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For Researchers

UN High-Commissioner for intersex rights

Intersex: When binary notions simply don’t fit

For the scientific community, gender is usually associated with one’s sex and therefore the presence of X and Y chromosomes. However, XX and XY chromosomes are not that simple. There are cases where neither sex organs nor the presence of sex chromosomes dictate sex.

Intersex panel participants at the Health in Difference conference, 2018

Intersex for researchers: Researching intersex populations

We need high quality research that addresses the needs and circumstances of people with innate variations of sex characteristics, and we favour community-based participatory research that recognises and responds to those distinct concerns. The following principles set out our policy and guidance on studying this population.