[jengoesup]

As someone who lives and has worked with a lot of multiculturalist workers, intersex people, transgender students, and scholars of gender/sexuality and social justice, I can tell you that they would be mightily offended if you called them hermaphrodites instead of intersex. Hermaphrodite carries a certain connotation, intersex does not.

[tropicana]

Originally Posted by Bryan

it is the scientific term.

It's the scientific term, but it's considered a slur in nonscientific contexts and the preferred term is "intersex", even in medical contexts. Jengoesup is right; calling an intersex person a hermaphrodite is just rude.

And, even though I left it out of my first post in this thread, so is referring to an intersex person "she/he". In Semenya's case, she identifies as a woman, so she is a she. Gender-wise, it's not really any of your business what her genotype is or whether she has female genitalia. It's nothing more than basic courtesy to allow people to have their own identity, which extends to gender.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by tropicana

It's the scientific term, but it's considered a slur in nonscientific contexts and the preferred term is "intersex", even in medical contexts. Jengoesup is right; calling an intersex person a hermaphrodite is just rude.

And, even though I left it out of my first post in this thread, so is referring to an intersex person "she/he". In Semenya's case, she identifies as a woman, so she is a she. Gender-wise, it's not really any of your business what her genotype is or whether she has female genitalia. It's nothing more than basic courtesy to allow people to have their own identity, which extends to gender.

intersex around here usually just means tranny. Not a true hermaphrodite, which is not a slam at all. And discussions of actual physiology, which is what should occur around this... ...hermaphrodite is perfectly appropriate.

[tropicana]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

intersex around here usually just means tranny. Not a true hermaphrodite, which is not a slam at all. And discussions of actual physiology, which is what should occur around this... ...hermaphrodite is perfectly appropriate.

Wow. "Tranny" is yet another slur. I think you just missed my point.

"Hermaphrodite", in addition to being unnecessarily offensive to the group of people you're talking about, is unnecessarily simplistic. Never mind that biologists use it; doctors who specialize in this kind of thing don't.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by tropicana

Wow. "Tranny" is yet another slur. I think you just missed my point.

No, didn't miss your point. I just disagree entirely. transvestites are not the same as hermaphrodites at all.

[tropicana]

Yes, you did miss my point. I was talking about using appropriate language when talking about groups of people to which one doesn't belong.

Intersex people are not necessarily transsexuals or transgender. Therefore, "intersex" is not the appropriate terminology to talk about transpeople. Words don't just mean what you want them to mean.

Also, from this second post you made, it's pretty clear that you don't even know what you mean when you talk about transpeople. A transvestite or cross-dresser is a person who dresses in clothes from the opposite gender, sometimes for sexual gratification. A transperson is one who has a gender identity other than that which was given to the person culturally, or the sex that was assigned them at birth.

And "tranny" is a slur, even if you don't think it is. It is othering and rude and diminutive, and it's used against one of the most vulnerable groups of people in Western society.

[OiBoyz]

Originally Posted by tropicana

Words don't just mean what you want them to mean.

Indeed.

Hermaphrodite: An individual or organism possessing both male and female organs, typically including both types of gonads.

You're the one redefining words. And inferring meaning that wasn't there.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by tropicana

Yes, you did miss my point. I was talking about using appropriate language when talking about groups of people to which one doesn't belong.

Intersex people are not necessarily transsexuals or transgender. Therefore, "intersex" is not the appropriate terminology to talk about transpeople. Words don't just mean what you want them to mean.

No, but words have meaning by convention. Around here... intersex refers to transvestites...

Also, from this second post you made, it's pretty clear that you don't even know what you mean when you talk about transpeople. A transvestite or cross-dresser is a person who dresses in clothes from the opposite gender, sometimes for sexual gratification. A transperson is one who has a gender identity other than that which was given to the person culturally, or the sex that was assigned them at birth.

Uh, excuse you, I know EXACTLY the difference, and the use of generic words, such as intersex that can be used to refer to both. (or rather, are used.)

I hear intersex primarily used to refer to one who identifies with a gender whose parts they do not have, which is a whole different ball of wax than a hermaphrodite. (again, using a technical term to describe what one is is not a slur)

And "tranny" is a slur, even if you don't think it is. It is othering and rude and diminutive, and it's used against one of the most vulnerable groups of people in Western society.

And its also the word they have used to describe themselves when I have talked to them...

I make it a habit to refer to people with the terms they use, because the term dujour that is offensive will change in 6 months. It always does.

Take the term "black" where I am now, the kids I work with refer to themselves as black, African American is offensive. In Chicago, the exact reverse is true.

I use the terms people refer to themselves, and guess what, I will continue to do so.

[OiBoyz]

Originally Posted by tropicana

In Semenya's case, she identifies as a woman, so she is a she. Gender-wise, it's not really any of your business what her genotype is or whether she has female genitalia.

Honestly, I don't care. The IAAF is the entity that cares.

[adamwagg]

Let's get back to the original topic of the South African runner thanks.

[Role Modlin]

I don't see what possible good can come from this thread.