Intersex characters in fiction

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Intersex people are born with sex characteristics, such as genitals, gonads and chromosome patterns, "that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies". [1] Literary descriptions may use older or different language for intersex traits, including describing intersex people as hermaphrodites, [2] neither wholly male or female, [3] or a combination of male and female. [3] This page examines intersex characters in fictional works as a whole, focusing on characters and tropes over time.

Contents

For more information about fictional characters in other parts of the LGBTQ community, see the corresponding pages about asexual, pansexual, non-binary, lesbian, and gay characters in fiction.

Intersex characters and tropes

Intersex people have been portrayed in literature, television and film as monsters, [2] murderers and medical dilemmas. [4] Characters in award-winning literature include Cal Stephanides in the novel Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides, [5] Max Walker in the novel Golden Boy by Abigail Tarttelin [6] and Anjum in the novel The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy. [7]

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. [2] 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"; [2] the character of Annabel/Wayne, in the Canadian novel Annabel by Kathleen Winter, provides an example of monstrous auto-impregnation.

An intersex murderer plot twist trope has been repeated in the TV programs Nip/Tuck (Quentin Costa), Passions (Vincent Clarkson) and Janet King . [8] This has been criticised as hackneyed and offensive, characterizing intersex people as deceitful. [8]

Examples of the medical dilemmas trope include the 2010 Childrens Hospital episode "Show Me on Montana", the 2012 Emily Owens, M.D. episode "Emily and... the Question of Faith", [9] a 2009 episode of House entitled, "The Softer Side", and Masters of Sex episode 3 in season 2, "Fight". [10]

The MTV series Faking It marked the first intersex series regular in a TV show, Lauren Cooper, [11] and also the first intersex character played by an intersex person, Raven. [12] MTV worked with intersex civil society organization interACT on Faking It; the program was praised for creating a groundbreaking character. [13] A Freaks and Geeks story has also been credited as commendable. [13] In film, the character Rebeca Duarte in the movie Both was created by an intersex woman, Lisett Barcellos. [14]

Prominent examples

Apart from the above-mentioned characters, there are various characters that stand out apart from the rest and are more prominent. One of those is Luca Esposito in Astra Lost in Space , the manga and anime of the same name. He is an artist and talented engineer on board the Astra, who was raised as and mostly identifies as a boy, and comes out as intersex halfway through the story, in the episode "Secret," not considering himself a man or a woman. [15] His characteristics imply he most likely has Klinefelter's or a milder type of Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, and was described by Michele Liu of Anime News Network as "unique" since Luca is a main character which is born intersex rather than "altered by sci-fi space diseases or external influence," with Liu also describing Luca as bisexual. [16] While there were intersex characters like Ryo Asuka in Devilman Crybaby [17] and Izana Shinatose in Knights of Sidonia , [18] there are three other series with notable characters. They are Crimvael "Crim" in the controversial series Interspecies Reviewers , Iena Madaraba in Seton Academy: Join the Pack! , Ruby Moon in Cardcaptor Sakura , and Stevonnie in Steven Universe . Crim is a well-endowed intersex angel with a broken halo, that has male and female genitalia, as noted throughout the series. [19] Despite his feminine appearance, he chooses to identify as male upon meeting Stunk & Zel in the first episode, to avoid them trying anything perverted on him. As for Iena, also known as Yena, she is a spotted hyena with male genitalia and is confused about her true gender & sexuality. Although she later finds out that she is biologically female, she still allows others to refer to her with either gender pronoun in episodes such as "The Wild Habits of a Troubled Animal." [20] Ruby, on the other hand, has no biological sex.[ citation needed ] and Stevonnie, a fusion of both Steven and Connie, has a gender which is difficult to describe, [21] Series creator Rebecca Sugar describes it as the "living relationship between Steven and Connie." [22] Stevonnie is commonly referred to with gender neutral pronouns (such as the singular they), while male and female characters seem to be physically attracted to Stevonnie. [23]

Comics have their own intersex characters as well. For instance, Comet, [24] and Comet later began relationship with Blithe, since she loved both their forms (revealing that Blithe is bisexual). [24] [25] Desire, [26] and Rebis [27] are intersex. Additionally Richard Plantagenet, later Richard III of England in Requiem of the Rose King [28] and Ystina, the Shining Knight in Demon Knights [29] are as well. One prominent character is Aggie in Go Get a Roomie! . In this comic, which explores sexual themes, [30] Aggie, Roomie's past lover, reveals she was born intersex in a radio interview. [31] [32] [33]

While there are very few intersex characters in film, specifically Rebeca Duarte in Both , [34] Alex Kraken in XXY [35] and Spork in Spork [36] there are various intersex characters in literature. This includes Cornelius Brunner in The Final Programme [37] the protagonist in 2312 named Swan Er Hong, [38] Ilario in Ilario, A Story of the First History , [39] and Kirsten Lattimer in None of the Above . [40] Also, Bel Thorne in the Vorkosigan Saga [41] and Max Walker in Golden Boy [6] are intersex, to give two examples.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intersex Society of North America</span> Advocacy group for intersex people in the U.S. and Canada

The Intersex Society of North America (ISNA) was a non-profit advocacy group founded in 1993 by Cheryl Chase to end shame, secrecy, and unwanted genital surgeries. Other notable members included Morgan Holmes, Max Beck, Howard (Tiger) Devore, Esther Morris Leidolf and Alice Dreger. The organization closed in June 2008, and has been succeeded by a number of health, civil and human rights organizations including interACT.

