to decide her sex for herself by her parents, who were later killed in a car accident. After being sent to a convent and having a series of affairs "....she was found to be a man" (Richardson, 1995:20) This story did not give details of the intersex condition, leaving an air of mystery and fascination about yet another tale of androgyny.