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Page from the dictionary with the definition ‘clarify (remove errors), he has clarified the misunderstanding’ © Elisabeth Brenker​/​TU Dortmund
#klargestellt

inter (adj.)

In Germany, inter* is a collective term for people with innate characteristics that do not fit into the ⇒ binary societal norm of female or male. The asterisk behind the word "inter" represents the diversity of inter* bodies and identities (Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency n.d.)

At birth, inter* persons do not always know of their intersex identity since it may not become apparent until puberty or adulthood. Various organizations and activists have been advocating for decades to depathologize intersexuality because it is not a disease; rather, it is a natural variation and thus part of gender diversity. Contrary to common practice, only the fewest concomitant symptoms of intersexuality are worthy of medical treatment (Tolmein, n.D.; AWMF 2016, p. 20).

The term "intersexuality" (lat. inter = between; "sexuality" = sexus = ⇒ biological sex) was coined by the geneticist Richard Goldschmidt in 1915 and is still widely used (Goldschmidt 1915, p. 566). It is used especially in medical discourses, where it serves as a foreign appellation. Some inter* persons also prefer this term as a self-designation. The term is criticized for being misleading in the German-speaking world. Thus, intersexuality is often mistakenly understood as sexual orientation. The German translation "Intergeschlechtlichkeit" represents a more understandable paraphrase in the German-speaking world and is perceived by many inter* persons as less pathologizing and is often used by inter* groups themselves  (Ghattas et al. 2016, p. 15).

To this day, many inter* persons are subjected to surgeries in infancy or childhood, unknowingly and without their consent, thus severely limiting their bodily autonomy. The irreversible surgeries are intended to adjust external deviation from a binary gender order and are rarely medically necessary. Not infrequently, complications arise that lead to follow-up procedures. The consequences range from post-traumatic stress disorders to chronic pain. In many cases, affected inter* persons only learn about the interventions in adulthood by reviewing their medical records (Enzenhofer et al. 2012).

For years, various national and international institutions, including the UN, WHO, and Amnesty International have agreed on the harmfulness of nonconsensual surgeries on inter* persons (Inter-NRW n.D.). Medically unnecessary surgery on inter* infants and children is legal in Germany (Kühne 2019). In 2020, the Ministry of Justice introduced a bill to protect children with so-called "variants of gender development," which would prohibit medically unnecessary surgeries on intersex children (BMJV 2020; Federal Government 2020). However, inter* advocacy groups such as "oii Germany," and others, say that the bill does not provide enough protection. The bill still allows parents to agree to unnecessary surgeries on their children after consulting an "expert commission". Adolescents are not even covered by the draft law (IVIM/Oii Germany 2020).

In July 2020, the Self-Determination Act also called for an end to genital-altering surgical procedures on children. The Left Party also proposed compensation for those affected by unwanted sterilization and other inter* specific surgeries
(Queer.de 2020).

Inter* does not always correspond to gender identity. There is as much gender diversity among inter* people as among ⇒ endo-gendered people. Since the reform of the Personal Statute Act in 2013, the gender entry of inter* people in the birth register can be left blank. Since December 2018, in addition to the entries female, male, and no entry, the positive gender entry, "diverse," has been available (LSDV n.D.).

With the I, inter* persons are also represented in the ⇒ LGBTQIA acronym. An Australian study shows that 52% of the inter* community surveyed locate themselves as not ⇒ heterosexual 14; 8% are ⇒ trans* (Jones et al. 2016, p. 76; 176). However, not every inter* person sees themselves as part of the LGBTQIA community. Some see their intersexness as a purely medical phenomenon. In addition, intersex is instrumentalized by some LGBT people for their own goals, e.g., as a critique of the binary gender order, without sufficient attention to the specific problems of inter* people (Zwischengeschlecht.org 2012). As a result, some dyadic queer people understand intersexuality primarily as a theoretical construct rather than as a lived reality of fellow human beings (Koyama et al. 2003, p. 14).

November 8th Intersex Day of Remembrance.

Sources

  • Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency (n.d.): Inter*. Last accessed 15.04.2025.
  • Enzenhofer, B./Mac Gowan, J. (2012): 1-0-1 Intersex. In: an.schläge - The feminist magazine.
  • Ghattas, D. C.; Kromminga, I. A.; Matthigack, E. B.; Mosel, E. T. (2015): Inter* & Language. TransInterQueer project "Anti-discrimination work & empowerment for Inter*" In cooperation with IVIM / OII Germany. Last accessed 11.04.2025.

The glossary is meant to evolve through mutual exchange with readers.

We regularly put the definition of a term up for discussion under #klargestellt. Do you have questions or suggestions? Join the discussion and contribute to a better understanding of the terms! We welcome your feedback to: shk.gleichstellung@verwaltung.tu-dortmund.de

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