Sex assignment is the discernment of an infant's sex, usually at birth. Based on an inspection of the baby's external genitalia by a relative, midwife, nurse, or physician, sex is assigned without ambiguity in 99.95% of births. In the remaining cases, additional diagnostic steps are required and sex assignment is deferred. Sex also may be determined prior to birth through prenatal sex discernment.

<i>Middlesex</i> (novel) 2002 novel by Jeffrey Eugenides

Middlesex is a Pulitzer Prize–winning novel by Jeffrey Eugenides published in 2002. The book is a bestseller, with more than four million copies sold since its publication. Its characters and events are loosely based on aspects of Eugenides' life and observations of his Greek heritage. It is not an autobiography; unlike the protagonist, Eugenides is not intersex. The author decided to write Middlesex after reading the 1980 memoir Herculine Barbin and finding himself dissatisfied with its discussion of intersex anatomy and emotions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hermaphrodite</span> Sexually reproducing organism that produces both male and female gametes

A hermaphrodite is a sexually reproducing organism that produces both male and female gametes. Animal species in which individuals are of different sexes, either male or female but not both, are gonochoric, which is the opposite of hermaphroditic.

Futanari is the Japanese word for hermaphroditism, which is also used in a broader sense for androgyny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intersex</span> Atypical congenital variations of sex characteristics

Intersex people are individuals born with any of several sex characteristics including chromosome patterns, gonads, or genitals that, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, "do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies".

Morgan Holmes is a Canadian sociologist, author, and a professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario. She is also an intersex activist and writer, and former member of Intersex Society of North America. Holmes participated in the first public demonstration by intersex people, now marked by Intersex Awareness Day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Films about intersex</span>

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 is a part of nature and that is reflected in some representations of intersex in film and other media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Literature about intersex</span>

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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Television works about intersex</span>

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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intersex human rights</span> Human rights for intersex people

Intersex people are born with sex characteristics, such as chromosomes, gonads, 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."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stevonnie</span> Fictional character

Stevonnie is a fictional character in the animated series Steven Universe and Steven Universe Future, created by Rebecca Sugar. A "fusion" of the protagonist Steven Universe and his friend Connie Maheswaran, Stevonnie has the appearance of an androgynous young adult. First introduced in the episode "Alone Together", Stevonnie only appears occasionally in the series and once in the limited epilogue series, Steven Universe Future.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legal recognition of intersex people</span>

Intersex people are born with sex characteristics, such as chromosomes, gonads, or genitals that, according to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, "do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discrimination against intersex people</span>

Intersex people are born with sex characteristics, such as chromosomes, gonads, 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". "Because their bodies are seen as different, intersex children and adults are often stigmatized and subjected to multiple human rights violations".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of intersex history</span> Overview of notable events in the timeline of intersex history

The following is a timeline of intersex history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intersex rights in the United States</span> Overview of intersex peoples rights in the United States of America

Intersex people in the United States have some of the same rights as other people, but with significant gaps, particularly in protection from non-consensual cosmetic medical interventions and violence, and protection from discrimination. Actions by intersex civil society organizations aim to eliminate harmful practices, promote social acceptance, and equality. In recent years, intersex activists have also secured some forms of legal recognition. Since April 11, 2022 US Passports give the sex/gender options of male, female and X by self determination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intersex rights in the United Kingdom</span> Overview of intersex peoples rights in the United Kingdom

Intersex people in the United Kingdom face significant gaps in legal protections, particularly in protection from non-consensual medical interventions, and protection from discrimination. Actions by intersex civil society organisations aim to eliminate unnecessary medical interventions and harmful practices, promote social acceptance, and equality in line with Council of Europe and United Nations demands. Intersex civil society organisations campaign for greater social acceptance, understanding of issues of bodily autonomy, and recognition of the human rights of intersex people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intersex people in the United States military</span>

The regulations regarding the service of intersex people in the United States Armed Forces are vague and inconsistent due to the broad nature of humans with intersex conditions. The United States Armed Forces as a whole does not officially ban intersex people from service but does exclude many based on the form of their status. Policies regarding all intersex people are not addressed formally although depending on the type of sex variation some intersex people are allowed to serve. The United States military and their requirements for service makes it so they are frequently in a unique predicament when it comes to intersex bodies. With their position of needing to discern between male and female bodies, they are exposed to a broad variety of people, such as those who are intersex whose bodies may not match either classification and are more difficult to make decisions on. This ambiguity leads to confusion regarding military medical, behavioral, and legal laws.

