Literature about intersex

Intersex, in humans and other animals, describes variations in sex characteristics including chromosomes, gonads, sex hormones, or genitals that, according to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, "do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies".

Intersex people and themes appear in numerous books, comics and magazines. Morgan Holmes describes common representations of intersex people as monsters or ciphers for discussions about sex and gender, while Phoebe Hart contrasts a small number of examples of well-rounded characters with the creation of "objects of ridicule".

Fiction

Intersex representations in fiction

Intersex people have been portrayed in literature as monsters, murderers and medical dilemmas. Characters in award-winning literature include Cal Stephanides in the novel ''Middlesex'' by Jeffrey Eugenides and Max Walker in the novel '' Golden Boy'' by Abigail Tarttelin.

Morgan Holmes, Canadian sociologist and a former activist with the (now defunct) Intersex Society of North America, comments on constructions of intersex people as monsters or ciphers for discussions about sex and gender. Holmes describes her weariness "of writers who had contacted me for a number of years during my intersex-activist days, trying to determine if their proposed ‘hermaphrodites’ could do things like impregnate or have sex with themselves", and how depictions of intersex people are "stalled", reifying "the proper place of traditional visions and modes of masculinity in opposition to femininity" or "beyond and outside the realm of gender altogether"; the character of Annabel/Wayne, in the Canadian novel ''Annabel'' by Kathleen Winter describes a range of media representations, from a small number of examples of well-rounded characters such as Cal Stephanides in the novel ''Middlesex'' by Jeffrey Eugenides to the creation of "objects of ridicule".

Books

The list is organised by the author's surname.

''The Queen's Tiara'' – Carl Jonas Love Almquist

'' The Queen's Tiara'' ( sv, Drottningens juvelsmycke) is a classic Swedish novel by Carl Jonas Love Almquist about a beautiful androgyne, Tintomara.

''Memoirs of a Man's Maiden Years'' – N.O. Body

''Memoirs of a Man's Maiden Years'' describes a childhood and youth of Karl M. Baer

''The World Wreckers'' – Marion Zimmer Bradley

''The World Wreckers'' is a 1971 science fiction novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley in her Darkover series. The book contains a complex sub-plot involving the sexual interactions between a hermaphrodite native species known as the ''chieri'' and humans.

The ''Vorkosigan Saga'' – Lois McMaster Bujold

The ''Vorkosigan Saga'' is a series of science fiction novels and short stories set in a common fictional universe by American author Lois McMaster Bujold. Many novels in the series contain an intersex character, Bel Thorne.

''Jack and his Extra Y'' – Arlie Colvin

''Jack and his Extra Y'' is a children's book for kids with XYY syndrome.

''Kyle and His Extra X and Y'' – Arlie Colvin

''Kyle and His Extra X and Y'' is a children's book for kids with 48, XXYY.

''Gregory and his Extra X'' – Arlie Colvin

''Gregory and his Extra X'' is a children's book for kids with Klinefelter syndrome.

''Elizabeth and her Extra X'' – Arlie Colvin

''Elizabeth and her Extra X'' is a children's book for kids with Triple X syndrome.

''Rokitansky – Alice Darwin''

The novel by Alice Darwin, published in 2014. The story is about three women with MRKH.

''The Looming Fog – Rosemary Esehagu''

The 2006 debut novel by the Nigerian writer, Rosemary Esehagu. The story follows the life of an intersex child as they struggle to live in a pre-colonial village in Nigeria that considers the anomaly an abomination.

''Middlesex'' – Jeffrey Eugenides

''Middlesex'' (2002) by Jeffrey Eugenides is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel narrated by an intersex character who discusses the societal experience of an intersex person. The novel's interrelationship between intersex and incest gave the book a controversial reception from intersex commentators.

''Hermaphrodeity'' – Alan H. Friedman

''Hermaphrodeity'' by Alan H. Friedman was originally published in 1972 and has been republished many times again. ''Hermaphrodeity'' is a grand comedy of gender surprises. Millie, a hermaphrodite, must make a decision in the novel. Boy or girl—choose one. Millie or Willie.

The ''Ilario'' series – Mary Gentle

Mary Gentle used an intersex narrator in '' Ilario: The Lion's Eye'' and its sequel '' Ilario: The Stone Golem'', published in 2007.

''None of the Above'' – I. W. Gregorio

A homecoming queen and champion hurdler finds her life turned upside-down after a diagnosis with androgen insensitivity syndrome in '' None of the Above'' by I. W. Gregorio, a young adult book published in 2015.

''All You Zombies'' – Robert A. Heinlein

''— All You Zombies—'' is a science fiction short story by Robert A. Heinlein, recently adapted in the movie ''Predestination''.

''Us Girls: My Life Without a Uterus'' – Rachael J. Hughes

''Us Girls: My Life Without a Uterus'' is a book about a girl with MRKH.

''The Hermaphrodite'' – Julia Ward Howe

''The Hermaphrodite'' is an incomplete novel by Julia Ward Howe about Laurence, an intersex character raised as a male but whose underlying gender ambiguity often creates havoc in his life. It was probably written between 1846 and 1847.

''Raptor'' – Gary Jennings

''Raptor'' is an historical novel by Gary Jennings set in the late fifth and early sixth centuries. It purports to be the memoirs of an Ostrogoth, Thorn.

''Pantomime'' – Laura Lam

Laura Lam's young adult fantasy novel ''Pantomime'' and its sequel ''Shadowplay'' feature an intersex protagonist named Micah Grey.

''The Left Hand of Darkness'' – Ursula K. Le Guin

''The Left Hand of Darkness'' is a multiple award-winning 1969 science fiction novel by Ursula K. Le Guin. Le Guin's introduction to the 1976 publication of the book identifies ''Left Hand of Darkness'' as a thought experiment to explore society without men or women, where individuals share the biological and emotional makeup of both genders.

''Le saut de l'ange'' – Maud Marin

Autobiographical drama by a French author, Maud Marin. Tells the story of a person with intersex traits who was assigned male at birth and made a transition in later life.

'' Changed'' – T.S. Murphy

Changed is young adult novel about a girl with MRKH.

'' Elizabeth, Just Sixteen'' – Cecilia Paul

'' Elizabeth, Just Sixteen'' is a book about a girl with MRKH.

'' Der Bibelkiller / Natural Red 4'' – Valeska Réon

'' Natural Red 4'' is a thriller about a intersexual coroner.

''2313'' – Kim Stanley Robinson

'' 2313'' is a science fiction novel written by Kim Stanley Robinson. It includes two lead characters, Swan Er Hong and Fitz Wahram, with intersex characteristics.

''Edna's Gift: How My Broken Sister Taught Me to Be Whole'' – Susan Rudnick

''Edna's Gift: How My Broken Sister Taught Me to Be Whole'' is a book about a girl with MRKH.

''The Ministry of Utmost Happiness – Arundhati Roy''

The novel by Indian writer Arundhati Roy, published in 2017. Roy's characters run the gamut of Indian society and include an intersex woman ( ''hijra''), a rebellious architect, and her landlord who is a supervisor in the intelligence service.

''Golden Boy'' – Abigail Tarttelin

Abigail Tarttelin's 2013 novel '' Golden Boy'' is about an intersex teenager. The book has won multiple awards, including a 2014 Alex Award, which recognize the book's appeal to young adult readers.

''Annabel'' – Kathleen Winter

Kathleen Winter

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