Intersex people have bodies that are just a little different. While about 98% of human bodies match up with the two paths of sex development we learn about in sex ed, intersex bodies are extra creative: we have natural differences in our genitalia, chromosomes, gonads, internal sex organs, hormone production and response, and/or secondary sex traits, such as how we grow breasts or body hair.

Some intersex differences are obvious at birth. This puts us at risk in a medical system that can still recommend elective surgeries to “normalize” infant genitalia to parents. The practice seemingly originates from a historical fear that intersex bodily differences mean a person will grow up to be gay or transgender. But intersex people can have any gender and sexuality, just like anyone else. We still have to fight against our bodily integrity being taken from us.

Intersex is a category of experiences. There are many ways to have an intersex body, and not all of them involve surgery or parents finding out at birth. Many people might not even be aware that their bodily experiences fall under the intersex umbrella. As these stories show, many teens are only told medical terminology, and later come to the word “intersex” through finding online resources.

If you are intersex, you can get connected to others via interACT Youth, a group for advocacy and peer support for ages 13-29. You will find that the intersex community is resilient, thriving, and global. There are others out there, waiting to meet new people with love. Here are 9 of their stories.