47 XXY, 47 XYY, And All the Other Fun Things That Lead to Intersexed Humans

If you read one article about intersexuality — you know, after you’re done with our Caster Semenya coverage — let it be Colette Bernhardt’s exhaustive Independent piece, which explains all the various chromosomal derivations that cause mixed gender folks, as well as the “solutions” that, popular in the 1960s, appear to be growing out of favor. “No one can predict the future, but it does seem as though our culture is becoming, albeit slowly, less rigid about gender roles, and more accepting of unconventionality in general. It can only be hoped that it’s a sign that we’re beginning to respect, and even learn from, the individuals we would once have relegated to circus sideshows, and later to operating theatres.”