I was taught that intersexual was the existence of both female and male organs in the same body. As such it is attributable to complete and partial hermaphrodites, and to some chimeras, but would not include those with AIS, Klinfelter's and the mosaics, Turner's and the mosaics, mosaics in general, Lubs syndrome. However it may include fetal estrogenization and androgenization. It would also tend to exclude hypospadius. Now all of these regardless would tend to fit on the transgender spectrum. I myself am a chimera, 80% XX: 20% XY and an MTF. I do have some unusual physiological attributes, and responses to hormones; seems I have the AR gene on the 20% XY, but I would not be defined as inter-sex, but simply a transgender on the spectrum.

Having a couple of dear friends who have Intersex conditions I have a proprietary interest in anything to do with Intersex, and am in the process of writing a 1500 word essay on it, in Gender Studies for my BA.
If the definition is restricted to the various disorders, such as AIS, CAH etc, then the details of genital form is not really a major consideration in my book. 
It is a somewhat unpopular opinion but given there are a lot more Intersex people than Transsexuals, I tend to regard being TS as a neurological form of Intersex.  As the issues involved are quite different I would like to see I and T leave the GLBTI umbrella, so that our issues can be dealt with away from the whole Gay Marriage debate or whatever.

Karen.

sweet. i like that, karen. i've been thinking the same thing ever since i started to learn about these things

Quote from: Nathine on September 22, 2012, 09:45:21 PM
I was taught that intersexual was the existence of both female and male organs in the same body. As such it is attributable to complete and partial hermaphrodites, and to some chimeras, but would not include those with AIS, Klinfelter's and the mosaics,

There are more than a few runway models including a close friend that are born with AIS. This one has female anatomy and what outwardly appears to be a vagina but with only a depth of a few inches because the rest of the female internal organs were nonexistent. His/her testicles never descended and were taken to be ovaries for some time until a health condition brought it to the attention of the family MD with the help of a gynecologist and a team of specialists and her parents had them removed. She is a very attractive, normal female on HRT. You wouldn't want to tell her that she isn't intersexed after going through all of that and being a long term member of ISNA.

Also: Good thoughts Karen and Taka, I'm with you 100% on that issue!

Quote from: justmeinoz on September 23, 2012, 05:46:34 AM
 
It is a somewhat unpopular opinion but given there are a lot more Intersex people than Transsexuals, I tend to regard being TS as a neurological form of Intersex. 
Karen.

I don't doubt the statistic, but is there a good reference or citation for it? I would love to be able to cite this.

Quote from: justmeinoz on September 23, 2012, 05:46:34 AMI tend to regard being TS as a neurological form of Intersex. 

i always think of it that way as well.

It is difficult to pin down, Jill due to the number of TS people who want to stay stealth.  Anecdotally from a good friend NZ filmmaker and counsellor Mani Bruce Mitchel who is an Intersex person, the occurrence of Intersex conditions is about 1/2000 or possibly more, which is a lot higher than estimates I have seen for TS people. 

As Karina Kelly states in her book, "Making boys, making girls", it is hard to count people who don't want to be found.

Karen.