Intersex/Gender-Related Constitutiveness: Specific Realities, Specific Norms

Abstract

Life loves diversity and is geared towards variation. Variability and complex systemic strategies are a fundamental prerequisite of life. Already in terms of physical biology all human beings can be regarded as variable or polyvalent in terms of sex/gender. The elements constituting sex occur equally in all bodies. Variable factors on the genetic, cellular as well as organic levels and different hormonal proportions in the life cycle of all human beings condition a more or less developed sex-related specialization. Some are more polyvalent than the average. These are today generally referred to as intersexual. Following traditional scientific standards and categories on the basis of classical dichotomies, disorder is assigned to these large minorities, thus making the physical image treatable. Physical and psychological integrity is violated. Initially excluded from normality, these people are later included again via special arrangements, thus keeping existing scientific and cultural suppositions reproducible.