Why are so few books written by intersex writers? To answer that, we need a basic understanding of what intersex is. Intersex is an umbrella term for a number of medical conditions that cause someone to vary from the male/female binary. This can be a change in the shape or formation of sex organs (like myself). It can also be variations in chromosomes. While XX is associated with females and XY is associated with males, some intersex people can have XXY chromosomes. Still others will seem to fit the binary until puberty, when their hormones will tell a different story. Many intersex individuals can easily pass as cisgender. Also, many of us may not even realize we are intersex until we learn the word and start to research it. Even though I always knew about my sex organs and the surgeries required when I was a toddler, I didn’t associate myself with intersex until I was 30. While there are some books (still not many) written about intersex people and characters, there are very few books by intersex authors. Here are some of the best.
Nonfiction Books by Intersex Authors
Poetry Books by Intersex Authors
Fiction Books by Intersex Authors
As an intersex author and poet myself, I’m always on the lookout for more books about and written by intersex authors. If you find some more, be sure to let me know!
