Intersex
(adj)
Intersex is an adjective and umbrella term referring to individuals with chromosomes, genitalia, or reproductive organs that do not fit into a male/female sex binary. About 1%, or 1 in 100 of the human population has intersex traits (Source). Intersex people may have a range of gender identities.
Example: Being intersex may mean having a mix of chromosomes like XXY instead of XY or XX. Intersex people may also have genitals that are associated with being AMAB (“assigned male at birth”), and hormone levels associated with being AFAB (“assigned female at birth”), or vice versa.
Why it’s important to know this: Staff, especially those who teach Health and Science classes, should be mindful of their language and avoid talking about sex as a binary of only male and female - just as gender identity is not black and white, neither is sex. In a school of 3,000 students, there may be roughly 30 intersex students. That’s about the size of a classroom!