Even though we usually divide bodies into two categories, female and male, what determines sex is actually more complex than we might imagine. It is determined by different characteristics, each of which comes in different variations. This table shows how each body is sexed as the result of a unique developmental process. Imagine a line crossing the different rows of the table, selecting a variation for each characteristic as it passes: a variety of combinations are possible, but not all!
Table of variations in sexual characteristics according to body development (PNG)
Table of variations in sexual characteristics according to body development (JPG)
Table of variations in sexual characteristics according to body development (PDF)
Among this diversity of gendered bodies, we find intersex variations. There are so many of them! In these six diagrams, we find the typical feminized and masculinized bodies, as well as four variations of intersex bodies. Once again, the emphasis is on homology to highlight the similarities between the bodies, while illustrating how they can present themselves in a variety of possibilities. The aim is not to present these bodies in a pathologizing or medical way, but rather to include them in the diversity of ways a body can develop. We encourage you to combine their use with testimonials from intersex people.
Diagrams of a diversity of sexed bodies (PDF)
To cite these documents:
Bouchard-Fortier, M. & Cyr, G. (2023) Diagrams of a diversity of sexed bodies. Anatomie inclusive. Retrieved from: https://anatomieinclusive.org/en/body-diversity