Non-binary or genderqueer is a spectrum of gender identities that are not exclusively masculine or feminine‍—‌identities that are outside the gender binary. Non-binary identities can fall under the transgender umbrella, since many non-binary people identify with a gender that is different from their assigned sex. Another term for non-binary is enby. This page examines non-binary characters in fictional works as a whole, focusing on characters and tropes in cinema and fantasy.

References

  1. ↑ United Nations; Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (2015). Free & Equal Campaign Fact Sheet: Intersex (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-03-04.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Holmes, Morgan (August 16, 2007). "Cal/liope in Love: The 'Prescientific' Desires of an Apolitical 'Hermaphrodite'". Journal of Lesbian Studies. 11 (3–4): 223–232. doi:10.1300/J155v11n03_05. ISSN   1089-4160. PMID   17954458. S2CID   41405702.
  3. 1 2 Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Act 2013. Canberra: Australia Parliament. July 2013. Archived from the original on 2016-01-15.
  4. ↑ Carpenter, Morgan (April 8, 2016). "Celebrating intersex firsts on TV". Organisation Intersex International Australia . Archived from the original on June 4, 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-26.
  5. ↑ Gilpin, Sam (September 28, 2003). "Paperback pick of the week: Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides". The Times . London. Archived from the original on February 21, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
  6. 1 2 Thornton, Jeanne (May 21, 2013). "Book Review: 'Golden Boy'". Austin Chronicle . Archived from the original on October 16, 2014.
  7. ↑ Miller, Laura (19 June 2017). "To Overflow Every Division Between Human Beings". Slate.
  8. 1 2 ""Janet King" recap (2.8): Her Majesty The King". After Ellen. May 16, 2016. Archived from the original on May 21, 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-26.
  9. ↑ Guccini, Jill (November 28, 2012). ""Emily Owens, M.D." recap (Ep. 6): God and Gender". After Ellen. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-26.
  10. ↑ ‘Masters of Sex’ Recap 2×3: ‘Fight’ Archived 2014-10-21 at the Wayback Machine , New York Observer, July 28, 2014.
  11. ↑ Covington, Carter (May 13, 2016). "Carter Covington Explains Why MTV Is Ending 'Faking It' With Season 3 (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 16, 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-26.
  12. ↑ Pidgeon Pagonis (2016). "The Significance of MTV's Intersex Representation". Interact Advocates for Intersex Youth. Archived from the original on 2016-05-11. Retrieved 2016-05-21.
  13. 1 2 Peitzman, Louis (September 24, 2014). "Meet Television's Groundbreaking Intersex Character". BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on May 29, 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-26.
  14. ↑ Dunne, Susan (November 3, 2005). "The Taboo Of Intersexuality". Hartford Courant . Archived from the original on October 6, 2014.
  15. ↑ Alverson, Brigid (14 January 2019). "Review: 'Astra Lost in Space,' vols. 1-5". School Library Journal . Archived from the original on November 16, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
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  17. ↑ August, Sinclair (January 17, 2018). "Devilman's Queer Representation Relay". VRV . Archived from the original on July 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  18. ↑ Søraa, Roger Andre (2019). "Post-Gendered Bodies and Relational Gender in Knights of Sidonia". Fafnir – Nordic Journal of Science Fiction and Fantasy Research. 6 (1): 56–59.
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  24. 1 2 Greenberger, Robert (2008). "Comet". In Dougall, Alastair (ed.). The DC Comics Encyclopedia. New York: Dorling Kindersley. p. 86. ISBN   978-0-7566-4119-1. OCLC   213309017.
  25. ↑ Supergirl #60 (September 2001)
  26. ↑ Bender, Hy (1999). The Sandman Companion. DC Comics. p. 243. ISBN   978-1-56389-465-7.
  27. ↑ Belonsky, Andrew (September 5, 2010). "Remember Doom Patrol's Queer Characters, Rebis and Coagula?". The Bilerico Project. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-26.
  28. ↑ "Viz Media Adds JoJo's Bizarre Adventures: Battle Tendency, Requiem of the Rose King Manga". Anime News Network . Archived from the original on 11 July 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  29. ↑ Peeples, Jase (November 16, 2012). "Week In Geek: DC Outs First Intersex Superhero, Minnie Mouse Works the Runway, and More". Gay.net. Archived from the original on May 12, 2013. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
  30. ↑ Moondaughter, Wolfen (2013-02-18). "Not Safe for Work". Sequential Tart. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017.
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  33. ↑ Chloé C. ( w ,  a ). "Systema and intersex" Go Get a Roomie!(October 26, 2015).Self-published.
  34. ↑ "Lisset Barcellos film "Both" screens in San Francisco". Intersex Society of North America. May 19, 2005. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015.
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  39. ↑ "Ilario: The Lion's Eye by Mary Gentle". Strange Horizons. 6 March 2007. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013.
  40. ↑ Leary, Alaina (2015). "This Intersex Character Is Leading The Way In YA". Bust. Archived from the original on 2016-04-16. Retrieved 2016-05-26.
  41. ↑ Walton, Jo (January 18, 2012). "A Soldier Like My Mother. Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga". Tor.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-26.
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