Hello, I don't think it's too far back that the old word for intersex was used, so I'm guessing most of you know it. The word comes from two Greek God and Goddess, and to me that sounds pretty cool, however, the word is considered offensive, insensitive and misleading so I was just wondering why that is? Sorry if I've caused any offense. Thank-you for answers.
I know which word you're talking about (hermaphrodite, right?). The problem is the terminology- It was a term used to describe someone who had both a penis and a vagina as well (esp in the animal kingdom). But the problem is that most intersex people fit within a binary bodily form, just with different chromosomes, or secondary sex characteristics. It's not accurate as an umbrella term for intersex people, and also fetishizes the idea of it.