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Intersexuality - The Intersexual Spectrum
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Femaleness and Maleness
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As also explained in Course 1, there are three basic aspects of human sexuality: Physical sex, gender role, and sexual orientation. All three are matters of degree.
In the present context, it is sufficient to recall an earlier table summarizing the main points about physical sex:
SEX
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- Sex is defined as a person's femaleness or maleness. It is determined on the basis of five physical criteria: chromosomal sex, gonadal sex, hormonal sex, internal accessory reproductive structures, and external sex organs.
- People are male or female to the degree in which they meet the physical criteria for maleness or femaleness.
- Most individuals are clearly male or female by all five physical criteria. However, a minority fall somewhat short of this test, and their sex is therefore ambiguous (intersexuality).
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